dpc
Diocesan Pastoral Council
WELCOME
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In recent years, through the journey of the Archdiocesan Assembly, the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, and the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, the people of the Church in Perth have been invited to rediscover what it means to walk together in faith — to be a listening Church, a discerning Church, and above all, a Christ-centred Church.
It is within this spirit that I welcome you to the webpage of the Archdiocese of Perth Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC).
The Code of Canon Law explains that “a pastoral council is to be constituted which under the authority of the bishop investigates, considers, and proposes practical conclusions, about those things which pertain to pastoral works in the diocese” (can. 511). For the Archdiocese of Perth, this Council represents a renewed expression of our shared mission: to walk together in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd, to return the Church to Christ, and to return Christ to His Church.
The Diocesan Pastoral Council is not merely a structural addition to diocesan life; it is a living sign of synodality — a commitment to prayer, dialogue, and co-responsibility in the life of our local Church. As the Code of Canon Law reminds us, such a council exists “to investigate, consider, and propose practical conclusions about those things which pertain to pastoral works in the diocese.” In doing so, it ensures that the diverse voices of our community — clergy, religious, and laity — contribute to shaping our shared mission of proclaiming Christ’s love to the world.
Through the Diocesan Pastoral Council, we will continue to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church in Perth. Its work will be grounded in the scriptural vision of Ephesians 4:12:
“...unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ.”
This unity is not uniformity but a communion of hearts and minds, working together for the good of all. It invites each of us to participate — to bring our faith, our gifts, and our lived experiences into conversation with the Gospel and with one another.
I warmly encourage members of our Archdiocese to prayerfully consider whether you may be called to serve as a member of the DPC. This is a ministry of listening and discernment, rooted in humility and animated by hope.
As we take this important step forward in the life of our Archdiocese, I ask you to join me in praying that the Diocesan Pastoral Council will help us to grow as a community that truly walks together — listening to the Spirit, serving one another, and building up the Body of Christ.
May the Lord bless this endeavour, and may Our Lady, Help of Christians, guide us on the journey.
Yours Sincerely in Christ
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB
VIDEO
Diocesan Pastoral Council Prayer
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Jesus, Lord of our history, We live in times of fear and division. Send us Your Spirit, Lord, to rekindle within us the desire to Give us the courage to seek paths of dialogue, Make us builders of bridges, Amen.
St Mary Help of Christians, pray for us. |
Diocesan Pastoral Council Logo
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The logo for the Archdiocese of Perth Diocesan Pastoral Council is a visual reflection of our shared journey of synodality - walking together in faith as one body of Christ. The interweaving shapes and colours represent a pathway, evoking movement and dialogue among the People of God. Each curve suggests openness, encounter, and communion — essential elements of the Synodal journey that Pope Francis has called the global Church to embrace. The colours symbolise the diversity and vitality of the Perth Catholic community, united under one mission: to listen, discern, and walk together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The flow of the design mirrors Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB’s call for the Church in Perth to “walk together in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd”, and to ‘Return the Church to Christ”, and “Return Christ to His Church”. This vision roots the logo in a distinctly Christ-centred identity, calling every person of the Archdiocese to reflect the compassion and leadership of Jesus Christ in daily life. At its heart, the design is inspired by the scriptural call from Ephesians 4:12: “...unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ.”
Context and Relevance The logo also connects deeply with the Archdiocesan Assembly, the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia, and the Synod on Synodality. Each of these moments in the Church’s journey has emphasised the importance of listening to one another and to the Holy Spirit. The DPC logo symbolises the ongoing fruits of these gatherings - a Church that listens, dialogues, and acts together. In this way, the logo stands as a living symbol of hope and renewal, reminding all who see it that the journey of faith is one we undertake side by side — guided always by Christ, the Good Shepherd, who leads us on the path of communion, participation, and mission.
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Final Report
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The Diocesan Pastoral Council Implementation Advisory Group (DPCIAG) was appointed by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB following the completion of the Archdiocese of Perth Diocesan Assembly which was held on Saturday, 13 July 2024. Included in its terms of reference was the development of a Final Report to guide that outlines its work and recommendations.
Click Here to Download the Final Report
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Statutes
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The Archdiocese of Perth has a history of collaborative governance and leadership, which now includes the establishment of an Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council is understood as an expression of synodality in the life and mission of the local Church of Perth. The Code of Canon Law explains that “a pastoral council is to be constituted which under the authority of the bishop investigates, considers, and proposes practical conclusions, about those things which pertain to pastoral works in the diocese” (can. 511).
Click Here to Download the Statutes
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Member Role Description
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This is a voluntary role, appointed by the Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth. The final selection will be made by Archbishop Costelloe after receiving recommendations from a nomination committee. Key Areas and Responsibilities The work of each member is always in the context of faith, prayer, listening, discernment, and a commitment to synodality to: a. participate in the process of communal discernment and actively contribute to all aspects of the Diocesan Pastoral Council meetings; b. attend meetings and participate in the practices of listening and dialogue, spiritual conversations and communal reflective sharing; c. preparing in advance by reading the information provided, encouraging, and enabling the individual contribution of fellow members. Essential Knowledge, Skills & Attributes a. Commitment to the faith, life and ministries of the Catholic Church in Australia and the mission of God. b. Ability to work in a team of diverse people and collaborate to find solutions to achieve a shared objective. c. Practical experience within the pastoral life of the Catholic Church. d. An ability and willingness to actively participate in a range of meetings. Click Here to download the Member Role Description |
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Expressions of Interest
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Pope Francis continually encouraged us on the synodal path and to deepen our reflection on the ways we can participate in the Church. “In the synodal Church the whole community, in free and rich diversity of its members, is called together to pray, listen, analyse, dialogue, discern and offer advice on taking pastoral decisions which correspond as closely as possible to God’s will”. This is a call inviting us to participation and co-responsibility based on our Baptism. In light of this, Archbishop Costelloe invites expressions of interest from prospective members for the Archdiocese of Perth Diocesan Pastoral Council. Click Here to download the Expression of Interest Form (Digital)
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Information Sessions
A total of six Information Sessions will be held to explain the Diocesan Pastoral Council, Final, Report and Statues.
Applicants must attend one session in conjunction with the Expression of Interest.
Please ensure you RSVP via the Trybooking link.
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Information Session #1 Date: Saturday 8 November 2025 Time: 9.45am to 11.45am Address: St John Paul II Church, Banksia Grove Parish |
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Information Session #2 Date: Wednesday 12 November 2025 Time: 6.00pm to 8.00pm Address: Catholic Pastoral Centre, Highgate RSVP: https://www.trybooking.com/DGNUN
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Information Session #3 Date: Saturday 15 November 2025 Time: 9.45am to 11.45am Address: Good Shepherd Church, Lockridge Parish RSVP: https://www.trybooking.com/DGNVB
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Information Session #4 Date: Saturday 22 November 2025 Time: 9.45am to 11.45am Address: Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Rockingham Parish. RSVP: https://www.trybooking.com/DGNVC
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Information Session #5 Date: Saturday 6 December 2025 Time: 9.45am to 11.45am Address: St Joseph’s Church, Northam Parish. RSVP: https://www.trybooking.com/DGNVN
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Information Session #6 Date: Saturday 21 February 2026 (Revised Date) Time: 9.45am to 11.45am Address: St Mary’s Church, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Parish RSVP: https://www.trybooking.com/DGPTU
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Definitions
Code of Canon Law
The Code of Canon Law is the official collection of laws that govern the Catholic Church. It provides norms on how the Church is structured, the rights and duties of the faithful, the sacraments, and the governance of dioceses and parishes. For Latin-rite Catholics, the 1983 Code of Canon Law (revised by St John Paul II) is the authoritative reference.
Synodality
Synodality refers to the way of being Church that emphasises journeying together in communion, participation, and mission. It is rooted in listening, dialogue, and shared responsibility among all the faithful, guided by the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis has highlighted synodality as a defining path for the Church in the third millennium.
Synodal
Synodal describes the actions, attitudes, or processes that embody a spirit of listening, dialogue, and co-responsibility in the life of the Church. For example, a synodal process is one where decisions are approached prayerfully and inclusively.
Conversations in the Spirit
This is a structured process of prayerful listening and dialogue used in synodal gatherings. Participants reflect silently, listen deeply to one another, and then share insights guided by the Holy Spirit. The method fosters discernment, communal reflection, and respectful dialogue, helping the Church to hear the voice of the Spirit through its members.
Discernment
In the Catholic tradition, discernment is the prayerful process of seeking God’s will in a particular situation. It involves attentive listening to scripture, prayer, spiritual guidance, and the voices of the community, with the aim of making decisions aligned with the Gospel and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC)
A Diocesan Pastoral Council is a consultative body established in a diocese under the authority of the bishop. It gathers clergy, religious, and lay people to investigate, consider, and propose recommendations on pastoral matters. Its purpose is to support the bishop in discerning and planning for the life and mission of the local Church.
Diocesan Assembly
A Diocesan Assembly is a gathering of clergy, religious, and lay representatives from across a diocese to pray, listen, and discern together the pastoral priorities of the local Church. It is often convened to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing the community and to inform the bishop’s pastoral planning.
Plenary Council
A Plenary Council is the highest formal gathering of the Catholic Church in a country or region, with authority to make binding decisions on pastoral and disciplinary matters. In Australia, the Fifth Plenary Council (2018–2022) engaged the whole Church in prayer, listening, and discernment, resulting in decrees that now guide the mission of the Church in the nation.
Synod of Bishops on Synodality
This is a global gathering of bishops (with participation from other members of the faithful) called by Pope Francis to reflect on the theme of synodality itself. Its aim is to help the Church embrace synodality as its way of life and mission, ensuring participation, communion, and co-responsibility at all levels.
Diocesan Pastoral Council Statutes
The statutes of a Diocesan Pastoral Council are the formal rules that define its purpose, membership, structure, and functioning. They specify how members are chosen, the length of service, meeting protocols, and the scope of the council’s role in advising the bishop.
Ecumenical
Ecumenical refers to initiatives and efforts aimed at promoting unity and cooperation among different Christian denominations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Diocesan Pastoral Council?
A Diocesan Pastoral Council is body appointed by the Archbishop or Bishop of a Diocese to provide him with advice on the pastoral needs of the Archdiocese or Diocese.
Who appoints members to a Diocesan Pastoral Council?
The Archbishop or Bishop of a Diocese appoints the members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council.
What process will be used to appoint people to the Diocesan Pastoral Council?
A series of information sessions will be conducted in the Archdiocese to provide detailed information about Diocesan Pastoral Councils. Following this people will be able to complete an Expression of Interest. Once these have been received, a panel will short list and interview applicants and make recommendations to the Archbishop for his approval.
Who is eligible to become a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council?
Members of the Christian faithful, clerics, members of institutes of consecrated life, and especially members of the lay faithful, who are in full communion with the Catholic Church are eligible to become members.
What type of person are you looking to become a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council?
The aim is to have people from a broad section of the community, with a diversity of dispositions, skills, backgrounds and interests serve on the Diocesan Pastoral Council.
Members will not represent a particular interest group or organisation but will be expected to look to serve the best interests of all members of the community.
How can I register my interest in becoming a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council?
Prospective members need to complete an Expression of Interest Form.
ARCHDIOCESAN ASSEMBLY
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The 2023-2024 Perth Archdiocesan Assembly is the first of its kind for our Archdiocese. Announced by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB in April 2023, it was launched on Trinity Sunday 4 June 2023 at St Mary’s Cathedral. The Assembly was held on 13 July 2024 with a day of formation being held on the 23 September 2023 in preparation for the Assembly. Its focus was primarily on the establishment of a Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) and how a DPC could reflect the process of synodality asked for by Pope Francis. It would enable the Archdiocese to address one of the final decrees of the Fifth Plenary Council of the Catholic Church in Australia. Delegates were called from across the Archdiocese including priests, deacons, parishioners, representatives from Catholic Religious Western Australia and nominees from the many organisations and agencies involved in the work of the Church in Perth. Click Here to find out more
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