Canon law recognizes that the Pastor is responsible for the management of Parish finances. He is accountable for competent and dependable stewardship.
Canon law specifically outlines a requirement that each Parish must have a Finance Council to help with managing Parish finances. A Parish Financial Council is essential to parish life in financially supporting the mission of the parish and planning for the future. The relationship between the Pastor and the Finance Council is one of support and collaboration.
The Finance Council is responsible to assist the Pastor with parish financial planning and administration with the specific mandate to assist the pastor in the administration of temporal goods.
The Finance Council is to be composed of persons skilled in finances, civil law and business practices. The Finance Council has a consultative vote, whereby it discusses, discerns and decides.