- The Bishop, by virtue of his office, has ultimate responsibility for the diocese;
- In the exercise of his ministry, the Bishop collaborates with different diocesan groupings, one of which is the Diocesan Pastoral Council. In collaborating with the Diocesan Pastoral Council, as with other consultative bodies, the bishop strives to reach decisions by way of consensus. In doing so, the Bishop and the Diocesan Pastoral Council are modelling what is envisioned for the diocese as a whole, namely, the full participation and shared responsibility of all people for the life of the Diocese;
- The Diocesan Pastoral Council seeks to discern the pastoral needs of the people of the diocese and search for ways to respond adequately to those needs. At all times, the Diocesan Pastoral Council will be faithful to the mission of the Diocese;
- The Diocesan Pastoral Council establishes priorities, plans pastoral initiatives and devises appropriate strategies for implementation of the diocesan plans and strategies;
- The members are representative of the diocese at large and not of any specific group, cause or agenda;
- At all times the role of the Diocesan Pastoral Council will be in accordance with the teachings of Sacred Scripture, the Canon Law of the Church, as well as the norms of the Irish Episcopal Conference;
- The role of the Diocesan Pastoral Council will be reviewed in the context of diocesan plans and strategies.
