Mandya Diocese implements strict controls on mission financial appeals

MANDYA, Karnataka (Indian Catholic News) — The Syro Malabar Diocese of Mandya is strictly enforcing mission appeal procedures to ease financial strain on parishes, granting permission only when necessary and limiting fundraising visits to once a year per parish.

The updated mandate comes as church leadership responds to frequent financial requests. Diocesan officials noted that parishes from outside regions often request to conduct appeals under the premise that local congregations have substantial resources.

“They approach us under the impression that our parishes are financially prosperous,” wrote Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath of Mandya. “Supporting missions is undoubtedly our grave responsibility. As an initial measure towards this, approximately 15 parishes have stepped forward to assist mission stations within the Diocese of Mandya itself”.

New rules to reduce financial hardship

Bishop Adayanthrath explained that unannounced financial requests place an unintended strain on churchgoers.

“Frequent and continuous mission appeals occasionally become a burden for the faithful,” he stated. “When they attend church, a priest arrives without prior notice and presents financial requests; parishioners may not always possess the required funds on hand”.

He highlighted that uncoordinated fundraising “causes hardship to our parishioners, even if they do not explicitly express it to us”. Under the newly enforced guidelines effective July 2026, those seeking to conduct mission appeals must first submit a formal Request Letter to diocesan authorities and secure permission before contacting local pastors.

The diocese emphasized that “permission will be granted to churches selected in an orderly, systematic sequence”.

Systematic approvals and parishioner participation

The protocol requires parish priests to announce approved mission appeals two to three weeks in advance, so visiting appealers can be received with warmth and parishioners can hear their cause.

“Through this process, the parishioners will become active participants in that mission,” Bishop Adayanthrath noted.

The guidelines align local practices with established norms across India and within the Syro Malabar Church. When priests from Mandya travel elsewhere for mission appeals, they do so only after securing permission from the local Ordinary.

“Upon receiving a notification from the diocese, permission will be granted to the appealing entity only after the matter has been deliberated and decided upon in your Parish Pastoral Council and formally communicated back to the diocese,” the bishop instructed. “Thus, the faithful will also participate in this decision-making process as part of our synodality”.

Support for local mission stations

While placing limits on outside appeals, the diocese encouraged continued support for internal development. Certain local parishes are currently making efforts to acquire land and construct churches.

Pastors have been asked to welcome internal requests, noting that “if allocating a Sunday is not feasible, please ensure a substantial financial contribution is provided from the parish”.

“In this manner, let us become a Church that makes decisions collectively,” Bishop Adayanthrath stated. Parish priests have been requested to share the official details directly with their respective Parish Pastoral Councils.

Full statement available: original Malayalam and AI‑generated English translation.