Archdiocesan Finance Council

The College of Consultors

The College of Consultors is the principal consultative body mandated by the Code of Canon Law to advise the Archbishop in matters of pastoral government of greater significance. A Consultor is a member of that advisory council appointed by the Archbishop to assist him in the administrative affairs of the Archdiocese (c.501.1).

The functions of the College of Consultors are solely those stated in canon law.

These include:

A. Electing the archdiocesan administrator when the see is vacant (c.421.1).

B. Helping govern the see when it is vacant or impeded (cc.272; 413.2; 419; 421.1; 422; 485; 501.2).

C. Helping the archbishop or administrator carry out certain financial matters (c.494).

D. Consenting to acts of extraordinary administration (c. 1277).

E. Consenting to the alienation of certain ecclesiastical property (c. 1292.1).

Archdiocesan Finance Council

The Church requires that the bishop of each diocese appoint a finance council to assist him in the administration of the diocese. The Finance Council of the Archdiocese of Mobile is a Council, mostly lay persons, who are able to advise and guide the archbishop concerning financial and other administrative matters because of their expertise and experience. The Council has five annually scheduled meetings and other special meetings as needed.

In addition to Church law which establishes norms for all diocesan finance councils, the archbishop has established additional norms for our Archdiocesan Finance Council.

Among other responsibilities set out in Church law, the Finance Council of the Archdiocese of Mobile fulfills the following responsibilities:

Examines the annual audit of the Archdiocese of Mobile, as well as the audits of all non-parochial ministries which relate directly to the Archdiocese.

Selects the auditor for the archdiocesan audit.

Advises as to salary increases, employee benefits, retirement benefits.

Advises as to workman’s compensation, property, liability and health insurance programs.

Approves the annual archdiocesan budget and the budget for the annual Catholic Charities Appeal. Examines the budgets for non-parochial Catholic schools.

Advises the archbishop as to all financial matters over $250,000. This includes, but is not limited to, leases, sales, purchases, construction projects, and renovation projects. In addition to advice, gives required consent to all such matters considered extra-ordinary acts of administration in Church law and also for all decisions involving amounts over $500,000. (As an aside, consent is also required by Church law of the College of Consultors, which is a group of experienced priests.)

Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council

The Presbyteral Council aids the Archbishop in the governance of the archdiocese according to the norm of law to promote the pastoral welfare of the people. The Presbyteral Council enjoys only a consultative vote (c.500.2).

Priests’ Personnel Committee

The Priests’ Personnel Committee provides advice concerning assignment and other matters of priestly life and ministry to the Archbishop of Mobile.