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Episcopal Conferences (OSV Encyc. 1997)
Episcopal Conferences are periodic assemblies of the bishops of one region or country jointly exercising certain pastoral offices on behalf of the Christian faithful of that territory. Already before Vatican II they or their equivalent existed in many countries, where bishops gathered together to discuss matters of interdiocesan interest and determine common policy. The Council recommended their establishment everywhere (CD 37ss). Their purpose is to facilitate exchanges of experience between the bishops involved, and to standardise pastoral and administrative practices so as to further the Church's mission towards the world (cf. c. 447).
As institutions of ecclesiastical origin, the Episcopal Conferences are not intermediate organs of government between each diocesan bishop and the Pope. Therefore it is to the Roman Pontiff, and not to the Conference, that each bishop is directly responsible. The Conferences can give decrees in certain matters determined by law; in order to be binding these decrees must (along with other conditions) be approved by the Holy See (c. 455, §§ 1 and 2). They cannot act in the name of all the bishops involved unless all have given their consent (c. 455, § 4). Evidently, given a proper ecclesial spirit on all sides, a local bishop will not lightly ignore recommendations of the Episcopal Conference which contribute to true Catholic unity and legitimate diversity.
Advisory bodies or committees set up by an Episcopal Conference carry out important tasks of coordination, information and research. They however have no jurisdiction over the areas covered by the Conference.