Comment by Mark F. Fischer on March 8, 2012 at 11:45am

One national standard that I would like to see is a standard about financial reporting to parishioners.  Many parishes annually issue to parishioners a one-page financial report that is no more than a statement of financial activity.  In other words, it states what was collected to during the year and what was spent.  But this statement of activity does not reveal all the parish assets (which a genuine financial position statement would show).  Nor does it show whether a parish borrowed money or invested money (which a statement of cast flows would show).  So I advocate the "three-report" standard first proposed by Prof. William Thompson in "The Concise Guide to Catholic Parish Management."  How illuminating that would be!

Comment by Mary Jo McGovern on March 10, 2012 at 8:50pm

I absolutely agree that even consistent Diocesan standards would be helpful. Our parish has yet to receive the annual report for FY11, even though Diocesan policy states the pastor is to publish the report by Dec. 31 annually. At the same time, I am able to see in a weekly bulletin a published financial report for the first 6 months of FY12 from a parish only 3 miles away. I know more about the financial health of my neighbor's parish, than my own. While I understand pastors are given wide latitude, with that latitude must come accountability to parishioners. Reporting standards for Finance Councils would be helpful too. Is their any parishioner-advocacy group that might advise us on how to encourage timely and robust financial communication? Our diocese is aware that our pastor has not been compliant and has said they are working on it. Our pastor or finance council have not addressed this and have given no reason for the delay. Any advice from anyone who would agree that accountability and tranparency lead to confidence and faith in a pastor's leadership thus increasing stewardship of time, talent and treasure?? Thank you from a concerned parishioner.

Comment by Michael Brough on March 12, 2012 at 11:27am

Hi Mary Jo,

It is good that the diocese is involved since they have clear finance guidelines and also the resources at the diocesan level to support a pastor and finance council to carry out their responsibilities.  Sometimes the pastor or finance council or parish bookkeeper or business manager have not received proper orientation and training to ensure clarity around their responsibilities.  In addition, it is important for parish members to be informed and to be engaged with transparency and reporting issues in the parish.

You ask about possible resources:

1. You can download A Parishioner's Guide to Understanding Parish Finance for free from our ChurchEpedia website.  It lays out 15 questions parishioners should ask about finances in their parish.  You can also purchase copies of this pamphlet for your parishioners here.
2. The Catholic Standards for Excellence code details very clear benchmarks concerning financial accountability, responsibilities of the finance council, reporting and transparency requirements, etc.  Any parish that commits to implementing these Standards also receives education resources so they don't have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to robust financial procedures.   
3. Just last week I presented to parish leaders from over 65 dioceses and used this quotation from the Bishops document on Stewardship to make the point you raise connecting accountability and good stewarship:

“Central to our understanding of stewardship and development is the concept of accountability. Dioceses, parishes, schools, and other church-related organizations that seek to develop urgently needed human and financial resources need to show that their programs and services truly “make a difference” in meeting the spiritual, educational, and social needs of the people they serve.

… This is a basic requirement of stewardship and development—to render an account of the organization’s use of the time, talent, and treasure entrusted to its care.”

  Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response

  US Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Stewardship, USCCB, 1993

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