Finance Council

Canon 492 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law requires the bishop to establish a diocesan finance council and to appoint a minimum of three members to the council who are knowledgeable in financial and business matters. The Code provides for a structure which is charged with providing the bishop with technical guidance and advice on the prudent handling of fiscal matters. The two main groups of tasks on which the diocesan finance council provides advice and counsel to the bishop deal with ordinary administration (i.e., development of the annual budget, and the regular review of and compliance with it) and with extraordinary administration (i.e., major one-time financial transactions, such as construction projects, purchase or sale of property).

In the Diocese of Manchester, the diocesan Finance Council consists of members with varying and diverse expertise in financial matters. The Council meets at least six regularly scheduled times during the year. In addition, the bishop may request that the Council meet in special session or by teleconference to review and provide advice on matters of ordinary or extraordinary administration. The current members and a brief description of their parish affiliation and business background can be found below.