Archdiocesan Councils

Consultative Councils of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg

Parish Councils

Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)

The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Members are selected or elected to advise the pastor on pastoral issues and to share in the responsibility for visioning and strategic pastoral planning for the parish.

Norms for Parish Pastoral Council, Archdiocese of Winnipeg, March 2005 (120 KB)

Parish Finance Council (PFC)

The Parish Finance Council (PFC) Members are appointed by the pastor on the basis of their expertise. Their role is to advise the pastor in the administration and stewardship of parish finances, budget, parish facilities and long-range financial development.

Deanery Pastoral Councils (DPCs)

The Deanery Pastoral Council is comprised of the Dean (or designate) and Pastoral Council Chairs (or designates) from each of the parishes within the deanery. The purpose of the Council is to establish an effective means of consultation and communication with people at the parish level. Deanery councils consider regional issues that transcend single parishes and wherever possible, seek solutions at that level. One member of each Deanery Pastoral Council will have a seat on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council.

Archdiocesan Pastoral Council (APC)

The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, presided over by the Archbishop, is a consultative body comprised of elected and appointed laity from each of the five deaneries, as well as representatives of the clergy and religious life. The APC will advise the Archbishop on pastoral issues brought forward from the local levels through the Deanery Pastoral Councils and will provide council for overall pastoral planning in the archdiocese.

The pastoral activity of the Church is aimed at all groups of persons, overlooking no sector or class or those who are to be evangelized or catechetized. It requires the cooperation and coordination of all apostolic labourers, namely priests, religious men and women and the laity. (from the Constitution of the Winnipeg Archdiocesan Pastoral Council)

Membership in the Councils of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg

While membership on each of the above is determined by separate governing laws or constitutions, there are some common elements that are shared by the Parish, Deanery and Archdiocesan Pastoral Councils. For example, members should:

• Be committed to the development of stronger bonds within and among the parish, deanery and diocese;
• Support the philosophy and mission of the archdiocese;
• Work effectively with others in achieving consensus in decisions for the good of the entire faith community;
• Maintain integrity, objectivity and confidentiality;
• Develop the required listening skills in order to discern the needs of the faithful;
• Be committed to preparing for and attending meetings of the Council(s).

© The Archdiocese of Winnipeg