An active Parish Finance Council is critical to the sound management of a parish. For this reason, every parish is required by the Code of Canon Law (Canon 537) to establish a Finance Council, which acts as a consultative body of the faithful to assist the pastor/administrator in the administration of the goods of the parish and to ensure accountability to the archdiocesan bishop and parishioners.

In addition, Canon 537 indicates that the archdiocesan bishop may issue local norms to fit the needs and circumstances of his diocese. Under Archdiocese of Boston norms, every parish is required to have a Finance Council which meets regularly (at least quarterly) to

1. review and discuss the budget and the management of income and expenditures;
2. review actual results compared to budgets; and
3. consider and consult on operating and capital requirements.

 While the Parish Finance Council does not have decion-making authority, consultation is at the heart of the decision-making process: sharing information, listening, contributing to the discussion, and promoting consensus. Parish Finance Council Policies of the Archdiocese of Boston