Calcutta Archdiocese Makes Parish Finance Committees Mandatory to Foster Transparency and Shared Stewardship

KOLKATA, July 1, 2026: In a significant step towards strengthening transparency, accountability and shared responsibility within the local Church, the Archdiocese of Calcutta has made the establishment of Parish Finance Committees mandatory in every parish, reinforcing the role of the laity in the stewardship of Church resources.

The statutes, which came into force on January 1, 2026, require every parish to constitute a Parish Finance Committee in accordance with Canon 537 of the Code of Canon Law. The new norms provide a structured framework for financial administration, outlining the committee's composition, responsibilities and procedures for approving expenditure while encouraging greater participation of the faithful in parish governance.

Speaking to Catholic Connect, Fr. Albert Sakayaraj, Financial Administrator of the Archdiocese of Calcutta, said the initiative reflects Archbishop Elias Frank's vision of ensuring that parish finances are managed with openness and accountability.

"Our aim is to be accountable to the people and transparent in what we receive and how we spend," Fr. Albert said, noting that careful stewardship of the offerings entrusted by the faithful has long been a priority of the archdiocese.

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Under the statutes, the Parish Priest continues to exercise canonical responsibility for administering parish property, while the Parish Finance Committee serves in a consultative capacity, assisting in financial planning and decision-making. Parish priests are required to consult the committee while preparing annual budgets and financial reports and before authorising specified categories of expenditure.

The regulations also establish clear financial approval norms. Non-recurring expenditure between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000 requires consultation with the committee, while capital expenditure between ₹25,000 and ₹50,000 requires its consent. Expenditure exceeding ₹50,000 must also receive the approval of the Archdiocesan Financial Administrator. Transactions involving parish property and other major financial decisions require diocesan approval.

Fr. Albert said the implementation of the statutes has been welcomed throughout the archdiocese, with priests and lay faithful embracing the new system.

"We haven't faced any serious challenges. All the priests were very cooperative, and our people were also very cooperative," he said.

Even mission parishes with limited financial resources have established Finance Committees, enabling parishioners to understand how diocesan assistance supports pastoral ministry, faith formation, education and charitable outreach while encouraging communities to move gradually towards greater financial sustainability.

The archdiocese has complemented the new statutes with regular formation programmes for priests and lay collaborators involved in parish financial administration. Annual clergy meetings review the financial status of the archdiocese and its institutions, while auditors provide updates on Canon Law requirements and Indian tax regulations. Similar formation is conducted at the deanery level to ensure consistent implementation across parishes.

The statutes also require every parish to prepare an annual budget and present an annual financial report to the Parish Pastoral Council, parishioners and the Archdiocesan Financial Administrator, reinforcing transparency in the use of Church resources.

For Fr. Albert, however, the initiative is about more than financial procedures.

"We wanted to involve people more because they also need to take care of the parish. It is not only the priest taking care," he said, stressing that greater participation strengthens the sense of co-responsibility among the faithful.

He observed that increased transparency has encouraged parishioners to become more actively involved in supporting pastoral initiatives and community life.

Looking ahead, the archdiocese plans to launch a "twinning" initiative linking financially stronger parishes with mission parishes in need of support. Beyond financial assistance, the programme aims to foster personal relationships and solidarity by encouraging parishioners to accompany and support one another in the Church's mission.

The new statutes reflect the Archdiocese of Calcutta's commitment to promoting responsible stewardship, strengthening communion and advancing a more participatory and synodal model of parish life, where clergy and laity work together in the service of the Gospel.

By Catholic Connect Reporter