PROCLAIMED BY HIS HOLINESS, POPE PAUL VI ON OCTOBER 28, 1965. 27
The diocesan curia and commissions
The most important office in the diocesan curia is that of vicar general. However, as often as the proper government of the diocese requires it, one or more episcopal vicars can be named by the bishop. These automatically enjoy the same authority which the common law grants the vicar general, but only for a certain part of the diocese, or for a determined type of transaction or for the faithful of a determined rite.
Among the collaborators of the bishop in the government of the diocese are numbered those presbyters who constitute his senate, or council, such as the cathedral chapter, the board of consultors or other committees according to the circumstances or nature of various localities. These institutions, especially the cathedral chapters, should be reorganised wherever necessary in keeping with present-day needs.
Priests and lay people who belong to the diocesan curia should realise that they are making a helpful contribution to the pastoral ministry of the bishop.
The diocesan curia should be so organised that it is an appropriate instrument for the bishop, not only for administering the diocese but also for carrying out the works of the apostolate.
It is greatly desired that in each diocese a pastoral commission will be established over which the diocesan bishop himself will preside and in which specially chosen clergy, religious and lay people will participate. The duty of this commission will be to investigate and weigh pastoral undertakings and to formulate practical conclusions regarding them.
