I am Sr. Santiago. In our communities, the superior and the treasurer (financial administrator) are the same person. This situation creates unrest and tensions in many communities. What does Canon Law say about this duplication of roles?
At the celebration of the International Symposium on the “Management of Ecclesiastical Goods of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life for the Service of Humanity and the Mission of the Church” (March 8, 2014), Pope Francis made an emphatic call to religious, reminding them that consecrated persons have always been “a prophetic voice and living witness to the newness which is Christ, and that they have to conform themselves to the One who made himself poor so that we might become rich by his poverty.” The Pope went on to say that “this loving poverty is solidarity, sharing and charity and is expressed in moderation, in the quest for justice and in contentment with a simple life.” These verses of Pope Francis draw before us the attitudes that must accompany religious while dealing with temporal goods (property & money) of the Institute.
The fourfold purpose of temporal goods is listed in canon 1254 §2 of CIC: for divine worship, for the support of clergy and other ministers, for the apostolate and for works of charity, especially toward the poor and needy. Canonical stewards are the administrators of temporal goods. The finance officer (treasurer) is called to share the responsibility as administrators of temporal goods together with the Superiors. Their duties are outlined in canon 1284 of CIC, including protection in civil law. Other duties include: vigilance over ownership of ecclesiastical goods; observance of the prescripts of Canon and civil law; payment of debts and investment of money; and maintaining receipts and archival of documents.
Taking into consideration the responsibility of the finance officer (treasurer), canon 636 of CIC and canon 516 of CCEO describe the appointment and functions involved in this office as follows:
Sr Navya Thattil OSF
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