Calcutta archdiocese mandates finance committees for all parishes

Kolkata, West Bengal (Indian Catholic News) — The Archdiocese of Calcutta has promulgated new statutes requiring every parish to establish a Parish Finance Committee, strengthening financial accountability, consultation and oversight in the administration of Church property and funds.

The statutes, signed by Archbishop Elias Frank of Calcutta, took effect Jan. 1, 2026, and make finance committees mandatory across the archdiocese in accordance with Canon 537 of the Code of Canon Law. The document establishes uniform rules governing parish finances, expenditures, property transactions and administrative responsibilities.

“Considering the obligation to establish Finance Committee in every parish, having seen can. 537 of the Code of Canon Law, I, hereby promulgate the above Statutes of the Parish Finance Committee,” Archbishop Frank wrote in the decree.

The statutes describe the parish as a “living cell” of the diocese and emphasize that parish assets exist primarily to advance the Church’s mission rather than simply maintain property.

“The purpose of parish property and funds is to serve the works of the Gospel,” the document says. It adds that “the Parish Priest is called to administer parish goods in consultation with the Parish Finance Committee.”

Under the new norms, each committee will assist the parish priest in administering parish property and finances while exercising a consultative role in most financial matters. The parish priest remains the legal representative of the parish but must consult or obtain the committee’s consent in specified circumstances.

Membership is limited to practicing Catholics who belong to the parish, have lived there for at least one year and are at least 21 years old. Members must be “trustworthy, honest and enjoy good reputation among the parishioners” and possess “practical knowledge and sound judgement in matters of finance and administration.”

Committees will consist of four to six members, excluding the parish priest, with the secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council serving as an ex officio member. Laypeople with financial expertise are encouraged to serve.

Members will serve three-year terms, renewable once, and must receive the archbishop’s approval before appointment.

Clear spending thresholds

The statutes introduce defined financial thresholds governing parish expenditures.

Parish priests must consult the committee before approving non-recurring expenditures between 15,000 and 25,000 Indian rupees ($175-$290). Committee consent becomes mandatory for capital expenditures exceeding 25,000 rupees and up to 50,000 rupees ($290-$580).

Projects costing more than 50,000 rupees also require approval from the Archdiocesan Finance Administrator after submission of plans, cost estimates and supporting documentation.

Committee consent is likewise required before selling, leasing or otherwise alienating parish land or buildings, accepting donations carrying significant obligations, selling valuable parish objects, or permitting commercial or public facilities on parish property.

The statutes warn that “Any action taken in violation of the provisions laid down in Art. 5, n. 3 is invalid,” adding that a parish priest responsible for such actions “is liable to compensate the parish for any resulting damages.”

Governance and transparency

The statutes require finance committees to meet at least four times each year, although additional meetings may be held whenever necessary. Joint meetings with parish pastoral councils are encouraged, particularly when presenting annual budgets and financial statements.

The parish priest serves as president of the committee, convenes meetings and sets the agenda but does not ordinarily vote. If committee members are evenly divided, the priest must first seek consensus before referring unresolved matters to the diocesan finance administrator.

For issues requiring only consultation, the statutes state that, unless there is an overriding reason, the parish priest “is not to act against its vote, especially if it is unanimous.”

Where committee consent is legally required, however, the statutes are more explicit: “When the majority is not in favour of his proposal, he cannot act further.”

Any disputes concerning the statutes or the committee’s functioning may be appealed directly to the archbishop.

The document concludes by requiring every parish in the archdiocese to formally adopt the statutes by inserting its name and location and distributing copies to all members of the Parish Finance Committee.

Read the full document.