By Fr. Sakhile Ndwandwe
It gives me pleasure to share with readers, the importance of taking care of temporary goods of the Church. What are temporary goods in the life and language of the Catholic Church? Temporary goods are understood as all those non-spiritual things which possess an economic value, including real property as well as intangible rights and assets, more often than not, categorised as movable and immovable.
CARING FOR TEMPORARY GOODS IN THE CHURCH
When we look at the Code of Canon Law, #1284, herein referred as CIC, it provides us with a clear understanding that all administrators are to perform their duties with the diligence of a good householder. They are to be vigilant that no goods placed in their care in any way perish or suffer damage, therefore it becomes necessary to arrange insurance contracts. Administrators are to ensure that the ownership of ecclesiastical goods are safeguarded in ways which are valid in civil law (avoid kubeka imali phansi kwemcamelo). Administrators are to ensure that damage will not be suffered by the church through the non-observance of the civil law. Administrators are to keep accurate records of income and expenditure draw up an account of their administration at the end of each year. CIC 1284#3 specifically provides that an income and expenditure budget be drawn.
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