Consultation in the Church Today

Bishop Murphy dedicates his weekly Montana Catholic Register “Reflections” column to clarifying the role of the parish council in consultations with the pastor. He cites the revised Code of Canon Law as the theological source for the layperson’s right and duty to participate with pastors in the operation of the parish. Citing a pastoral letter by Bishop John R. Keating, he concludes that a parish council is not a legislative body; rather, it is a group designed to advise and support the pastor in his leadership role.