“Where the bishop has judged it expedient, he can establish an episcopal council, consisting of vicars general and episcopal vicars, to foster pastoral action more suitably.” (Canon 472 § 4)

Regardless of the simplicity or complexity of the curial structure, whenever two or more person or offices are functioning to serve a common end, as they are intended to do within the curia as a whole, coordination of their activities is essential. Likewise, the diocesan bishop is obliged to see that all the works of the apostolate are co-ordinated.

One way of ensuring this co-ordination of the apostolate as part of the co-ordination of the curia is if the bishop judges it to be useful, in the context of his own curia, the diocesan bishop can establish a council composed of his vicar general and episcopal vicars. The purpose of this episcopal council it a means to examine and promote the co-ordination of the pastoral activities entrusted to the vicars.

The episcopal council meets regularly with the bishop at Wardley Hall. Meeting on a regular basis, every few weeks, ensures that the bishop  is kept informed of the programs and projects beings developed in the diocese as well as the issues of concern being raised from or about various groups in the diocese. These meetings also provide the bishop with the opportunity to see that the work of the curia is consistent with his own vision of the mission of the diocese.