Co- Responsibility (Stewardship) and Canon Law

Abstract

The co-responsibility (stewardship) in the mission of the Church has a material aspect in the economic support of its activities by the faithful. This financial support should be integrated in the global response of the faithful to their vocation. For this reason, the Code of Canon Law establishes some rules in order to achieve this co-responsibility. The notion of administration, professional management and transparency are three milestones of these rules. This is to ensure that the scarce resources of the Church are used for its own purposes. The credibility of a professional and transparent management is a good way to obtain the co-responsibility of the faithful in the Church’s mission. This article offers two examples: the management of World Youth Day in Madrid and the creation of a Financial Information Authority for the Holy See and for the Vatican.