For the administration of the financial affairs of an eparchy, canon law envisions two structures: the first is the Eparchial Finance Officer or Procurator, and the second is the Eparchial Finance Council. Here we shall discuss the role of the Finance Officer.

The appointment of an Eparchial Finance Officer is the responsibility of the eparchial bishop after consulting with the Eparchial College of Consultors and the Finance Council (Can. 262 §1). If the appointment is made without consulting these councils, it is invalid. However, the bishop is not required to obtain the consent of these councils. Therefore, the authority to appoint a Finance Officer rests entirely with the eparchial bishop. Should the bishop neglect to make this appointment, the Metropolitan Archbishop has the authority to do so (Can. 159, n. 7).

Any honest Christian faithful who possesses knowledge and experience in financial matters is eligible to be appointed as an Eparchial Procurator. It is not required by law that priests alone be appointed to this role. Since the term ‘Christian faithful’ is used, even a member of non-Catholic Eastern Churches can be appointed. At the same time, those who are related to the eparchial bishop up to the fourth degree inclusive of consanguinity or affinity are disqualified from holding this office (cf. Can. 263 §§2-3).

An Eparchial Finance Officer is appointed for a fixed term as determined by particular law. According to the particular law of the Syro-Malabar Church, the term of appointment is three years (Art. 13, PLSMC). Upon the completion of three years, the bishop may, if he wishes, renew the appointment for another three-year term. A Finance Officer cannot be removed before the end of his term except for grave cause in the judgment of the bishop. Before doing so, the bishop must consult with the College of Consultors and the Finance Council (can. 262 §2).

The Eparchial Finance Officer carries out significant responsibilities on behalf of the eparchy. He oversees the administration, management, and safekeeping of eparchial temporal goods in accordance with the bishop’s directives, after consulting the Finance Council, and in compliance with canon law. Acting under the authority of the eparchial bishop, he is responsible for managing all the temporal goods of the eparchy, ensuring their protection, security, and growth, addressing deficiencies in the administration of lower authorities, and directly administering ecclesiastical goods that lack a lawful administrator (can. 262 §2). He must prepare and maintain the accounts of eparchial movable and immovable properties and present them to the Finance Council and, whenever requested, to the eparchial bishop or the College of Consultors (can. 262 §4). It is also appropriate that he submit a monthly financial report to the eparchial bishop and curia. The Finance Officer must diligently oversee the management of the temporal goods of all parishes and institutions within the eparchy, including auditing their accounts.

The Finance Officer is also the head of the eparchial finance office, which manages all temporal goods of the eparchy. He is responsible for maintaining records related to eparchial movable and immovable goods, inventories of these properties, inventories of other institutions, and income and expenditure accounts. By virtue of his appointment, the Finance Officer is a member of the Eparchial Finance Council (can. 263 §2), typically serving as its secretary. He is also a member of the eparchial curia by virtue of his office. He has both the right and the duty to advise the eparchial bishop in the day-to-day administration of the eparchy. As a member of the eparchial assembly, the Finance Officer has the responsibility to participate in its meetings (can. 238 n. 2).

When the eparchial see becomes vacant, the Eparchial Finance Officer continues in his office and functions under the authority of the Eparchial Administrator. The same procedure required to remove an eparchial Administrator applies to the removal of the Finance Officer. When a new bishop takes canonical possession of the eparchy, the office of the Finance Officer ceases unless the new bishop reappoints him. He is obliged to render an account of his administration to the new bishop (cf. can. 232).

Rev. Dr. Joshy Kulathumkal