Canon 537 introduces the Parish Finance Council as a mandated body having an advisory and consultative role with the pastor.
“Each parish is to have a finance council which is regulated by universal law as well as by norms issued by the diocesan bishop; in this council the Christian faithful, selected according to the same norms, aid the pastor in the administration of parish goods with due regard for the prescription of canon 532.”
In fidelity to Canon Law, the Parish Finance Council advises the pastor in matters related to the temporal administration of the parish. Specifically, the Council reviews the parish budget and works to generate revenue to fund the mission of Jesus Christ in the parish. Members are appointed by the Pastor on the basis of their skills and commitment to the financial stability of the parish. The Finance Council advises the pastor on matters relating to the financial affairs of the parish. In doing its work, the Finance Council is guided, not only by Gospel values, but also by good business principles and practices.
The council’s responsibilities include preparation of the parish’s annual budget; safeguarding the financial assets of the parish, and seeing to the proper deposit of church funds in revenue-bearing accounts; making periodic reports on the financial state of the parish to the Parish Pastoral Council and parishioners in general; and developing a plan for the financing of necessary repairs and replacement of parish facilities and equipment.
The Finance Council meets quarterly. The current chair is Daniel Roman.
