The Polish Bishops' Conference is a permanent institution, erected by the Holy See, which consists of bishops canonically tied with the territory of the Republic of Poland. They remain in communion with the Bishop of Rome and, under his authority, exercise joint pastoral tasks among the faithful of their territory. Their task is to furtherance the good through the ministry of the Church, especially through forms of apostolate suitably adapted to a given time and place, in accordance with the principles of universal law and the norms of the Statute of the Polish Bishops Conference.
The President represents the Conference externally. In addition, he convenes the Permanent Council, the Plenary Assembly, the Council of Diocesan Bishops and presides over the proceedings at these meetings. The President invites, exceptionally and in special cases, other persons to the Conference Assembly, after consulting the Presidium. He also sends reports and documents from Plenary Assemblies and the Council of Diocesan Bishops to the Holy See, via the Apostolic Nunciature.
The Primate of Poland is a member of the Polish Bishops' Conference, retaining honorary primacy among Polish bishops. He is a member of the Permanent Council of the Polish Bishops' Conference, together with the President of the Conference, the Vice President, the Cardinals in charge of the dioceses, the Secretary General, six diocesan bishops and two auxiliary bishops elected by the Plenary Assembly for a term of five years, which can be extended for a second term.
During the Plenary Assembly, the ordinary work of the Polish Bishops' Conference takes place and the most important decisions concerning the Church in Poland are taken. All members of the Conference have the right and duty to participate in the Assembly. At the invitation of the President of the Polish Bishops' Conference, the Apostolic Nuncio participates in the Assembly. Ordinary plenary assemblies are held twice a year, and extraordinary ones at the request of the Presidium.