Inventory of Church assets, money, prior to exit called
The call for transparency, accountability and integrity is true not only in government but the Catholic Church hierarchy as well.
This, as clearly manifested in the latest Circular of the Jaro Archdiocese effecting the appointments of some 40 Catholic priests to new assignments.
With the transfer effective next month, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo had four requests to outgoing priests.
First off was the submission of a complete inventory of both convent and church "including real properties to the in-coming Parish Priest, copy furnished the Chancery Office."
Secondly, His Excellency delegated the "Vicars Forane" to visit and sign all Canonical Books of respective Parishes within the month.
"This includes ALL PARISHES even not involved in the change of assignments," the Archbishop ordered.
And with the Canonical Books in place, completed report contained here must be duly signed by both outgoing Parish Priest and "co-signed by in-coming Parish Priest."
In concluding the order, Archbishop Lagdameo wrote, "In the spirit of transparency, accountability, and integrity, submit to the in-coming Parish Priest complete financial report (2002-2008), co-signed by the Treasurer and out-going and in-coming Parish Priest. I will gratefully appreciate if a copy is likewise submitted to the Office of the Oeconomus."
With the new assignments came further the 'reminder' as lifted in the 3rd Synod of Jaro on the Clergy.
"The clergy of Jaro are invited to follow, as disciples' of Christ, the path towards transformation. As Christ's disciples in the mission, they should live not only for themselves but for others. Priests must recognize that they are men of prayer and devotion, discerners of the Spirit and presiders of the Eucharistic community," the message went.