Norms of the Diocese of Fresno
Canon 537: “Each parish is to have a finance council which is regulated by universal law as well as by norms issued by the diocesan bishop; in this council the Christian faithful, selected according to the same norms, aid the pastor in the administration of parish goods with due regards for the prescription of canon 532.” (Canon 532 and Canons 1281-1288 referred to in Canon 532 are found at the end of the document.)
The following provisions are norms, which shall be followed in all cases, except where the context shows that is provision is only a guideline or suggestion.
Overall Purpose of the Parish Finance Council
The Parish Finance Council (PFC) is consultative to the Pastor. The role of the Parish Finance Council is to advise the pastor on important financial and related matters of parish business, and to assure that diocesan norms are being followed regarding financial matters, as well as to perform specific tasks that the pastor requests to be undertaken or elects to delegate. Its recommendations are to be considered seriously by the pastor in making decisions that are his responsibility by Canon Law.
A Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) over which the pastor presides, helps with the administration of pastoral aspects of parish life. The Parish Finance Council, over which the pastor presides, helps with the administration of the temporal and financial concerns that support the pastoral aspects of parish life.
The Diocesan Finance Officer is available as a resource is available as a resource and support to the pastor for administrative temporal concerns. Contact with him by the Parish Finance Council members should be made in writing, with a copy of the letter given to the pastor. Any written communication to the Diocesan Finance Officer without the Knowledge oft the pastor, is only to be done for a serious financial reason and ordinarily only with the knowledge of the other Parish Finance Council members
Finance Council Members
Conway Lopez | Oscar Zubiran | Melissa Messina | Gary Ridgeway | Michelle Mills | Angie Aguilar | Fr. Larry Toschi, O.S.J.
If you would like to contact any member of the Finance Council please call the parish office at (661) 323-3148.