Pastors rely on the wisdom of lay people to give input in the operations of parishes. This is most often done through parish pastoral and finance councils.
For some though, what the councils can and cannot do are often misunderstood. Tension can sometimes occur if proper communication is not maintained between the pastors, the councils’ members and parishioners.
| Common questions about pastoral and finance councils Click here |
Deacon John Marschewski, who leads parish council workshops for the Diocese of Little Rock, and Deacon Bo McAllister, who led the workshops for more than 10 years as the diocese’s lay ministry director, said parishioners need to understand that councils are advisory boards or “wisdom bodies.” Even though most of the members are elected by the parish, the council members are not making final decisions about the parish’s spiritual, liturgical and financial life.
“Our concept in America is one person, one vote. It’s democratic and majority rules,” said McAllister, who is now the diocese’s chancellor for canonical affairs. “That is not how the Church works. A lot of people think the pastoral council and finance council have absolutely no function, but there are times when the pastor is required to seek their wisdom … The final decision always rests with the pastor.”
In some parishes, councils take votes to show the pastor that there is a majority opinion on a topic, but the pastor makes the decision.
“The priest has got 51 percent of the vote,” said Cathy Anderle, Liturgy Committee chairwoman at St. Agnes Church in Mena. “What he says, goes.”
The way Marschewski and McAllister encourage parish councils to work is through “consensus decision making.” When a proposal is made, the presenter makes sure everyone understands it and is allowed to ask questions. Each person is then asked if they can support the proposal. In the end, it is hoped that there are not winners and losers.
“We try to take care of every single soul. That’s the whole point,” McAllister said. “They are performing a very important function. They are expressing their views … to help the pastor decide what is best for the community.”
Marschewski added, “The pastor and the councils have an obligation to listen to each other.”
Even though the pastoral council is not a typical board, it still should be operated as openly as possible.
“My personal advice is to be as transparent as possible on parish councils,” said Marschewski, who had leadership positions in a non-profit company for 40 years before becoming the diocese’s minister to deacons. “You avoid as much heartburn and you can still accomplish what you need to do. The goal in all of this is to get those who are in various leadership positions in the parish to appreciate the big picture.”
Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert, vicar general and administrator pro tem at St. Mary Church in Hot Springs, said transparency is an important issue for him. When he has served as pastor, he said he made sure parishioners knew they could attend parish council meetings and ask to inspect financial records.
“I always believe in complete disclosure,” he said. “If you want to see any (financial) books, I will open any of them.”
Msgr. Hebert said parish councils have been invaluable to him because the members represent many different professions. For example, he said he recognizes that an accountant knows more about finance or a mother might know more about children. He sees the councils living out Vatican Council II’s idea of “shared responsibility.”
“I don’t see why any priest would do without one,” he said. “They are wonderful for the priest to advise him on things … If he is open to letting the process of consulting take place, they (parish council members) can be such a help. And he cannot get himself in as much trouble.”
Keith de Noble, parish council president in 2002 at Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock, said he feels he was able to contribute his gifts as a businessman and “visionary” to how the parish was operated. He admitted the job can be challenging, especially when a crisis occurs.
De Noble was council president following the disclosure that the former business manager embezzled nearly $500,000 from the parish. He saw his role as parish council president as crucial to helping the church move on. He dedicated more than 200 weekday hours to parish business that year.
“Our parish council had increased responsibility to restore confidence and to show that any misappropriations wouldn’t happen again so people wouldn’t worry about that,” he said.
Anderle, of Mena, said she wishes more people would choose to run for parish council.
“If I am not going to step up and do what I can, how can I expect someone else to do it?” she asked.
Common questions about pastoral and finance councils
Most of the questions parishioners have about parish pastoral and finance councils are answered in two documents published by the diocese: “Diocesan Norms for Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils,” last updated in 1998, and “Diocesan Guidelines for Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils,” last updated in 2001.
Are pastoral and finance councils required? Yes, all parishes must have both councils. Finance councils are required by canon law, and pastoral councils are required by the diocese. Finance councils are a committee or commission of the parish pastoral council. Other committees often include liturgy, education and formation, parish life, stewardship, and social justice. Mission churches are not required to have councils.
Are meetings open to parishioners? Most parishes invite parishioners to pastoral council meetings, but often finance council meetings are closed because of the sensitive nature of the topic.
Who can serve on the councils? Members must be 18 years old who are “actively practicing their Catholic faith” and are registered members of the parish. Priests, deacons and paid or volunteer staff members are not members of the council.
Can pastors appoint all the members? No, two-thirds of parish council members must be elected. Finance council members are appointed by the pastor.
How often are the meetings held? Meetings must be held each quarter but often occur once a month.
Who leads the parish council meetings? The pastor is the presider, but the council chairperson may “run” the meeting. The pastor must attend the meeting.
Who sets the agenda? The pastor sets the agenda in consultation with the chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary.
What financial matters are pastors required to seek the input of the parish council? “Extraordinary” acts must be discussed, including leasing, buying or selling church property, making major capital improvements, accepting a gift or bequest that has some restriction attached, giving a large donation or “parish good” to a charity, initiating or contesting a lawsuit, or beginning a fundraising campaign or special collection.
What school-related issues are parish and finance councils consulted on? School boards oversee schools, but when pastors are considering opening or closing schools, constructing school buildings or changing the parish subsidy they must consult with the pastoral and finance councils first. Other issues should be addressed to the principal, pastor and school board.
How long can council members serve? Normally each person can serve two terms. The terms can be up to three years.
