Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Regensburg

The Council of Priests represents all priests. It offers its recommendations on the basis of indications received from the Second Vatican Council and is present in every Diocese.

It is a body at the service of Bishops for promoting the diocesan pastoral activities. The Second Vatican Council establishes this in the Decree on the service and life of priests called "Presbyterorum ordinis": "Therefore, by reason of the gift of the Holy Spirit which is given to priests in Holy Orders bishops regard them as necessary helpers and counselors in the ministry and in their role of teaching, sanctifying and nourishing the People of God……In order to put this into effect, there should be-in a manner suited to today's conditions and necessities, and with a structure and norms to be determined by law-a body or senate of priests representing all the priests" (no. 7)

In addition to the ecclesiological dimension of reciprocity between the Bishop and the Presbytery (collegiality and service), the central nucleus of the Council of Priests consists above all in the personal experience and the testimony of faith of the Bishop who acts as President. The lives and difficult problems of people, encountered on a daily basis by priests in the parishes, are guiding instruments offered to the Bishop as a help for him in exercising his pastoral office.

Of course the Council of priests, due to its ecclesiological dimension, is always called upon to bear witness to the Church’s faith, faithful to the Presbytery members’ vocation. An interior identification and an availability to become witnesses of faith in front of the world, just as Jesus Christ was, are elements that must always be present in the Council and in all priests.