Introduction & Background
“In all juridic affairs the pastor (parish priest) represents the parish according to the norm of law. He is to take care that the goods of the parish are administered according to the norm of canons 1281-1288”.
Code of Canon Law n.532
The Parish Finance Committee works closely with the Parish Priest, who is accountable to the Diocesan Bishop for the administration and stewardship of the finance and temporal goods of the parish. An active, well-formed Parish Finance Committee is a key element for promoting the financial health of a parish, assuring accountability and assisting the parish priest with his temporal responsibilities. As such, the Church decrees that each parish must have a Parish Finance Council:
“In each parish there is to be a finance council which is governed, in addition to universal law, by norms issued by the diocesan bishop and in which the Christian faithful, selected according to these same norms, are to assist the pastor in the administration of the goods of the parish, without prejudice to the prescript of canon 532”.
Code of Canon Law n.537
Consultative Body to the Parish Priest
The Council is a consultative body of lay people who assist the parish priest in meeting his obligations. While the Parish Finance Council does not have decision making authority, consultation is at the heart of the decision-making process – sharing information, listening, contributing to the discussion, and promoting consensus.
Although he is not obliged to follow the recommendations of the Finance Council, the parish priest should not act against their advice.
Finance Committee
Chair: Andrew Clarke
Fr. Manoj
Meg C
Sheila H
Stephanie N
Graham W