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The Parish Pastoral Council and the Parish Finance Council: What’s the Difference? by Michelle Montez, Director of Pastoral Planning ASFRecently, my office has been contacted by a number of parishes on the difference between the role of the parish pastoral council and the parish finance council. The Vatican II Council called for the creation of “parish councils”. In the Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People #26, we read: In dioceses, as far as possible, councils should be set up to assist the Church’s apostolic work, whether in the field of evangelization and sanctification or in the fields of charity, social relation and the rest…”
Today, parish pastoral councils are to be visioning bodies, consultative to the pastor. Those called to serve on the Parish Pastoral council should be individuals who are familiar with the pastoral elements of the Roman Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Santa Fe: Charity and Justice, Education and Catechesis, Sacraments and Worship, Stewardship and Administration, Evangelization, Prayer and Spirituality, Vocation and Priestly Formation, Consultation and Governance, and Ecumenism. Pastoral efforts in each of these areas are essential to the mission of Christ and the Church. The Parish Pastoral council is asked to focus on long-range planning and has the responsibility of promoting the life of the whole parish. In the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, parish pastoral councils are not mandatory, but are highly recommended.
The Parish Finance Council is also consultative to the pastor. Finance councils are mandated in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and by Canon Law (Canon 537) and serve in an advisory capacity in the administration and stewardship of parish finances, budget, parish facilities and long-range financial development. Members on this committee are appointed by the pastor and are usually individuals who have expertise in matters related to accounting, financing, budget, fundraising/development, etc. The parish finance council and the parish pastoral council function interdependently; it is essential that they communicate with each other in furthering the parish mission. Councils should be aware that canonically and historically, the pastor is the individual who bears the ultimate responsibility for the parish. All decisions about the operation and direction of the parish need to carry his agreement and approval. The pastor leads the community by example, empowerment of others, appropriate delegation of authority and participation in the pastoral planning process. For More Information Contact: |
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