How much percentage?

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CyrilSebastian

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How much percentage should the people of the congregation have a say in how their church is run?
 
I don’t think there’s a concrete percentage that you can assign, and since the priest or administrator running a parish always has the final say, technically it could be reasoned that parishoners have 0% say, but that’s putting it too simply. Most priests will give parishoners a voice in how the parish is run and will take their opinions into account when making decisions. My parish has several councils about the liturgy, finances, and spiritual life of the parish that laypersons participate in. Any decisions they make go through the priest but they do have some influence in how the parish operates. A priest who does not seek the opinions of the laity in his parish risks people abandoning the parish if their needs are not met. I saw this happen at the parish I grew up as a member of. There is a balance that must be kept, I think.
 
CyrilSebastian said:
How much percentage should the people of the congregation have a say in how their church is run?
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The parish and finance councils are consultative only. The pastor ultimately has full authority in his parish.

Parish pastoral councils are optional, at the discretion of the bishop, and governed by dicocrsan particular law. Finance councils are required per canon law, and are also subject to diocesan particular law.
 
Oh there’s a high percentage of people who THINK they run the place…

But it’s only the pastors opinion that count.
 
By right it’s hard to give a percentage because it depends on what’s happening inside the parish, what are its struggles and what is it excelling at. It is for that reason the church has the board and the wardens who make decisions both on the financial and spiritual level. Then one also has the priest who also takes care of the parish’s spiritual care in general. All three work together. (At least in theory)

For the most part- congregations should have the greatest power when it comes to making life changing decisions about the parish or when major problems arise how should the congregation handle x or y decision. Ex- if the roof needs to be fixed- they need to be consulted and notified that fundraising needs to be done to raise a new roof. Or when the congregation is encountering problems with its priest then it can work together with the diocese to work out those problems.
 
SecretGarden said:
By right it’s hard to give a percentage because it depends on what’s happening inside the parish, what are its struggles and what is it excelling at. It is for that reason the church has the board and the wardens who make decisions both on the financial and spiritual level. Then one also has the priest who also takes care of the parish’s spiritual care in general. All three work together. (At least in theory)

For the most part- congregations should have the greatest power when it comes to making life changing decisions about the parish or when major problems arise how should the congregation handle x or y decision. Ex- if the roof needs to be fixed- they need to be consulted and notified that fundraising needs to be done to raise a new roof. Or when the congregation is encountering problems with its priest then it can work together with the diocese to work out those problems.
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Not really. The pastor is the person responsible and often, the Chancery has strict guidelines to follow and are dealt the ones consulted first. They may have preferred contractors that you must use. Sure the parish gets to foot the bill, and parishioners are in the loop, but this isn’t necessarily driven by the people in the pews.
We’ve needed a school type building for years have the land and the money to build it. Bit cannot get the go ahead to break ground.
The various pastors were told no. Still waiting, but no longer hopeful.
The pastor makes a proposal, and the bishop or Archbishop decides.
 
This depends somewhat on the issue concerned. Its all very well to say “all decisions are ultimately made by the priest”, but failing to involve the laity in decision making will in some cases be a bad move. If for instance a priest makes decisions unilaterally about financial matters, it could cause resentment and and could mean he will have to make up the books himself. Even liturgical matters require some consultation with laity, especially those involved in ministry, in order to maintain goodwill.
 
peter26 said:
This depends somewhat on the issue concerned. Its all very well to say “all decisions are ultimately made by the priest”, but failing to involve the laity in decision making will in some cases be a bad move. If for instance a priest makes decisions unilaterally about financial matters, it could cause resentment and and could mean he will have to make up the books himself. Even liturgical matters require some consultation with laity, especially those involved in ministry, in order to maintain goodwill.
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Of course. AS (name removed by moderator) says.
But I seriously doubt that is what the OP is talking about.

Many belive that they can run roughshod over their pastor to implement what THEY want.
He has sole authority.
Period.
And he operated with credibility and authority given by his Archbishop or Bishop.
That’s it.
One can ask opinions, but the PASTOR alone makes the decision.
This is something many on CAF fail to acknowledge.
The reason they don’t go to the pastor is because they know what they will hear.
 
AMEN. Speaking as a person who has worked fro countless priests…you can suggest, but he decides. As we always say “you get what you get and you don’t pitch a fit”.
 
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