D. Manuel Neto Quintas, Bishop of the Algarve, will meet, until October 2013 (during the entire pastoral year), with the Pastoral Councils of all parishes in the Algarve.
These bodies have as their main objective the definition of the programming, animation of a parish, as well as the coordination, revision and information of the totality of its pastoral action, in close collaboration with the parish priest.
The first of these meetings took place last Saturday (January 19) and brought together all these bodies from the parishes of the Portimão area, more precisely Lagoa, Monchique and Portimão.
D. Manuel Quintas explained on that occasion that this initiative is motivated by the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. "It is the conciliar doctrine that gave the Church the creation of these collegial bodies", recalled the prelate, who underlined the "new vision of the Church that emerged at the Council" and expressed his "appreciation" for the "service" of those who are part of these parish bodies .
“I hope this meeting will encourage you even more in this service. Your parishes need your cooperation. Your service is essential, especially as you assume that you are not passive but active members”, he added.
The Bishop of Algarve recalled that the parish economic councils – which must consist of a minimum of three and a maximum of six elements chosen by the parish priest – are mandatory.
“They have to be people, even technicians, who help you manage the assets of the parish. The pastoral council is more important than the economic one because it defines the life of the community, but it is not mandatory. The Church's laws oblige the constitution of the economic council to defend and preserve the heritage”, added D. Manuel Quintas, recalling that this organ must be renewed every five years and draw up an inventory of “movable and immovable assets” to forward to the next board.
The prelate recalled that “the Pastoral Council represents the communion of the parish itself” and, therefore, must have “representatives of all services and ministries” of the community.
D. Manuel Quintas explained that these collegiate bodies are consultative, supporting the parish priest, although for some decisions even an “opinion” or “vote” of the councilors may be requested.
“Its purpose is to help the parish priest to make the most correct and opportune decisions for the growth of the community, to stimulate and coordinate the apostolic action”, he maintained, recalling that the members of pastoral councils and economic councils “are people who provide a service that expresses the dimension of a ministerial Church”.
The meeting on Saturday was attended by about 80 people and took place in the hall of the parish of Nossa Senhora do Amparo, in Portimão.
The next meetings with the Parish Pastoral Councils will continue on the following dates:
>>>on February 16 in Almádena for the parishes of the municipalities of Lagos, Vila do Bispo and Aljezur, which belong to the vigararia (ecclesiastical constituency of which several parishes belong) of Portimão;
>>>on March 16, for parishes in the Guia area, vicarage of Loulé;
>>>on April 20th for the other parishes of the Vigararia de Loulé;
>>>on April 27th for the parishes of the vicarage of Faro;
>>>on May 25th for the parishes of the Vigararia de Tavira.
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