CBCI Legal Cell, Lawyers’ Forum Hold Seminar on Due Diligence

NEW DELHI, September 4, 2026: The CBCI Legal Cell, in collaboration with the Dynamic Lawyers Forum (DLF), organised a seminar on due diligence on September 4, urging dioceses, religious congregations and Church institutions to strengthen documentation, financial oversight and statutory compliance.

The seminar focused on the need for Church institutions to maintain accurate, updated and properly preserved records and to conduct periodic reviews of their legal, financial and administrative systems.

A key message of the programme was the importance of “setting our house in order” through systematic due diligence to safeguard Church properties, resources and ministries.

Participants were briefed on the need to regularly review property documents, financial records, statutory registrations, accounts and other institutional documents. Proper record-keeping and timely compliance, speakers noted, can help institutions minimise legal and financial risks and respond effectively to regulatory scrutiny.

Focus on financial and FCRA compliance

Particular attention was given to forensic financial audits and compliance requirements, including those arising from scrutiny by the Income Tax Department.

Fr. Mathew Koyickal, Deputy Secretary General of the CBCI, delivered the keynote address and outlined measures being undertaken by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India at various levels, particularly concerning compliance with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and other regulatory requirements.

He stressed the importance of institutional preparedness and adherence to applicable legal and financial obligations.

Three resource persons addressed different dimensions of due diligence. Fr. Joson Tharakan spoke on organisational due diligence, Fr. Ravi Sagar SJ dealt with financial due diligence, while Sr. Jessy Thomas SCJ addressed FCRA-related due diligence.

The participants primarily comprised personnel responsible for financial administration and related ministries in dioceses and religious congregations.

Sr. Sayujya, Secretary of the CBCI Legal Cell, called for greater awareness across the Catholic community about increasingly stringent financial and statutory compliance requirements. She emphasised the importance of proper documentation, timely compliance and regular institutional reviews.

Sr. Remya Thomas, Secretary for Data and Research at the CBCI, moderated the seminar and facilitated the discussions.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Fr. Siby Eravimangalam, President of the Dynamic Lawyers Forum, who acknowledged the contributions of the resource persons, participants and DLF members.

The seminar highlighted due diligence, financial discipline, proper documentation and statutory compliance as essential components of responsible stewardship and the protection of Church properties, resources and mission.

Courtesy CBCI News