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IX. Diocesan Finance Officer

Canon 494

In accord with canon 494, revised Code of Canon Law (1983), each diocese is required to have a "finance officer who is truly expert in financial affairs and absolutely distinguished for honesty." This finance officer is appointed by the bishop after consultation with the college of consultors and the finance council. The finance officer is to be appointed for a five-year term, renewable for additional five-year terms at the end of each period. The finance officer is not to be removed from this position except for grave cause as determined by the bishop after consultation with the college of consultors and diocesan finance council.

The finance officer's primary responsibility is to administer the financial affairs of the diocese under the authority of the bishop in accord with the budget determined by the finance council. The finance officer disburses funds from the income of the diocese to cover expenses authorized by the bishop or others designated by him. At the end of each fiscal year, "the finance officer must render an account of receipts and expenditures to the finance council." In addition to the requirements of canon 494, the diocesan bishop may also request the diocesan finance officer to review the annual financial reports and to assist in the preparation of budgets for other entities under the authority of the bishop.