CHARTER
for the
Diocesan Pastoral Council of the Diocese of Colorado Springs

Approved: February 28, 1995
Updated: 1-98, 12-98, 1-99, 3-11-00, 3-15-03; 9-11-04

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this body will be the Diocesan Pastoral Council of the Diocese of Colorado Springs, commonly recognized as the DPC.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITY

The purpose of the DPC is to prayerfully investigate matters pertaining to pastoral activitiesi, weigh them carefully, and set forth to the Bishop practical recommendations concerning them so as to promote conformity of the life and actions of the People of God with the Gospel. (CD27) ii

As a communicative iii and “collegial” iv body, its purposes and responsibilities are further explained as follows:

SECTION I: To accept responsibility as a consultativev body to the Bishop in a spirit of collegiality for the total mission of the Church in our diocese, and to support the Bishop through planning for the common good.

SECTION 2: To operate within the broader framework of the teachings and laws of the Universal Church, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and our diocese.

SECTION 3: To act as an authentic representativevi voice of the People of God-- lay, religious, and clerical-- to their Bishop, through intentional observation and active listening.

SECTION 4: To provide an honest and open forum for dialogue and communication regarding diocesan pastoral needs among the Bishop, clergy, religious, and laity.

SECTION 5: To serve as a functional model for parish and regional pastoral councils and to encourage continuous and coordinated pastoral planning throughout our diocese.

SECTION 6: To advise the Bishop in the ongoing prioritization of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan for the annual budgeting process.

SECTION 7: To periodically hold diocesan assemblies as a forum for mutual exchange of information to guide the activities of the DPC.

SECTION 8: To form a united voice with the Bishop after full and free discussion, in speaking publicly to contemporary religious, social, political, and economic issues with ethical and moral implications.

SECTION 9: To initiate and support with the Bishop positive action for the common good of the Church, of other religious bodies, and of the civil community

SECTION 10: To be a visible sign of the unity of the People of God in the Church of the Diocese of Colorado Springs.

SECTION 11: To collaborate and cooperate with other consultative bodies, agencies, and events in our Diocese. (Change 2, 12/98)

SECTION 12: To recognize the importance of personal and communal prayer, making prayer an integral part of the life of the Council.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1: Qualifications — The People of God are called to the important ministry of furthering the faith growth and mission of this diocesan community and should have:

• an awareness of their call to holiness in Christ Jesus,
• openness to the Holy Spirit working in and through others,
• an understanding of the parish as community and a center for spiritual growth and apostolic formation where people become enabled to serve one another and the Gospel needs of the Church and world community,
• an understanding of their role in the Church and evidence of their past involvement in parish or Church life,
• recognition of the relationship of our Diocese to the People of God and the necessity of ongoing communication within the larger church,
• a willingness to collaboratively work with the Bishop and other DPC members in prioritizing direction for the diocese,
• an understanding of the Region as a method and structure to become more effective stewards of parish resources, a willingness to acquaint themselves with their responsibilities as outlined in the teachings of Vatican Council II (Vatican Council H, Volume 1, Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church Council of Priests and Pastoral Council, paragraph 16 and 17, pages 60 1-2, 1998 Revised Edition),
• registration in a parish of our Diocese for at least one year, and
• a willingness to participate in an orientation and formation process for the DPC.

SECTION 2: Representation - The DPC will reflect the many faces of the diocese with a membership of 22, with representation from each of the six regions and among qualified individuals as follows (Change 1, 1/98; Change 4, 3/00; Change 6, 9/04)

twelve lay/non-religious members	12
two lay/religious members (sisters and/or brothers)	2
two ordained members (one diocesan priest/one religious priest)	2
one ordained member (permanent deacon)	1
two lay members (appointed by the Bishop)	2
Ex-Officio/Bishop	1
Ex-Officio/Vicar General	1
Ex-Officio/Director of Pastoral Services	1
	22

Other Ex-officio members may be appointed by the Bishop to represent Diocesan Commissions, such as the Worship Commission or the Hispanic Ministry Task Force. DPC members may sit as ex-officio representatives on other diocesan commissions to gain insight to bring to DPC deliberations. (Change 6, 9/04)

SECTION 3: Terms - All members, other than ex-officio, will have three-year terms. Each term will begin in June (Change 6, 9/04) and expire in June three years later. Members, other than ex-officio, can serve no more than two consecutive terms.

One-third of the DPC membership will normally turn over each year.

SECTION 4: Vacancies occur upon resignation, dismissal, or death. The Discernment Committee may recommend to the Bishop a candidate to complete the remaining portion of a vacated term, drawing upon recent candidates who discerned for membership but who were not selected, if possible (Change 6, 9/04). Two unexcused absences in the course of any DPC year will warrant dismissal of any member.

SECTION 5: Selection will occur annually in the spring, completed by May 15th, to replace one-third of the DPC. The Discernment Committee of the DPC will be responsible for promoting the discernment/selection process, encouraging applications, and facilitating a discernment process in order to recommend candidates for the Bishop to appoint. New members will be invited to the June meeting for a formal induction at which time members completing their terms of service with the DPC will be recognized.

ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS

SECTION 1: Frequency - Regular meetings will be held quarterly, typically on the first weekend of September, December, March, and June, to consist of Friday evening through late afternoon on Saturday. A schedule of meeting dates will be made available at least one year in advance. All regular meetings will be open to any member of the diocese (Change 6, 9/04). Meeting dates will be posted under the Bishop’s Calendar in the Catholic Herald (Change 6, 09/04). The Bishop and the DPC reserve the right to call and hold executive sessions that are confidential.

SECTION 2: Travel expenses - The Diocese will pay expenses for lodging, meals, and travel of council members.

SECTION 3: Special Meetings may be called by the Bishop at any time and/or requested in writing by either the Executive Committee or, by one-fourth of all the members. At least two weeks advance notice will be given for special meetings.

SECTION 4: Quorum for making recommendations requires a simple majority (Change 6, 9/04) of the DPC membership.

SECTION 5: Consensusvii will be the process used for developing recommendations drawing on the shared wisdom of the group. Consensus is reached after all aspects of an issue and possible alternatives have been heard and considered, with time taken for prayer, reflection, and the DPC to come to a general agreement on recommendations to be made.

SECTION 6: Reporting - Summary Notes of each meeting will be sent to each member of the DPC.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES (Change 6, 9/04)

SECTION 1: President - Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado Springs.

SECTION 2: Officers - Chair and Vice-Chair terms will be one year and begin at the September meeting (Change 2, 12/98). Eligibility requires having served at least one year on the DPC. Election of officers will be by a prayerful election or discernment processviii of the group at the September meeting. The discernment process will be facilitated by the Director of Pastoral Services (Change 4, 3/00). The Chair normally conducts meetings; the Vice Chair conducts meetings at the request of (Change 6, 9/04) or in the absence of the Chair.

The duties of the Chair will be to: (Change 3, 1/99, Change 6, 9/04)

1. conduct DPC meetings or to arrange for a facilitator to conduct the meetings
2. in consultation with members of the Executive Committee, the Chair will:
   1. approve the agenda
   2. call special meetings with the approval of the Bishop
   3. coordinate the work of the Standing Committees

The duties of the Vice-Chair will be to: (Change 3, 1/99, Change 6, 9/04)

1. assume the duties of the Chair in his or her absence
2. coordinate the work of the Ad-Hoc Committees

The duties of the Director of Pastoral Services will be to: (Change 4, 3/00)

1. facilitate meetings when called upon by the Chair or Vice-Chair
2. assume responsibility for the Summary Notes of each meeting
3. send Summary Notes to all members within ten days following each meeting
4. serve as secretary to the Executive Committee
5. be responsible for all correspondence of the council
6. prepare the agenda and ensure delivery prior to the meeting

SECTION 3: Executive Committee will consist of the Bishop, Director of Pastoral Services, Chair, Vice-Chair, and Committee Chairs. The Executive Committee will perform functions necessary to provide continuity in the work of the DPC. This will include preparing the agenda for the meetings and to engage in, or direct, the research necessary for the proper functioning of the DPC.

(Paragraph deleted by Change 2, 12/98)

SECTION 4: Standing Committees (Change 6, 9/04): DPC Executive Committee, DPC Planning Committee, and DPC Discernment Committee.

SECTION 5: Ad-Hoc Committees (Change 6, 9/04) will be created as required by the Executive Committee. The DPC Chairman may (Change 6, 9/04) appoint the Chairs of the Ad-Hoc Committees. A Chair of an Ad-Hoc Committee must have served on the DPC a minimum of one year and will serve as Chair of the selected commission for the length of the task, not to exceed the length of his or her term on the DPC.

Ad-Hoc Committee membership will be appointed by the DPC Chair in consultation with the Ad-Hoc Committee Chairs in reference to their membership needs and the individual members as to their interest for the most effective arrangement for Ad-Hoc committee work.

Ad-Hoc Committee membership can be broadened beyond the DPC membership according to purpose and need. These individuals are considered for their expertise or workload with the Ad-Hoc Committee. These individuals are invited to regular DPC meetings at which they can present or provide input for dialogue but they do not enter the consensus process for developing recommendations. Non-DPC members for Ad-Hoc Committees are appointed by the Ad-Hoc Chairs and their term will be the length of the task not to exceed one year with a one-year renewable appointment.

SECTION 6: DPC Support to Other Diocesan Commissions (Change 6, 9/04): Members of the DPC may serve on and support any of the Diocesan Offices or Commissions on an ex-officio basis, including Finance/Stewardship (for Diocesan Tithe), the Hispanic Ministry Task Force (for Our Lady of Guadalupe or Cinco de Mayo celebration planning, for example), or the Diocesan Planning Task Force.

ARTICLE VI – AGENDAS

The agenda for the next meeting is initially proposed from the previous meeting. Any member of the diocese will be given the opportunity to submit suggestions for items to be placed on the agenda, but said items must be submitted to the Director of Pastoral Services. Supporting documentation must be provided by the individual/group requesting to place an item on the agenda. DPC members who wish to propose items for the agenda must send a copy of their proposal and supporting documentation to the Director of Pastoral Services (Change 6, 9/04) in adequate time for mailing the agenda. The Executive Committee (Change 6, 9/04) will prioritize the agenda in consultation with the Bishop.

Agendas with appropriate supporting documentation will be sent by the Director of Pastoral Services to the DPC members not less than two weeks prior to the meeting.

DPC members may submit proposals for discussion from the floor. The proposal will be dealt with only after scheduled items have been disposed of or will be moved to a future meeting. Exceptions may (Change 6, 9/04) be made by the Bishop or with the consensus of the members present.

ARTICLE VII - FINANCES

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS

The Charter may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the DPC by a consensus of the membership. Notification and supporting documentation of the amendment proposal should be discussed at the meeting prior to the meeting of decision.

ENDNOTES

1. The phrase “pastoral activities” is perhaps better understood in reference to the areas of concern of Pastoral Councils, such as Spirituality, Worship, Ecumenism, Education, Family Life and Youth, Social Concerns, Administration, Stewardship, Missions, Communications, Liturgy and Christian Formation.
2. The general statement of purpose is taken from “Bishops”, Vatican TI, #27, 3.
3. By “communicative” is meant that the members of the DPC especially as selected on a parish and regional base will carry the responsibility of promoting the free flow of dialogue from parishes to the Bishop and to the Diocese and similarly from the Bishop and the Diocese to the parishes. This would seem to necessitate a stronger regional orientation than exists at present, simply because of the limited number of parishes actually having representatives on the DPC.
4. By “Collegial” is meant a body that is in some way representative and that acts in consultation with (and never without) the Bishop.
5. By “consultative” is meant that the Bishop will turn to the DPC for advice in setting up policy statements (for example in the “areas of concern”) in accord with the mission of the Church in the Diocese of Colorado Springs, and will, with them, be the voice of leadership in the Diocese. This consultation clearly means that in a very real way the DPC enters into decision-making process if the diocese. This consultation and subsequent impact on the decision-making never is to obscure the role of Bishop as head of the Church in our Diocese, and as the one person ultimately responsible for making decisions for the good of the Church in our Diocese. Many decisions are made by the “Bishop-in-Council”.
6. By “Representative” is meant not a one-person vote, equal portion per member but rather a real cross section or catholic representation of the Diocese. The Regional base will contribute to this, and it is expected that the Bishop’s appointees will reflect special, less represented groups, (i.e., based upon sex, age, minority status etc.).
7. Consensus incorporates the feelings of the group that: the choice is made in the most acceptable under the circumstances; the decision represents areas of agreement rather than disagreement; no one side of faction has been defeated; each member of the group can live with the final recommendation. This is taken from Parish Pastoral Council Handbook for the Diocese of Colorado Springs, published 1992, page 74.
8. Leadership ministry is a response to the needs of the people— it is a gift that the Lord has called many to exercise for the benefit of others. It must be carefully nurtured, developed, developed, received with thanksgiving, and celebrated. A process of prayerful discernment involves the whole group in prayerfully reflecting on the needs, gifts and people of the group, and on calling them forth for leadership in that community. A prayerful discernment process is designed into a facilitated session by including time for prayer, scripture reading and reflection, plus sharing and dialogue. This is taken from the Parish Pastoral Council Handbook for the Diocese of Colorado Springs published 1992, page 79 and 82.