About the Diocesan Pastoral Council

The Diocesan Pastoral Council will work to further the discernment and implementation of recommendations from the Diocesan Assembly and the decrees of the Plenary Council.

The Diocesan Pastoral Council is:

an expression of commitment to the journey of synodality in the Archdiocese of Adelaide;
a major diocesan body which exercises leadership under the authority of the Archbishop by investigating, considering and proposing practical priorities and strategies about the spiritual and pastoral life and activity in the Archdiocese;
a community of dialogue, reflection and discernment which seeks and listens to the voices of all in the local Church and the people of this part of the world;
a consultative body in partnership with other diocesan bodies to support the Archbishop, diocesan leadership and other bodies in their local church leadership roles.

It carries out the key functions:

To work with the Archbishop and Archdiocesan leaders to strategically plan the implementation of the outcomes arising from the 5th Australian Plenary Council and Diocesan assemblies.
To discern and develop, through wide consultation, the vision and mission of the Archdiocese.
To endeavour to identify the challenges and needs of the Archdiocese in its life and mission to this part of the world.
To raise matters which the Council considers to be of spiritual and pastoral concern, and after discernment, to make appropriate recommendations to the Archbishop.
To receive information or briefings on matters deemed to be of significant spiritual and pastoral importance to the people of the diocese.
To review proposals that seek to make changes to the existing structure of parishes within the diocese and provide advice to the Archbishop on their suitability.
To develop and implement strategies and mechanisms for consultation and communication with key councils, commissions, advisory bodies, relevant agencies, (e.g. Council of Priests, Diocesan Finance Council, Parish Pastoral Councils, etc.) as well as schools, parishes and other forms of Catholic communities throughout the Archdiocese.
To convene Diocesan assemblies and provide opportunities for consultation across the Archdiocese.
To ensure the progression, review and reporting of its decisions as well as the provision for communication with and feedback from key councils, advisory bodies and relevant agencies through an executive function of the Council which operates with the assistance of the Pastoral Services Team.
To conduct a review of its purpose and functions every 2 years.

Click here for the full Terms of Reference.

Current Work

Vision and Mission

These Vision and Mission Statements were developed by the DPC following from discernment of the 2021 Diocesan Assembly recommendations and reviewed following the 2022 Diocesan Assembly. These statements will be reviewed annually.
Archdiocese of Adelaide Vision Statement (2022)
The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide is a welcoming, Christ-centred community of believers serving others. As missionary disciples, we are committed to building up the Body of Christ by listening, discerning and growing in the Spirit, journeying together.
Archdiocese of Adelaide Mission Statement (2022)
As followers of Jesus Christ, loved by God, nurtured and formed in community we are called to be:
• Sharers of faith, hope and love
• Builders of bridges
• Healers of broken relationships
• Agents of transformation in our world.
Key Priorities and Action

A working group has been established to develop the work plan to address key priorities and actions for the archdiocese.