Lay Catholics asked to share parish leadership responsibilities

JALANDHAR, Punjab (Indian Catholic News) — The bishop of Jalandhar has called for greater participation by lay Catholics and more self-reliant parishes as regulations affecting external funding continue to change.

In a pastoral message, Bishop Jose Sebastian Thekkumcherikunnel thanked clergy, religious and lay faithful for their support, saying the Diocese of Jalandhar had long served communities “without any discrimination” despite growing challenges facing Christians.

“In the context of increasing antagonism against the Christian faithful in general and the Catholic Church in particular, I express my deep gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support and encouragement in my episcopal ministry,” the bishop wrote in his message published in the September issue of Christward, the diocesan bulletin.

Reflecting on the history of the diocese, Bishop Thekkumcherikunnel said church leaders had “envisioned and accomplished the development of the people without any discrimination.”

Synodal journey and shared responsibility

The bishop said the church is being called to a more collaborative model of governance.

“As we journey further, we are invited to a synodal journey, a journey together: priests, Religious and the Lay Faithful together,” Bishop Thekkumcherikunnel wrote.

He said decision-making in the past was largely led by bishops and priests, while “the participation of the laity, especially women faithful, was very limited in decision-making and organisation.”

According to the bishop, educational progress across the diocese has created new opportunities for broader participation among Catholics in parish life and administration. He said many young people had received quality education through church institutions and were better equipped to understand their responsibilities within both society and the church.

The bishop stressed that parish councils and finance councils should play an active role in governing parish affairs in accordance with church law.

Push for parish self-reliance

A central theme of the message was financial responsibility at the local level.

“Now it is time to take responsibility for ourselves rather than look for help from others,” Bishop Thekkumcherikunnel wrote.

“With the changing regulations on receiving funds from others, we have no other option than to make our own parishes self-reliant in their planning and execution of the programmes and celebrations.”

He said parish finance councils should be established and take “a major role in raising funds and executing the decisions taken by the Parish Priest in consultation with the Parish Council.”

The bishop also emphasised that parish priests remain responsible for administration while working with councils and lay members.

Greater participation and transparency

The Jalandhar bishop repeatedly underscored the responsibilities of ordinary church members in parish development.

“The faithful have their role to fulfil in the planning and execution of the development of the Parish and in its activities,” he wrote.

He said parish councils should meet regularly to plan activities related to worship, sacraments, catechism, charitable initiatives and support for deserving students.

The message also called for preparation and implementation of parish finance councils across the diocese, describing the move as part of a broader effort to strengthen collaboration.

“This will help us to walk the Synodal journey of collaboration among all the faithful,” Bishop Thekkumcherikunnel wrote.

He said the changes would advance “greater transparency in the functioning of the Catholic Church and its activities” and encourage active participation by the faithful under the leadership of parish priests and the diocesan bishop.

The bishop urged parish and deanery leaders to explain the new administrative structures and select trustworthy members for finance councils, subject to diocesan approval.

Read the pastoral message.