Diocesan Policy Manual

NB: If you are using the Firefox browser, when you click on a link, and seem to get no response, check your "download folder" for the pdf file.

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 Safe Environment Program    

Section 2.02 Diocesan Priests  

• 2.02.01 Faculties of Diocesan Priests - Revised May 2018
• 2.02.02 Priests' Compensation Policy - Revised March 2018

• 2.02.03 Mass Stipends, Stole Fees, Substitute Compensation - Established September 2015
• 2.02.04 Retirement Policy for Diocesan Priests  
• 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 Priests' Jubilees - Revised July 2017
• 2.02.09 Incardination of Priests  
• 2.02.10 Life Transistion Pay  
• 2.02.11 Extern Priests - Revised April 2011
• 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 2013
• 2.06.02 Members of Presbyteral Council - Revised October 2017
• 2.06.03 College of Consultors Constitution - Revised October 2015
• 2.06.04 Regional Personnel - Revised August 2017
• 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 Placement Policy - Revised October 2015
• 2.07.02 Members of the Priests' Personnel Board - Revised October 2015
• 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 2012

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        

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  
• 5.02.08 Sample Constitution for a Parish Finance Council  
• 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 November 2014)
• 5.02.14 Centralized Payroll  Established October 2014
• 5.02.15 Diocesan Finance Council Members  (revised October 2015)
• 5.02.16 Offertory Collection and Cash Handling Procedures (effective 2/9/2018)

Section 5.03 Contracts  

• 5.03.01 Deposit and Loan Fund Policy  
• 5.03.02 Periodic Notification of Interest Rate Adjustment  
• 5.03.03 Building and Remodeling - Revised March 29, 2017
• 5.03.04 Contract Review Policy - April 24, 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 Administrative Policies for responding to Allegations (revised 8/2017)
• 7.01.02 Politicas para responder a Alegaciones
• 7.01.03 Disclosure Statement (updated January 2018)
• 7.01.04 Advocate for the Petitioner in Marriage Cases