By Lani Wong
Special to the Herald
Many Catholics are familiar with parish pastoral councils, but few know about the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the important role it plays in the life of the Church in Hawaii.
The DPC is a consultative body that brings together clergy, religious and lay faithful from across the Diocese of Honolulu to advise the bishop on matters affecting the pastoral life and mission of the local Church.
The council is one way the Diocese of Honolulu puts into practice the vision of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), which stressed that the Church is the people of God journeying together, with each person contributing their gifts to the work of evangelization and service. Given this emphasis on collaboration in the Church’s mission, diocesan pastoral councils are also provided for in the Code of Canon Law (cc. 511-514).
Unlike a governing board, the DPC does not establish diocesan policy. Instead, it serves as an advisory body that reflects the experiences, concerns and hopes of Catholics from diverse communities, ministries, cultures and islands. Through listening, discussion and collaboration, members help the bishop discern pastoral priorities and initiatives that strengthen the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel.
The council’s 16 members represent a broad cross-section of the Diocese of Honolulu.
In addition to the bishop and vicar general, who are ex-officio members, the council also includes one layperson from each of the diocese’s vicariates and islands — Maui; Kauai; East Hawaii island; West Hawaii island; Molokai/Lanai; and East Honolulu, West Honolulu, Windward Oahu, Central Oahu and Leeward Oahu — one priest representing the Presbyteral Council, one deacon representing the deacon community, one representative from the Leadership Association of Religious Communities and one youth and young adult representative.
Members offer a range of perspectives from parish life, education, social ministry, evangelization, faith formation, stewardship and other areas of diocesan life.
During meetings, the council prays together, reviews pastoral issues, studies emerging needs and discusses ways the diocese can better serve God’s people. Topics may include evangelization, vocations, youth and young adult ministry, family life, Catholic education, outreach to those in need and the implementation of diocesan pastoral plans.
The work of the DPC reflects the Church’s commitment to synodality — a way of journeying together by listening attentively to the Holy Spirit and to one another. While the bishop remains the chief shepherd and decision-maker for the diocese, the council provides valuable insight that helps ensure pastoral decisions are informed by the lived experiences of the faithful throughout Hawaii.
Overall, the DPC exists to help the Diocese of Honolulu fulfill its mission: to bring people into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and to build vibrant communities of faith that witness to God’s love in every corner of the state.
Catholics are encouraged to pray for the members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council as it carries out this important ministry of service, discernment and collaboration in support of the Church’s mission in Hawaii.