PASTORAL
POLICIES
ARCHDIOCESE OF CASTRIES
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Archbishop’s Letter of Promulgation
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER I
Archdiocesan Pastoral Structures.......................................3
Archdiocesan Pastoral Offices & Archdiocesan Pastoral Council....5 Regional Vicariates, Vicars Forane and Vicariate Councils..... Parishes, Parish Priests and Parish Pastoral Councils............. CHAPTER II
Administration of the Sacraments
Introduction................................................................................ Baptism........................................................................................ Confirmation............................................................................... Eucharist...................................................................................... Penance........................................................................................ Holy Orders.................................................................................. Anointing of the Sick................................................................... Matrimony.................................................................................... Other Services (Funerals, Novenas, Retreats).......................... Blessings and sacramentals..................................................... CHAPTER III Archdiocesan and Parish Finances Stewardship and the Catholics of St. Lucia.............................. Archdiocesan Funds and Commitments................................... Parish Funds, Property and Financial Commitments.............. CHAPTER IV Special Archdiocesan Norms Sexual Abuse of Minors by Church Personnel...........................
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CHAPTER I
ARCHDIOCESAN PASTORAL STRUCTURES
Archdiocesan Offices Canon 369 states: “A diocese is a portion of the people of God which is entrusted for pastoral care to a bishop with the cooperation of the presbyterate, so that, adhering to its pastor and gathered by him in the Holy Spirit through the gospel and the Eucharist, it constitutes a particular church in which the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church of Christ is truly present and operative.” Office of the Archbishop Through the Holy Spirit, the archbishop is a successor of the apostles by divine institution and he is constituted pastor of the archdiocese so that he is the teacher of doctrine, priest of sacred worship and minister of governance. (Canon 375). Final decisions rest with the archbishop. He has all ecclesiastical rights and powers that are not reserved by law or papal decree to the Supreme Pontiff or other ecclesiastical authority. (Canon 381) In his office as pastoral leader of the archdiocese, the archbishop is assisted by: A. Vicar General The Vicar-General and other Vicars are to be priests, thirty-years of age with expertise in canonical & theological matters and recommended by their integrity & prudence (Canon 478) By Canon Law the Vicar General possesses that executive power in the entire archdiocese except for areas reserved by law or the archbishop to others (Canon 479 #1) B. Chancellor The principal task of the chancellor is to see to it that the acts of the archdiocesan curia are carefully gathered, arranged and safeguarded in the curia archive. (Canon 482 #1) C Presbyteral Council This a group of priests that represents the presbyterate and aids the archbishop in promoting the welfare of the people of the archdiocese. (Canon 495) D. Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Canon Law (#511) recommends that diocesan pastoral councils be established to investigate life in the diocese to study pastoral questions and make recommendations to the ordinary. (Canon 511) In the Archdiocese of Castries, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council would consist of two lay persons from each Vicariate Council, the Vicar General and other priests, religious and laity designated by the archbishop. E. Archdiocesan Tribunal Canon Law requires that bishops appoint “Judicial Vicars” and other officers to handle canonical disputes in the
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diocese. The Archdiocese of Castries has such a body to handle disputes about the validity of marriage and other questions (cfr. Canon 1420) F. Archdiocesan Financial Council This group of at least three members skilled in finances are appointed by the archbishop for 5 year terms and assist in making budgets, overseeing finances and advising the archdiocese The archbishop also appoints an Archdiocesan Financial Officer after listening to the consultors & finance council. This officer handles the administration of archdiocesan goods. (Canons 492-494) At the end of the fiscal year the Financial Officer gives the Council a report of receipts & expenses. To help this management, the archdiocese has established: 1. A Commission on Temporal Goods, Buildings and Maintenance for on-going study of archdiocesan material goods; 2. A Lands Commission to study possibilities for new property for archdiocesan apostolates. G. Archdiocesan Special Secretariats Four secretariats carry out day-today management of important archdiocesan efforts: Synod Implementation, Stewardship, Family & Life, and Vocations. E. Archdiocesan Commissions To carry out the plans and work of the archdiocese, Commissions are in place: Stewardship Commission, Evangelization & discipleship Commission, Vocations Commission, Youth Commission & Family and Life Commission. The archbishop approves the names of those proposed as members of these commissions. The Commissions elect their chairpersons who report directly to the archbishop and to any other structure that the archbishop recommends. F. The archbishop may also wish to establish temporary commissions or committees to further the pastoral priorities of the archdiocese Regional Vicariates
(Formerly called “Deaneries;” the change comes from use in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, adopted by some in AEC)
A. The archdiocese is divided into four vicariates: Northern Vicariate Cathedral, LaClery, Marchand, St. Benedict, Babonneau and Gros Islet Eastern Vicariate Bexon, La Ressource, Dennery, Mon Repos & Micoud Southern Vicariate Desruisseaux/Bellevue, Vieux Fort, Augier & Laborie Western Vicariate Chosieul/Saltibus, Soufriere/Fond St. Jacques, Canaries, Ansela-Raye, Jacmel/Roseau. B. The archbishop appoints a “Vicar Forane” (not necessarily a parish priest) for a time specified by diocesan law. The Vicar Forane, formerly called a “Dean,” coordinates the pastoral work of the parishes within the vicariate and takes an interest in the health and spiritual life of each priest in the vicariate. (Canons 553 to 555) 4
C. The archdiocese asks that Vicariate Councils be established in each vicariate to promote the consultation of a wide group within the vicariate concerning its pastoral activities. D. The Vicariate Councils, directed by the local Vicar Forane will consist of the priests & religious of the vicariate along with two lay representatives of each parish who are members of the parish councils. Two lay members of each Vicariate Council will serve on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. E. Ordinarily the Vicariate Councils will meet quarterly, although the Vicar or two/thirds of the council can call a special meeting to deal with a local pastoral project or issue. F. Each Vicariate Council will have a chairman (the Vicar), a vice-chairman a secretary & other officers deemed necessary by the council. For Vicariate activities (seminars, pre-marital workshops, etc.) it might be advisable to have a Vicariate Fund, approved by the archbishop, with funds collected by assessments upon the parishes based on their ability to pay.
Parishes, the Parish Priest and the Parish Pastoral Council A. “A parish is a definite community of the Christian faithful established on a stable basis within a particular church; the pastoral care of the parish is entrusted to a pastor as its own shepherd under the authority of the diocesan bishop.� (Canon 515 #1) B. The parish priest, in accord with canonical and archdiocesan laws, carries out for his community the duties of teaching, sanctifying and governing, with the cooperation of other priests, deacons and the assistance of lay members of the Christian faithful. (cfr. Canon 519) C. Each parish is to possess a set of parish books including baptismal, marriage and death records. The parish priest is to see that these registers are accurate and carefully preserved. In the baptismal register, the priest must note the person’s date of confirmation, marriage, religious profession or ordination, etc.. Whenever a baptismal record is requested, these other notations must be included. (Canon 535 #1,2) To comply with these canonical requirements, each parish should have its own baptismal ledgers and not use ledgers provided by the government for baptism. D. The Archdiocese of Castries insists that a Parish Council function in each of its parishes to give parishioners (and other clergy and religious serving the parish) an opportunity to help in fostering pastoral activity. ( cfr. Canon 536 #1)
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1. Parishes have some options in the selection of members of the Parish Council. Certainly the heads of active parish societies and ministries should be ex officio members (e.g. head of an active Legion of Mary, head catechist, head of finance committee, etc.) Each organized out-station should have a representative. Then, additional members may be elected by the parishioners. Each Council should have at least twelve members and no more than twenty-five. 2. Parish Council members serve for a three-year term and can be selected for a second three-year term, after which they should leave the council for at least three years. Selection should take place in November, with an inauguration in Advent. 3. As stated by Canon Law, the council is advisory to the parish priest. (Canon 536 #2) But, council members have the right to appeal to the archbishop in cases of serious, unresolved policies. In the few parishes where a Vestry functions, this should retain an independence from the council since it deals with confidential property matters that can be contentious. E. By Canon Law, each parish should have a Finance Committee having members with financial expertise to aid the parish priest in the administration of parish goods. (Canon 537)
CHAPTER II
ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS
Introduction “The sacraments of the New Testament, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the church, as they are the actions of Christ and the church, stand out as the signs and means by which the faith is expressed and strengthened, worship is rendered to God and the sanctification of humankind is effected, and they thus contribute in the highest degree to the establishment, strengthening and manifestation of ecclesial communion; therefore, both the sacred ministers and the rest of the Christian faithful must employ the greatest reverence and the necessary diligence in their celebration.” (Canon 840) “The pastor is to see to it that the Most Holy Eucharist is the center of the parish assembly of the faithful; he is to work to see to it that the Christian faithful are nourished through a devout celebration of the sacraments and especially that they frequently approach the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and the sacrament of Penance. He is likewise to endeavor that they are brought to the practice of family prayer as well as to a knowing and active participation in the sacred liturgy which the pastor must supervise in his parish under the authority of the diocesan bishop, being vigilant lest any abuses creep in.” (Canon 528 #2)
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Baptism “Baptism, the gate to the sacraments, necessary for salvation in fact or, at least, in intention, by which men and women are freed from their sins, are reborn as children of God and, configured to Christ by an indelible character, are incorporated into the Church, is validly conferred only by washing with true water together with the required form of words.” (Canon 849) The priests and deacons of the archdiocese are asked to follow the ritual of baptism in the approved liturgical books, except for cases of urgent necessity when only what is required for validity must be observed. (cfr. Canon 850) As noted in the section about parish records (p. 5, “C”) proper baptism records are important in the life of the parish and in requests from other parishes. Ledgers with canonical columns can promote this. Since baptism is “the gate to the sacraments,” parish priests and catechists must be most vigilant about children preparing for First Communion. Insisting upon baptismal records before the catechetical program begins is essential. Throughout the archdiocese, more and more people, though considering themselves “Catholics,” reach adolescence and adulthood without being confirmed, receiving Holy Communion and sometimes even baptism. Parishes should have RCIA programs to prepare these nominal “Catholics” as well as converts from other faiths for the Sacraments of Initiation. For the registration for infant baptism, parishes should have well developed programs for parents and godparents. In the archdiocese, only Catholics who have been confirmed can serve as godparents.
Confirmation “The Sacrament of Confirmation impresses a character and, by it, the baptized, continuing on the path of Christian initiation, are enriched by the gift of the Holy Spirit, and bound more perfectly to the Church; it strengthens them and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses to Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith.” (Canon 879) In the Archdiocese of Castries, the regular time for confirmation is three years after First Communion. Canon Law requires that if the candidate has the use of reason [in some Eastern Rites, babies are confirmed at baptism] suitable instruction must be given (Canon 889 #2). Therefore, in the archdiocese, there is a three-year program beginning just after First Communion to prepare the child for confirmation and provide other educational and spiritual background.
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The Archdiocesan Catechetical Office should regularly review the programs for confirmation in parishes, and offer suggestions to pastors about their improvement. As far as possible, each candidate for confirmation should have a sponsor, fulfilling the same requirements as a baptismal sponsor. (Canon 893) Where possible a baptismal sponsor may serve for the confirmation candidate. Parishes should establish post-confirmation programs for their youth. Successful postconfirmation programs challenge the skill and dedication of the most zealous lay leaders in the parish since young people have so many sports and other extracurricular activities. Holy Eucharist “The Most Holy Eucharist is the most august sacrament, in which Christ the Lord himself is contained, offered and received, and by which the church constantly lives and grows. The Eucharistic sacrifice, the memorial of the death and resurrection of the Lord, in which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated over the centuries, is the summit and source of all Christian worship and life.....” (Canon 897) “The celebration of the Eucharist is the action of Christ Himself and the Church; in it Christ the Lord, by the ministry of a priest, offers himself, substantially present under the forms of bread & wine, to the Father and gives Himself as spiritual food to the faithful who are associated with His offering.” (Canon 899 #1) Preparation for the Eucharist Children must receive careful preparation for a life-long reception of Holy Communion. In many families and areas, preparation for “First Communion” can be an obstacle to the child’s realization of the life-long need for this nourishment, because of the stress on customs and parties surrounding “First Communion.” This includes proper reverence for the Eucharist and for the church. Catechists in every parish need special training to teach about the obligation to attend Mass each Sunday and to receive Communion at least once a year. Catechists chosen to prepare children for the Eucharist should be people who attend mass each Sunday, themselves. These teachers should regularly attend the Archdiocesan “School of Liturgy,” which should devise programs each summer to benefit those who prepare children for the Eucharist, for Eucharistic ministers, etc. Priests and catechists, preparing children for the Eucharist, must work diligently with parents. The attitudes and example of parents have a big part in the development of Eucharistic devotion in children. They must be incorporated into Mass attendance and the catechesis of their children. Celebration of Sunday Worship “Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in the light of the apostolic tradition and it is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal church....On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass...(Canons 1246 and 1247)
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Because of the importance of Sunday Eucharist to God and to the Christian community, this weekend celebration needs: 1. Careful preparation by choirs, musicians, animators and readers so that the spirit of the liturgical season and of the day’s readings blend into a joyful and devout celebration with the Great High Priest; 2. A realization by the celebrant of the cosmic nature of every mass, overcoming the routine into which priests may slip. 3. A sense by all parishioners of the importance of the Sunday Eucharist, so that trivial personal or household cares do not prevent participation in this central prayer and sacrifice. Homilies, adult education programs and other instructions should focus on the spirituality of the Eucharist, the Sunday obligation and ways of entering the spirit of the Eucharist that seems to many people incomprehensible and even a waste of time. Regular instruction of parishioners can help them to develop a desire to receive the sacrament devoutly and frequently and to worship it with supreme adoration. (cfr. Canon 898) Ministers of the Eucharist Especially in large parishes, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist can be most helpful in distributing Holy Communion at parish Masses and in bringing the Eucharist to the home-bound—many parishes have scores of the latter. They should be carefully trained, encouraged to participate in the Archdiocesan School of Liturgy and supervised with care and charity. They are commissioned in each parish for three year terms and their names submitted by the parish priest to the archbishop. Liturgical Books At the celebration of the Eucharist, the sacramentary used should be the ISEL translation, accepted by all English-speaking conferences. The preferred text for the readings is the New Revised Standard Edition, although, to support people using missals, the Jerusalem Bible version may be used. Reception of Communion The archdiocese recommends the distribution of Communion under both species by intinction. Occasional public health emergencies may alter this, as communicated by the archbishop. Mass stipends are EC $20. With consultation of the archbishop, parishes may experiment with the reception of donations for praying for specially-named people at the bidding prayers. The Sunday “Missa pro Populo” has no stipend or any other intentions or special mention of names. Church buildings Catholic churches are places of worship. Parish priests should ensure the cleanliness and beauty of churches, with special care needed for rural chapels. Altar vessels, vestments and liturgical books should be kept in the best condition. Priests must often remind parishioners of the sacred character of the church. Ordinarily no meetings or classes should be held in the church and choirs and musicians should respect the church during their practices.
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Sacrament of Reconciliation Canon 959 explains, “ In the sacrament of Penance the faithful, confessing their sins to a legitimate minister, being sorry for them, and at the same time, proposing to reform, obtain from God forgiveness of sins committed after baptism through the absolution imparted by the same minister; and they likewise are reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by sinning.” “Individual and integral confession and absolution constitute the only ordinary way by which a faithful person who is aware of serious sin is reconciled with God and with the Church. Only physical or moral impossibility excuses a person from confession of this type, in which case reconciliation in other ways. (Canon 960) Some examples: danger of imminent death when the priest has time only to absolve but not to hear an integral confession; a small supply of priests for more penitents than expected who would be deprived of the Eucharist for a long time without general absolution—in this case, the archbishop must be consulted.” (Canon 961) Catholics today need frequent and clear instructions on the Sacrament of Penance. Certainly, missions, lenten retreats and similar gatherings must focus on the gift of forgiveness, making an integral confession and the purpose of amendment. Priests who come to serve in the archdiocese as regular assignments must get the faculty to absolve penitents from the archbishop. Priests visiting for short stays can hear confessions on some occasions when they have this faculty from their home diocese. (Canon 966) In danger of some person’s death, any priest can and should absolve, and can absolve from censures as well. (Canon 976) Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick “The anointing of the sick by which the Church commends to the suffering and glorified Lord the faithful who are dangerously sick so that He relieve and save them, isw conferred by anointing them with oil and using the words prescribed in the liturgical books.” (Canon 998) “The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, after having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age.” (Canon 1004) In the administration of this sacrament and general pastoral care of the sick and aged, parishes face two challenges: 1. Explaining the powerful effects of the sacrament as distinguished from “anointings” received at some services or with “blessed oil” kept in one’s home. 2. Discovering and providing for the sick of the parish. Families need instruction about alerting priests, deacons, extraordinary ministers, members of pious societies, etc. to the sick in their home. Special zeal is called for where the caretakers have joined a denomination and try to
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pressure elderly or sick family members to leave the Catholic church. (Cfr. Canon 1001) Where possible, parishes should organize services for the communal anointing of dangerously sick parishioners. In many cases, there are complications with transport, care of the sick while at the service, etc. Holy Orders “By divine institution, some among the Christian faithful are constituted sacred ministers through the sacrament of orders by means of the indelible character with which they are marked. Accordingly, they are consecrated and deputed to shepherd the people of God, each in accord with his own grade of orders, by fulfilling in the person of Christ the Head the functions of teaching, sanctifying and governing.� (Canon 1008) Archbishop As juridical and pastoral head of the Church in St. Lucia, the archbishop deserves the cooperation, help and prayers of all, clergy and lay.(Canon 212 #1). He represents the archdiocese in all civil and external matters, and regulates all the pastoral ministry of the archdiocese. The archbishop shows his concern for all the faithful in the archdiocese as well as those who are not members of the church. By his charity he shows the spirit of Christ and the ideals of the church. (Canon 383) The archbishop shows his special care for the ministry and lives of priests and deacons through his Vicar for the Clergy. Priests The priests of the archdiocese are obliged to see that the word of God is announced to the people of the parish through homilies, spiritual programs and catechetics. Since the Eucharist is the centre of parish life, priests are to further a devout celebration of the mass. The priests should get to know the people and their attitudes and problems, visiting their homes, and where necessary, correcting them with prudence and gentleness. (Canons 528, 529 #1) Deacons Over the years, the archdiocese has been blessed with deacons who have shown experience, pastoral skill and solid spiritual lives. They make strong contri- butions to parishes and archdiocesan life. They serve the archdiocese by their role at the Eucharist, by carrying out the ministry of baptism, preaching, visiting the sick, and funerals, as well as managing charitable works for the archdiocese and parishes. Vocations To help those called by God to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life, the archdiocese encourages programs in each parish where through youth retreats and other forms of discernment, young people can explore and receive support for God’s will in their future. The archdiocese supports and encourages this activity through the Secretariate for Vocations and the Archdiocesan Vocation Commission. Marriage
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Canon 1055 #1 states: “The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and woman establish between themselves a partnership for the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” Preparation for Marriage 1. Catechetical programs and sermons must constantly remind parishioners that a valid marriage can only be contracted through church structures, mostly the parish priest. Without written permission of the archbishop, any marriage outside a parish church (e.g. in a non-catholic church, hotel, beach, etc.) is invalid, the couple is not considered by the church as sacramentally married and the spouses may not receive Holy Communion (Canon 1055 #2) 2. The formal start of marriage preparation is the filling out and signing of the prenuptial questionnaire. A priest or deacon must administer this document; couples cannot fill the papers out on their own. Parishes must discover the couple’s freedom to marry and carefully keep these forms along with other prenuptial documents in a clearly noted envelope. 3. The couple must have at least five meetings with the priest or deacon, disucussing not only arrangements for flowers, unity candle, etc., but the issues that can try the love and faithfulness of the couple. 4. Besides these meetings in their parish, couples preparing for marriage must attend programs established in their Vicariate. 5. Civil and church requirements for the Banns, must be followed or the couple is required to get a civil license and a dispensation from the banns. Celebration of the Sacrament 1. Priests and deacons should encourage couples to stress the spiritual preparation for the life-long commitment of marriage. Priests should support and help poorer couples to have the most simple of wedding masses and remind those inclined to gaudy and expensive wedding ceremonies of the spiritual nature of marriage. Ordinary Catholics are increasingly scandalized by the lack of modesty in those who attend weddings and the lack of respect for the church-building. 2. Priests must make sure that all canonical documents & dispensations are obtained before the wedding. The forms provided by the archdiocese should be used. The Vocation of Married Couples The wedding ceremony stresses that the unity and love of the couple gives the world an image of Christ’s love for the human race. The companionship and unity of the couple is stressed by the Bible (Genesis 2: 18-25, Matthew 19, Ephesians 5, etc.) This mutual support is seen throughout the world as an important foundation of well-
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ordered societies and the most secure atmosphere for the growth and development of children. 1. Even if they cannot find time to participate in parish societies or ministries, couples living their married vocation with integrity provide the backbone of the parish and an investment in the future of the church. 2. Parishes should honor their married couples with special recognition, “couples’ masses, retreats, etc. and strengthen the bonds of marriage with programs like Marriage Encounter, Couples for Christ, etc.
Blessings and Sacramentals “...sacramentals are sacred signs by which spiritual effects especially are signified and are obtained by the intercession of the Church.” (Canon 1166). Only the Apostolic See can establish sacramentals or explain how they are to be interpreted. (Canon 1167 #1) The rites established by church authority must be carefully followed in confecting, blessing or administering sacramentals. Catholics must show respect toward sacramentals—blessed water, images of the cross or the saints, rosaries, scapulars, etc. These must not be allowed to fall into disrepair or, if they do, they must be thrown away. No one is allowed to attempt to perform an exorcism without the special and express permission of the archbishop. Priests and deacons are encouraged to give people special blessings for wedding anniversaries, birthdays, etc.
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CHAPTE R III
ARCHDIOCESAN AND PARISH FINANCES
Stewardship and the Catholics of St. Lucia “The Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church so that the Church has what is necessary for divine worship, for apostolic works and works of charity and for the decent sustenance of ministers.” (Canon 222 #1) “They are also obliged to promote social justice and, mindful of the precept of the Lord, to assist the poor from their own resources.” (Canon 222 #2) The imitation of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian life. As redeemer, Christ gave himself completely to the human race to atone for sin. The New Testament and 12. spiritual writers down through the centuries have stressed that His followers give sacrificially for the worship and social mission of the Church. Stewardship points to a willingness to imitate Christ in giving time, talent and treasure. In a world swirling with worries and self-interest, the Church must make concrete explanations of its needs, the needs of the poor and what Catholics are expected to share. The archbishop and the financial commissions and secretariates of the archdiocese periodically remind the faithful of the financial condition of the archdiocese and of its institutions and projects, like schools, orphanages, programs for the elderly, etc. This effort for young people and the vulnerable was recognized and hailed by the random survey conducted during the 2009 synod. Parishes carry out the sacramental liturgies on the local levels. Through their Catholic schools and catechetical programs they instruct the young people of the country. Through Caritas, St. Vincent de Paul Societies and many other ministries, Catholic parishes make an enormous contribution to alleviating the woes of the needy. All these programs demand finances and hours of volunteered time on the local level. Parish priests and organizations must frequently make known to parishioners the financial & volunteer needs of the parish, from a public forum and in private conversations. Archdiocesan Funds and Commitments For over one hundred years, until recently, Catholics in St. Lucia received most of their financial support from Rome, Catholic donor agencies like Adveniat and from money brought back from Europe by missionary priests after vacation. Many of these sources are no longer available, so that a gap of millions of EC dollars has grown between archdiocesan income and expenditures. 1. Archdiocesan financial officials, with cooperation of clergy and laity, must devise ways to pay off past debts, stabilize income and provide for the needs of education and programs for the poor. Although many former financial donors have gone, the archdiocese must be alert to any international sources of income.
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2. The financial officer of the archdiocese must make a detailed report after each fiscal year to the Archdiocesan Finance Committee. The archbishop has the discretion concerning whether or how much of the report should be divulged to archdiocesan officials, the clergy, religious or laity. 3. Parishes pay a monthly levy of 20% of Sunday collections to the archdiocese. This is a serious responsibility and should be paid within two weeks. Parishes also send to the archdiocese one-half of the Lenten collection. The archdiocese invests this and makes the funds available to parishes for extraordinary projects, requiring from parishes detailed proposals supported by professional estimates of costs and the extent of the project. 13 4. The archdiocesan insurance program offers building insurance to parishes and institutions at a reasonable rate. These funds have to be carefully invested and protected. Parishes have a serious responsibility to pay premiums promptly 5. In contrast to the past, the archdiocese must cut costs & examine each new expenditure against its debts and social responsibilities. Its appeals to St. Lucian Catholics for stewardship would be hollow if volunteers’ time was wasted or money spent on useless programs. Also, every effort must be made to clarify and protect the boundaries of church property. 6. The seven special “second collections” taken up in parishes and sent to the archdiocese should be spread through the year, with no month having two second collections. Parish Funds, Property and Financial Commitments The property and funds of the parish must be carefully managed by the parish priest and the Finance Committee. The spiritual and charitable works of the parish are supported by the hard work, volunteerism and contributions of the people and they deserve the utmost care. Each parish must follow the accounting system of the archdiocese and submit annual reports. Parishes carefully plan for the future by working out & sending to the Archdiocesan Financial Officer a budget for the up-coming fiscal year. Any new parish project—building, repairs or purchase of equipment—that costs EC $10,000 or more must be reviewed by the Parish Finance Committee and receive written permission from the archbishop. Cars and other goods purchased with parish money must remain in the same parish when a priest is transferred
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Parish support of the archbishop: At confirmations the envelope-donations of the candidates belong to the archbishop. Also, parishes should offer a stipend to the archbishop when he comes for confirmation and other services. Parish Support of priests: Priests are entitled to a monthly salary of $1,000 and the stipends for masses up to $20 per mass. The presbytery food-allowance is $800 per month. Parish Support for permanent deacons. Deacons receive a stipend of $300 a month Stipends for funerals, weddings as well as stole fees should be parish property, except in the case of priests or deacons requested by the parish priest 14. to come from elsewhere for masses, funerals, weddings, etc. The latter receive the stipend and travel costs. Summary of Stipends in the Archdiocese of Castries Baptism a free-will offering destined for parish funds First Communion envelopes a free-will offering to parish funds Confirmation envelopes a free will offering to be given to the bishop confirming Weddings: $200 destined for the parish. Parish priests should use discretion to charge much less or nothing for poor couples. Couples take all responsibility for paying musicians, cleaning church after throwing flowers, etc. Priests may assign a refundable “late-fee.� This would go to the priest whose time had been wasted. Funerals: $200 (less for poorer families) This stipend belongs to the parish.
Policy on Child Abuse (Committee members do not have material from AEC & would include what archbishop wishes)
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15.
Dear Fathers and PIC Members:
As you know, following the Synod, Archbishop Rivas appointed a committee of priests & deacons to review the decrees of the 1997 Synod and make new recommendations. The committee is chaired by the Chancellor, Fr. Ed Mesias. The committee had numerous meetings and the enclosed represents a study-text. The committee (and the archbishop) hope that each priest and the PICs of each parish will study the proposals and submit reactions and suggestions to our Special Review Committee. The proposals cover a large area—from archdiocesan structures to sacraments and to stipends and finances. Thanks for your interest, and God bless your work with these regulations, and with the implementation of Synod priorities.
Fr. J. Krastel CSSR Committee Secy.
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