In keeping with the tradition spanning two millennia of synods and councils of the Church in which Bishops have shared their pastoral responsibility for Christ’s faithful (cf. Christus Dominus, n. 36), a Conference of Bishops, or Episcopal Conference as it is also called, is a permanent assembly of the Bishops of the particular Churches or dioceses in a given territory, usually a nation (though sometimes the territory is of greater or lesser scope). Each conference has it own statutes, which the Holy See must approve, and functions as a juridical personality through the same lawfully established statutes. The central purpose of an Episcopal Conference is to facilitate joint pastoral action on the part of the Bishops across the same territory, including some of the following, by way of example:

• the regulation of certain pastoral matters;
• the transmission of the Church’s teachings adapted to the situation of the Catholics living in the territory in which the Conference is located;
• the coordination of apostolic and charitable initiatives across many dioceses.

(See: The Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops, Apostolorum Successores, n. 28.)

Except in those matters prescribed by canon law or by special mandate of the Holy See, decisions of the Conference of Bishops must ordinarily be adopted by each Bishop and, if so warranted, can be given legal force by him as diocesan legislation, “in deference to the unity with and charity towards his brothers in the episcopate, unless there are grave reasons that prevent their application in the diocese.” (Code of Canon Law, [Montreal: Wilson & Lafleur Ltée, 1993], commentary on p. 344).

The Dicastery for the Clergy deals with everything that relates to the presbyters and deacons of the diocesan clergy concerning their persons, their pastoral ministry and what is necessary for its fruitful exercise. In such matters it offers the bishops appropriate help.

The Dicastery manifests and implements the solicitude of the Apostolic See with regard to the formation of candidates for Holy Orders.

The Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary is a fraternal community of consecrated life in the Roman Catholic Church. In America, the members of the Congregation are perhaps best known for their work promoting the message of Divine Mercy from Stockbridge, Massachusetts. They are also known for their devotion to Mary Immaculate, dedication to praying for the poor souls in Purgatory, and active service to the Church.

Founded in Poland in 1670 by St. Stanislaus Papczynski (right), today the Marian Congregation has well over 500 priests and brothers who labor in 19 countries, including: the United States, Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Cameroon, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

The Marian Congregation is unique in that it has not only a founder, St. Stanislaus, but also what the Marians call a “Renovator”: Lithuanian-born Blessed George Matulaitis.

Blessed George is credited with saving the Marian Congregation from annihilation when he renovated it in 1910. Prior to the Renovation, the Marian Congregation had been reduced to just one member due to relentless persecution by Russian authorities. With the support of the Pope and bishops, Blessed George rewrote the Marians’ Constitutions, gathered new members, and unleashed the renovated Marian Congregation as a zealous army for Christ and the Church in the modern world.