In each diocese a presbyteral council is to be established, that is, a group of priests which, representing the presbyterium, is to be like a senate of the bishop and which assists the bishop in the governance of the diocese according to the norm of law to promote as much as possible the pastoral good of the portion of the people of God entrusted to him (Can. 495 §1).It is an elected body of priests organized to assist the Bishop. The priests are elected according to a constitutional norm, and the council itself is directed by an executive board together with a group of officers who are elected by the members. The function of the priests’ council itself is directed by an executive board together with a group of officers who are elected by the members. The function of the priests’ council is not to substitute for the bishop but to advise him for a more efficient and agreeable direction of the diocese.
