News: Appointment to the Launceston Parish Finance Council

News: Appointment to the Launceston Parish Finance Council

I have recently been appointed Chairman of the Launceston Parish Finance Council. This is a voluntary role within the Catholic Parish of Launceston, undertaken alongside my professional work.

Every parish in the world is required by Canon 537 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law to have a Finance Council. Its purpose is not administrative prestige, but stewardship: assisting the Parish Priest in the responsible management of parish assets, reviewing income and expenditure, supporting budget preparation, and ensuring transparency and accountability in service of the Church’s mission.

The Finance Council is a collective body, made up of parishioners who bring competence, integrity, and a commitment to the life of the Church. While the Parish Priest remains the juridical administrator of the parish (Canon 532), the Council provides structured advice, oversight, and support so that the parish’s resources are managed wisely and in accordance with diocesan norms.

My role is simply to contribute to this shared work. The Church of Apostles — and the wider Launceston parish community — has stood for generations, and the Finance Council is one small part of ensuring that its mission continues with faithfulness, prudence, and humility.