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Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Lucena: Constitutions |
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PREAMBLE
We, the members of the Diocesan Clergy of the Local Church of Lucena, recognizing that we are constituted in the order of the priest-hood and bound together by an inmate sacramental brotherhood; (1) and that the “unity of our consecration and mission requires our hierarchical union with the order of bishops� (2) and that I a very special way we form one priestly body in this diocese of Lucena, give an institutional expression to this common sharing in the same priesthood (3) and make this collaboration and responsible cooperation of priests with the bishop sincere, human and supernatural (4), do hereby adopt this Constitution and By-Laws the Presbyter Council of the Diocese of Lucena.
CONSTITUTION
Article I: Objectives
The Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Lucena (PCDL) has the following objectives:
1)Promote and insure the on-going formation (doctrinal, spiritual & pastoral) of the clergy;
2)To strengthen unity and harmonious relationship between the bishop and the diocesan clergy and to forge and secure brotherhood within Presbytery; (5)
3)To aid the bishop effectively in the government of diocese through consultation and advise on the clear and distinctly fined aims on the manifold ministries in the diocese, methods on apostolate and the general welfare of the clergy and the apostolate (6).
4)Examine the financial system of the diocese and provide for adequate support for the clerics and the church;(7); and
5)Advise the bishop on the erection, suppression and restoration of parishes. (8)
Article II: Membership
Sect. 1 – The Lucena Presbyterium is composed of all diocesan priests incardinated in the diocese and other priests including religious who are not incardinated but working in the diocese. They all enjoy election rights, both active and passive in the Presbyterial Council. (9)
Sect. 2- The members of the Presbyterial Council are representatives of the diocesan presbyterium in its different age level and ministries, (pastor, curates and those working in the institution), and the different vicariates of the diocese. (10)
Sect. 3 – Members of the Presbyteral Council representing the different vicariates are to be elected by the priests of each vicariates; members representing age levels and ministries are to be appointed by the bishop and others are ex-official members, (Vicars Generals and Episcopal Vicars); total membership will be between 15 to 18 diocesan priests. (11)
Article III: Structural Set Up
Sect. 1 – The presiding officer of the Presbyteral Council shall be the diocesan bishop (12) or his duty appointed representative, ordinarily the Vicar General.
Sect. 2 – The diocesan Chancellor-Secretary shall be the ex-official secretary of the Presbyteral Council.
Sect. 3 – All other offices that may be deemed necessary, including the chairmanship in Committees that may be crated as the need arises shall be filled by the election by and form among the members of the Council.
Article IV: Functions
Sect. 1 – The whole Prebytral Council enjoys a consultative vote in matters brought to its attention and discussed by them with subsequent recommendation. (13) The recommendation of the Presbyteral Council deserve utmost consideration by the bishop.
Sect. 2 – Incase when either universal law of the Church or the Episcopal Conference and even the diocesan bishop may grant deliberative vote to the Presbyteral Council because of exceptional importance of the matter the bishop is obliged to get the consent of the Presbyteral Council. (14)
Sect. 3 – The Presbyteral Council acts validly and lawfully only with the bishop whose authorization alone is required for the publication of decisions mentioned in the two preceding sections. (15)
Sect. 4 - The Presbyteral Council enjoys the right to create committees that will study and make recommendations in special problems or needs of the diocese.
Sect. 5 – The The Presbyteral Council has a right to be furnished a copy of the financial report of the The Presbyteral Council and the Financial Secretary and to make observations and recommendations.
Sect. 6 - The Presbyteral Council has the right to beconsuleted on the erection, suppression and restoration of the parishes.
Sect. 7 - The Presbyteral Council enjoys the right to be consulted on the important matters regarding the re-examination of the financial system in the diocese, including reports of special committees created Ad-Hoc for special needs, and to make recommendations.
Sect. 8 – Seven members of the Presbyteral Council, (three from the elected, two from the appointed and two others from the ex-officio) shall be appointed by the bishop to compose the College of Consulters. (16)
- Aside from those provided by law the College of the Consulters shall be function also as Personnel Aboard in charge of the assignments of priests.
Sect. 9 – The Committees shall have recomandatory function in those specific areas assigned to them.
Article V: Binding Force of the The Presbyteral Council’s Decisions
Except for the specific cases provided in the Sect. 2 of Art. IV giving deliberative vote to The Presbyteral Council, its nature and law the The Presbyteral Council has a consultative vote. Yet, its recommendations carry much weight with the bishop and the utmost consideration should be given to them. Moreover, when these recommendations are approved and promulgated by the authority of the Bishop, they acquired the force of local legislations.
Article VI: Amendments
This Constitutions may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the whole Presbyterium either assembled for this purpose or in writing and subsequently approved by the bishop.
Article VII: Effectivity
This Constitution shall take effect upon its approval by the whole Presbyterium or an absolute majority of its members and confirmation by the bishop. (17)
Article VIII: Cessation
In case the vacancy of the Episcopal See of Lucena the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Lucena Lapses. The College of Consulters, however remains and acts as provided by law. (18)
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