Priest Advisory Group Revised for Greater Representation

June 22, 2025

The Diocese is changing the composition of the Bishop’s advisory group of priests called the Presbyteral Council.

Why should parishioners care?

Admittedly, this may sound a bit like “inside baseball” in terms of organizational structure. Yet, bottom line, the change will result in better representation of priests and parishioners in this important leadership group, and better pastoral care for everyone in the 23 counties served by the Diocese.

The Presbyteral Council has been comprised of a priest representing five geographic areas of the Diocese. This summer, the Diocese is shifting this model. It’s creating nine geographic areas called deaneries.

One benefit under the new Presbyteral Council organization is that a priest will represent each deanery on the council. In addition, the vicar general and vicar of priests will be in the group along with five more priest representatives whom the Bishop can independently appoint. Two of those five would represent the retired priests and priests in specialized ministries. With 16 representatives, rather than five, Bishop William Joensen will have greater feedback from all parts of the Diocese.

A second advantage is in decision making. Each dean, or leader of each deanery, will be enabled to make certain decisions that used to have to go to Bishop Joensen’s office for action. By granting authority to local leaders and respecting subsidiarity to a greater degree, it’s expected that certain decisions will come faster than if they went to the Bishop’s Office. Those decisions will also better reflect local needs and sensitivities.

The Diocese’s strategic plan, which was created after much input from parishioners across the Diocese, calls for greater pastoral planning in order to better cultivate connections in Christ through encounter, friendship, and communion.

Revising one of the Bishop’s top advisory groups to reflect organizational changes invites new leadership, greater representation, and more prompt decision-making on a local level so parishioners can cultivate connections with God and one another.