Diocesan Governance and Administration

GOVERNANCE

"Those priests, religious and lay people who are entrusted with various offices and functions within the Diocese are, each in their own way and according to their own particular vocation, fulfilling their own personal baptismal calling.

However, their ministry and activity are always directed towards collaboration with the Bishop in his role as successor of the apostles and shepherd of those entrusted to his care. Thus, together, they fulfil the calling of all the faithful, to proclaim the gospel and build up the Body of Christ. " (Lumen Gentium)

The Bishop in administering the Diocese liaises with various bodies under Canon and Civil Law. Under Canon Law, he consults with the Council of Priests, the College of Consultors, the Cathedral Chapter and the Diocesan Finance Committee. The Bishop has delegated certain powers to the Vicars General and the Episcopal Vicars to facilitate daily administration of aspects of Diocesan activities. The Bishop has established the Diocesan Pastoral Council to consider pastoral issues. In Civil Law, the Diocese is a registered charity administered by the Bishop jointly with co-trustees. The Diocesan trustees have also appointed the Diocesan Finance Committee to advise them on financial governance and asset management; so the Diocesan Finance Committee has dual responsibilities.

The daily work of the Diocese falls to various committees and departments that service all the bodies and office holders mentioned above. For a diagram setting out the structure of the Diocese click here.

The Diocese uses a range of means of communication. Guidance on parish administration is given in the Parish Administration Manual.

Bishops House, Hove
for administrative departments such as Finance, Chancery, Matrimonial Tribunal and Safeguarding

Christian Education Centre (DABCEC), Crawley
for pastoral and educational departments such as Youth, Mission & Unity and the Schools Service

ADMINISTRATION (The Curia)

The role of the Curia is to assist the Bishop in the government of a diocese ‘especially in directing pastoral action, in providing for the administration of the diocese and in exercising judicial power.’ Canon 469

The Curia in this diocese is made up of the Vicars General and Episcopal Vicars and support staff such as the Schools Service or the Pastoral Team; the Chancellor together with support staff; the members of the Tribunal; the Finance Committee and Administrator and their staff; the Safeguarding Office and its staff; the Historic Churches Committee and finally the Diocesan Archives.
The Bishop can at a future time set up any other offices, councils, commission or other bodies as he thinks fit. He is also able to appoint a Moderator of the Curia who must be a Priest to assist him in his work of diocesan governance.

Link to the Bishop

The Chancellor, as Moderator of the Curia, meets with the Bishop as often as needed.

Contact Details

The Chancellor is Mgr John Hull, VG who is based at Bishop's House, The Upper Drive, Hove, East Sussex BN3 6NB
Click here for map
Tel: (01273) 506387 Fax: (01273) 501527

Diocesan Departments and Agencies

Archives
Catholic Schools Service
Chancery
Communications
DABCEC Bookshop
Finance Office
Gift Aid
Matrimonial Tribunal
Pastoral Team
Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults
St Cuthman's Retreat House

Committees

Art & Architecture Committee
Historic Churches Committee
Justice & Peace Commission
Liturgy Commission
Mission & Unity Commission
Safeguarding Management Commission
St Cuthman's Management Committee
Schools Committee

USEFUL ADDRESSES

The Apostolic Nuncio: Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz, 54 Parkside, Wimbledon, London, SWI9 5NF

The Metropolitan: Archbishop's House, 150 St George's Road, Southwark, London, SE1 6HX