Clergy Councils
College of Consultors & Presbyteral Council
Bashutskyy, V. Rev. Volodymyr - Dean of the Winnipeg Deanery
Bodnarski, V. Rev. Oleg - Dean of the Dauphin Deanery
Buduykevych, Rev. Yaroslav - Member
Gnutel, V. Rev. Mark - Syncellus for Archeparchy Church Properties
Kawiuk, Rev. Darren
Kondra, CSsR, Rev. Larry - Member
Khomitskyy, Rev. Mikhaylo - Member
Kwiatkowski, V. Rev. Michael
Rabiy, M. Rev. Andriy - Auxiliary Bishop & Protosyncellus
Sianchuk, CSsR, Rev. John - Member
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The Presbyteral Council and College of Archeparchial Consultors
Adapted excerpts* from the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO) and the Particular Law of the Ukrainian Catholic Church (PL)
The Presbyteral Council
A Presbyteral Council must be established in the Archeparchy, that is a body of priests representing the presbyterate (i.e. all the priests of the Archeparchy), which... assists the Metropolitan-Archbishop by its advice in those things which regard the needs of pastoral work and the good of the Archeparchy. (CCEO, c. 264)
An appropriate portion of the members of the Presbyteral Council are to be elected by the priests themselves according to the norm of the particular law of the Ukrainian Catholic Church; Some priests must be ex officio members who belong to the council in virtue of their offices; (for example: Protosyncellus, Syncellus; Judicial Vicar; Chancellor; Dean or Protopresbyter, Superior of Monastic Orders, etc.) It is the right of the Metropolitan to freely appoint other members. (CCEO, c. 266 & PL, c. 34)
Basically all priests that are officially enrolled in the Archeparchy or are working here have a vote when choosing elected representatives to the Presbyteral Council. (CCEO, c. 267)
Care is taken that the priests elected to the Presbyteral Council will be representative of the different pastoral situations throughout the Archeparchy (for example: city and country parishes; youth; etc.) (CCEO, c. 268)
The Metropolitan-Archbishop convokes the Presbyteral Council, he chairs the meetings and determines the questions that need to be dealt with. He does, however, also consult the priests about the agenda. The Metropolitan is to hear the Presbyteral Council in matters of greater importance and, in cases expressly determined by common law, he must consult them. In most cases, he is "consulting" them for their advice, but in other cases, the law requires that he actually receive their "consent" before he can act on certain more serious matters. The Presbyteral Council works only with the Metropolitan, never independently. Only the Metropolitan publicizes anything about the deliberations of the Presbyteral Council, otherwise the work of the Council is confidential. (CCEO, c. 269)
The members of the Presbyteral Council designated for a five-year period. (Canon 270)
If for some the reason the Archeparchial See becomes 'vacant' then the work of the Presbyteral Council ceases until a new Bishop is appointed. The new bishop should re-establish a Presbyteral Council again within a year. (During a period when there is no Presbyteral Council - the College of Consultors fulfils its role). (CCEO, c. 270)
The College of Consultors
The Metropolitan Archbishop must establish a 'College of Archeparchial Consultors'.
This College of Consultors is to be constituted for a five-year period but, if for some reason a new College is not established when that period is over, then the College of Consultors must continue functioning until that happens. (i.e. it is an essential body within the Archeparchy)
The College or Consultors should consist of not less than six and not more than twelve members. This number must be maintained by the Metropolitan if the College is to act validly.
The Metropolitan-Archbishop himself chooses the members of the College of Consultors from among the Priests that are members of above-mentioned Presbyteral Council.
Only the Metropolitan-Archbishop convokes and chairs meetings of the College of Consultors. However, if the Archeparchial See becomes vacant, then, until a duly appointed Administrator takes over, the priest who is senior by priestly ordination becomes the acting chair.
Church law provides that for certain matters and before certain decisions may be made, the Metropolitan-Archbishop needs the actual 'consent' of the College of Consultors (for example: purchasing or selling property of a larger value) However, in most cases, the law requires that the Metropolitan-Archbishop at least 'consult' with the College for certain designated matters (for example: the appointment of people to certain offices or positions). (CCEO, c. 270)
