Report captures history of diocesan pastoral councils in Australia

Dr Damian Gleeson has written a report on the history of diocesan pastoral councils in Australia. Such councils were formed in various places following the Second Vatican Council as one way in which laity could share with priests and religious in promoting the life and services of the Church. In our diocese of Ballarat, the first diocesan pastoral council began in 1994. Dr Gleeson’s report refers to our experience and that of other dioceses. 

I encourage you to read the report to see what factors have helped councils work effectively. We can learn from this history as we look to develop our diocesan pastoral council in a way that will serve our diocese well in the years ahead.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Bishop Paul Bird

The new report is the first on the history of diocesan pastoral councils in Australia. The report is part of a suite of resources prepared or being prepared to help consider the place and role of diocesan and parish pastoral councils in the life of the Church in Australia now and in the future.

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