Finance Council

The Parish Finance Council is a consultative body of lay persons mandated by Canon law to advise the Pastor in matters pertaining to the financial affairs of the Parish. In each Parish there is to be a finance committee to help the Parish priest in the administration of the goods of the Parish. It is ruled by the universal law and by the norms laid down by the diocesan Bishop, and it is comprised of members of the faithful, selected according to these norms (Canon 537).
The Parish Finance Council is advisory to the Pastor and its recommendations are valid only when accepted by the Pastor. The Parish Finance Council should take the lead role in protecting the assets of the Parish. The Council should review internal controls regularly and make recommendations to change existing policies and procedures as needed. In short, the Parish Finance Council should hold the Parish staff accountable for all financial activity conducted on behalf of the Parish.