Diocesan Policy Manual

BOOK I - GENERAL NORMS

  

Section 1.01 Organization, Scope and Purpose

1.01.01 Organization, Scope and Purpose   

      

BOOK II - THE PEOPLE OF GOD  

  

Section 2.01 The Christian Faithful  

2.01.01 Diocesan Mailing List Policy - (revised May 2010) 
2.01.02 Census of Mass Attendance   
2.01.03 Use of Technology   (adapted from the Lay Employee Handbook) (established 2016) 
2.01.04 Diocesan Communication Policy 
2.01.05 Office of Child and Youth Protection    

Section 2.02 Diocesan Priests  

2.02.01 Faculties of Diocesan Priests - (Updated March 2023)
2.02.02 Priests' Compensation Policy - (revised May 2019) 
                       2.02.02 A - Priests' Compensation Scale (revised 7/2023) 
                       2.02.02 B - Priest Employment Agreement 
                       2.02.02 C - Fair Market Calculation Worksheet 
                       2.02.02 D - Mileage Calculation Worksheet 
                       2.02.02 E - Schedule of Allowances (revised 7/2023)
2.02.03 Mass Stipends, Stole Fees, Substitute Compensation - (Updated July 2023)
2.02.04 Retirement Policy for Diocesan Priests - (adopted September 2021) 
2.02.04a Priests' Retirement Plan Agreement - (revised May 2023) 
2.02.04b Priests' Retirement Committee (revised September 2022) 
2.02.05 Support for Newly Ordained Priests   
2.02.06 Continuing Education and Formation of Priests/Sabbaticals - (revised May 2014) 
2.02.07 Priests' Retreats   
2.02.08 Priest's Ordination Anniversaries (Revised September 2022) 
2.02.09 Incardination of Priests   
2.02.10 Life Transition Pay   
2.02.11 Testimonial Letters- (revised July 2022) 
2.02.12 Graduate Studies Policy for Priests   
2.02.13 Funeral Rites for Priests and Deacons - (established April 2010) 

Section 2.03 Permanent Deacons  

2.03.02 Faculties of Permanent Deacons         

Section 2.04 Seminarian and Seminary Formation  

2.04.01 Priestly Formation Personnel   
2.04.02 Candidates for Priestly Formation   
2.04.03 Parochial Guidance for Response to Inquiries   
2.04.04 Financial Policy for Diocesan Seminarians - (revised April 2013) 
2.04.05 Summer Placement for Seminarians in Theological Studies - (revised April 2010) 
2.04.06 File Maintenance for Seminarians - (established March 2010)      

Section 2.05 Religious 

2.05.01 Salary Schedule for Women Religious   
2.05.02 Sample Agreement between Bishop and Religious Superior         

Section 2.06 Diocesan Structures  

2.06.01 Constitution of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council - (revised 11/2018) 
2.06.02 Members of Presbyteral Council - (revised 10/2022) 
2.06.03 College of Consultors Constitution - (revised October 2015) 
2.06.04 Regional Personnel - (revised July 2023) 
2.06.05 Constitution, Diocesan Pastoral Council - (revised August 2014) 
2.06.06 Members, Diocesan Pastoral Council - (revised December 2014)     

Section 2.07 Parishes, Pastors  

2.07.01 Priests' Personnel Board Statutes  (adopted October 2015) 
2.07.02 Members of the Priests' Personnel Board - (rev. 10/2022) 
2.07.03 Alternative Residence for Priests   
2.07.04 Norms for Councils in Parishes   
2.07.05 Sample Constitution for Parish Councils    
  
  

BOOK III - THE TEACHING OFFICE OF THE CHURCH  

  

Section 3.01 Ministry of the Divine Word  

3.01.01 Prayer and Worship with Separated Christians         

Section 3.02 Missionary Action of the Church  

3.02.01 Mission Appeals   
3.02.02 The Guatemala Commission   
3.02.03 Ministerial Covenant with the Diocese of Sololá         

Section 3.03 Catholic Education  

3.03.01 Catholic Schools   
3.03.02 Religious Education Policies   
3.03.03 Parental Permission and Release from Liability   
3.03.04 Approved Catechetical Texts   
3.03.05 Guest Speakers from other Dioceses - (revised September 2022) 

Section 3.04 Church - State Relations  

3.04.01 Principles for Church Involvement with Political Initiatives (WSCC)   
3.04.02 Guidelines for Political Advocacy (WSCC)         

Section 3.05 Profession of Faith  

3.05.01 Profession of Faith for a Pastor upon Assuming Office  
      
  

BOOK IV - THE OFFICE OF SANCTIFYING IN THE CHURCH

Section 4.01 Baptism  

4.01.01 Pastoral Guidelines for Infant Baptism (Region XII)      

Section 4.02 Christian Initiation  

4.02.01 Completion of Christian Initiation for Baptized Catholics
4.02.01 Realizacion de la Iniciacion Cristiana para los Catolicos Bautizados
4.02.02 Guidelines for the Liturgy of Confirmation - Established September 2012

Section 4.03 The Holy Eucharist  

4.03.01 Guidelines for Concelebrated Liturgies   
4.03.02 Holy Days of Obligation   
4.03.03 Use of Low Gluten Bread and Mustum   
4.03.04 Diocesan Norms for Third Edition of the Roman Missal   
4.03.05 Protocol: Vesting of Priests and Deacons 
4.03.06 Transfer of Dedication       

Section 4.04 Penance  

4.04.01 First Penance   
4.04.02 Guidelines for General Absolution     

Section 4.05 Marriage  

4.05.01 Pastoral Policy for Marriage   
4.05.02 Use of Non-Catholic Facilities for Weddings (revised May 2018) 

Section 4.06 Funerals  

4.06.01 Funeral Rites - revised October 2013 
4.06.02 Celebración de Ritos Funerarios         

Section 4.07 Miscellaneous Information  

4.07.01 Obtaining Tickets for a Papal Audience   
4.07.02 Obtaining a Papal Blessing Parchment         

BOOK V - THE TEMPORAL GOODS OF THE CHURCH  

Section 5.01 Acquisition of Goods  

5.01.01 The Annual Catholic Appeal   
5.01.02 Parish Goal for the Annual Catholic Appeal   
5.01.03 Acknowledgment of Gifts   
5.01.04 Diocesan Collections   
5.01.05 The Catholic Foundation         

Section 5.02 Administration of Goods  

5.02.01 Insurance Policies - revised February 2016 
5.02.02 Employer Identification Numbers   
5.02.03 Cash Handling Procedures  - revised February 2018 
5.02.04 Records Retention   
5.02.05 Vehicle Safety  - revised May 2017 
5.02.06 Endorsement of Commerical Efforts   
5.02.07 Norms for Parish Finance Councils - revised March 2023
5.02.08 Sample Constitution for a Parish Finance Council - revised August 2022 
5.02.10 Use of Parish Facilities   
5.02.11 Medical/Dental Waiver   
5.02.12 Insurance and Salary Scale   
5.02.13 Parish Corporations & Boards of Directors  - revised May 2022 
5.02.14 Centralized Payroll - established October 2014 
5.02.16 Offertory Collection and Cash Handling Procedures - effective 2/2018 
  

Section 5.03 Contracts  

5.03.01 Deposit and Loan Fund Policy - revised August 2022 
5.03.02 (This Page is Intentionally Left Blank) - revised August 2022 
5.03.03 Building and Remodeling - revised March 2017 
5.03.04 Contract Review Policy - revised April 2017 
5.03.05 Rights and Obligations of Administrators regarding Contracts, Alienation and Pious Wills   

BOOK VII - PROCESSES  

Section 7.01 Processes  

7.01.01 Resolution of Disputes/Grievances   
7.01.02 Safe Environment Policies and Procedures - revised 5/2021 
7.01.02 Politicas para responder a Alegaciones 
7.01.04 Advocate for the Petitioner in Marriage Cases