The Allentown Diocese has established a Diocesan Pastoral Council to recommend and implement changes that are immanent for the diocese's 151 parishes and Catholic schools.

The council, created by Bishop Edward P. Cullen, is made up of 16 laypersons, 8 priests, 1 nun and 1 deacon. Three of the members are from Carbon County, including Msgr. John Chizmar, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Jim Thorpe and head of the Carbon Deanery.