Can Parish Pastoral Councils save the ailing church?

Aengus Kavanagh FSP, Patrician Brother, Ryde, NSW suggests that with a little tweaking, parish councils could assist in offering a stabilising force in a church in uncertain times. 

Over fifty years ago, five of the main documents of the Second Vatican Council made reference to a structure for more intentional and active participation of the laity in the mission of the Church. As a significant break from tradition, this was a main stimulus for the emergence of Diocesan and Parish Pastoral Councils in the life of the Catholic Church.