The Pastoral Council is a consultative body that serves to advise the Pastor on pastoral issues.  Their main purpose is investigating, reflecting and reaching conclusions about matters to recommend to the Pastor.

Canon 536 of the 1983 Code legislates about parish pastoral councils. It states that "§1. If the diocesan bishop judges it opportune after he has heard the presbyteral council, a pastoral council is to be established in each parish, over which the pastor presides and in which the Christian faithful, together with those who share in pastoral care by virtue of their office in the parish, assist in fostering pastoral activity. §2. A pastoral council possesses a consultative vote only and is governed by the norms established by the diocesan bishop."