Dear Brother Priests, Consecrated Persons, and Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Imus,

Greetings of peace!

Vatican Council II’s DECREE ON THE APOSTOLATE OF LAY PEOPLE (APOSTOLICAM ACTUOSITATEM) No. 10 asserts that the laity, as participants in the functions of Christ as priest, prophet, and king, have active roles in the life of the Church.

Their active collaboration is significant that without it, the apostolate of the pastors will frequently be unable to obtain its full effect. Nourished by their participation, they engage zealously in the Church’s apostolic works, which also includes sharing their expertise in caring for souls as well as the administration of the goods of the Church.

In order to give form and stability to the assistance offered by Christ’s faithful to Parish Priests in the administration of the temporal goods, the Code of Canon Law requires that each parish in a diocese establish a Parish Finance Council, which is governed by universal Church laws and norms given by the Diocesan Bishop (Canon 537).

For this reason, a committee was formed and tasked with drafting the Roles and Functions of the Parish Finance Council in the Diocese. The document was produced following a series of benchmarking studies in different parishes.

It was then presented to the Presbyteral Council with a recommendation that the draft be discussed in the thirteen (13) vicariates prior to its final approval.

After consultation with all the clergy of the Diocese, it was approved by majority votes during the monthly clergy recollection held on September 10, 2024 at the Our Lady of the Pillar Seminary.

Consequently, we are issuing this circular letter for the full implementation of the Roles and Functions of the Parish Finance Council in all parishes within the Diocese of Imus.

Given at the Chancery Office, City of Imus, Cavite on the 17th of August 2026.

+REYNALDO G. EVANGELISTA, D.D.

Bishop of Imus