Parish Finance Committee assists the pastor in the administration of parish temporal matters. An active, well-formed Parish Finance Committee is a key element for promoting the financial health of a parish, assuring accountability and assisting the pastor with his temporal responsibilities.
In the administration of temporal goods of the parish, Canon 532 defines the role of the pastor as the authoritative representative of the parish.
"The pastor represents the parish in all juridic affairs in accord with the norm of law; he is to see to it that the goods of the parish are administered in accord with the norms of canons 1281-1288."
Canon 537 introduces the Parish Finance Committee as a mandated body having an advisory and consultative role with the pastor.
"Each parish is to have a finance Committee which is regulated by universal law as well as by norms issued by the diocesan bishop; in this Committee 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."
Every parish therefore is required to have a Parish Finance Committee, both by adherence to the Code of Canon Law and by local norms issued by the diocesan bishop. To be effective the Parish Finance Committee should meet regularly with specific agendas and should have access to all the relevant financial information and policies of the parish.
