The purpose of establishing the Pastoral Council of the Ordinariate (hereinafter referred to as the Council) is

to carry out more effectively the overall pastoral mission of the Ordinariate in a synodal spirit, ensuring the broader and more practical consultative participation of individuals and institutions involved in pastoral ministry within the territory of the Ordinariate, at the levels of discussing matters of primary importance to the Ordinariate’s mission and making decisions.

The establishment of the Council aligns with the principles of the synodal path adopted by the Catholic Church. Synodality is an expression of the Church’s unity, wherein everyone—bishops, priests, monks, nuns, and the laity—together fulfills the mission entrusted by Christ to proclaim the Gospel, to walk with Christ and with one another in communion and love, along the path of holiness toward salvation.

The Council is established based on the following:

– Canons 272–275 of Article 4 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO),

– The Statute of the “Armenian Catholic Church Community” Religious Organization,

– The necessity to be guided by the experiential and professional counsel of the faithful on the path of addressing pastoral issues, solving problems, and overcoming challenges,

– The necessity for the participation, unity, and maximum solidarity of representatives of as many groups and institutions as possible at the decision-making level,

– The necessity to develop a more unified spiritual and moral character among the communities, families, and individuals across the extensive territory of the Ordinariate.

Provisions

1.The Council, under the leadership and authority of the Bishop, shall study and express its conclusions regarding the pastoral works, issues, and challenges of the Ordinariate. See CCEO, Canon 272

2.The Council is a purely consultative body and does not make decisions; rather, it submits only conclusions, solutions, and project proposals. See CCEO, Canon 273, §1

3.The Council shall consist of clergy, members of religious institutes, and especially lay faithful, in such a way that all institutions, societies, and groups operating within the Ordinariate are represented in the Council to the greatest extent possible. See CCEO, Canon 273, §1, 2

4.Only individuals outstanding in faith, commendable moral character, and virtue may be members of the Council. See CCEO, Canon 273, §4

5.The President of the Council is the Ordinary Archbishop. See CCEO, Canon 275

6.When the Episcopal See is vacant, the Council ceases to exist until the decision of a new Ordinary. See CCEO, Canon 274, §2

7.Only the Ordinary Archbishop may convene meetings of the Council according to pastoral necessities, preside over the meetings, and publish the materials discussed during the meetings. See CCEO, Canon 275

8.Regular meetings of the Council shall be convened once every 6 months.

9.Extraordinary meetings of the Council may be convened at the discretion of the Ordinary.

I hereby approve:                                                                                   

✠ Most Rev. KEVORK NORADOUNGUIAN                                                                                                                              

Titular Archbishop of Sebastia, Ordinary of the Armenian Catholics of Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Eastern Europe

Statutes of the Pastoral Council PDF