Preamble

Since September of 1991, the Archdiocese of Denver ("Archdiocese") has utilized the Pastoral Handbook sometimes referred to as either the "Blue Book" or "Particular Norms."  The Pastoral Handbook represents a continuing effort to systematize part of the particular ecclesiastical law of the Archdiocese.  Please note that the Employee Handbook(s) and associated guidelines, and the manuals/forms which describe in precise detail various programs or practices (e.g., the Risk Management Manual, the Office of Catholic Schools Administrators Manual, including forms utilized by the Office of Catholic Schools) are not included in the Pastoral Handbook.  Other than these separate documents, the Archdiocesan particular ecclesiastical law continues to be contained within this Pastoral Handbook.  With the promulgation of this volume of the Handbook, the prior Pastoral Handbook and previous norms, guidelines and policies are hereby superseded.  If a specific topic is not directly addressed, pastors and employees are asked to bring this to the attention of the Moderator of the Curia, the Chancellor, or the Chief Financial Officer of the Archdiocese for appropriate action.

 Policies that refer to the sanctifying office and teaching office are applicable for all Roman Catholic individuals and organizations within the territory of the Archdiocese.

 Consistent with the Code of Canon Law and specifically Canons 391 and 392, the Archbishop must preserve the unity of the universal Church and is bound to foster the religious discipline that is common to the Church and therefore, must assure that the faithful observe all ecclesiastical laws.  In doing so, the Archbishop must ensure that no abuses flow into ecclesiastical discipline, especially concerning the ministry of the word, the celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals, the Worship of God and the cult of saints and the administration of goods.  In accordance with Canon 495, the Archbishop, with the help of his Presbyteral Council, is to ensure that the pastoral welfare of the People of God within the territory of the Archdiocese is most effectively promoted.  Likewise, in accordance with Canon 1276, the Archbishop must supervise the administration of all goods belonging to public juridic persons within the Archdiocese, and while taking into account the rights, lawful customs and circumstances, he must regulate the administration of such ecclesiastical goods by issuing particular law for the Archdiocese at all times, within the limits of universal Church Law.  Accordingly, the following persons, ecclesiastical organizations and/or public juridic persons, all of which follow Catholic teachings and are bound by Canon Law, are required to follow the Pastoral Handbook in its entirety:

• The Archdiocese and its employees;
• Archdiocesan priests and deacons and those with faculties;
• All parishes within the territory of the Archdiocese, including those staffed by religious institutes and all parish schools and their employees;

Where applicable/practical, and to the extent the terms contained herein do not conflict with their existing governing documents or operational procedures, other organizations and their employees under the ecclesiastical stewardship of the Archbishop, including the Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary at Mount Olivet, Inc., The Mount Olivet Cemetery Association, St. Simeon Cemetery Association, Camp St. Malo Religious Retreat and Conference Center, Inc. Archdiocese of Denver Management Corporation, The John Paul II Center for the New Evangelization, Bishop Machebeuf High School, Inc., Holy Family High School, Inc., Seeds of Hope, Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary, The Redemptoris Mater House of Formation and Family of Nazareth, Inc. should follow the Pastoral Handbook.

Where applicable/practical, any other organizations such as trusts, foundations or corporations, subject to the ecclesiastical stewardship of the Archbishop,  may utilize the Pastoral Handbook to the degree that this Handbook is found helpful by those charged with directing such organizations and/or is adopted by their governing bodies.

Date: October 4, 2007

Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.

Policy Creation and Implementation

Policy
 
The Pastoral Handbook provides a broad framework of documented policies and procedures that serve the best interests of the Archdiocese and those Catholic entities and juridic persons identified in the Preamble.  This Handbook is also intended to help pastors, employees, and those serving in various advisory capacities to achieve the highest standards of professional conduct in the Church, consistent with Canonical requirements whereby the Church is to ensure harmony with secular (civil) laws so that no harm will come to the Church through the non-observance of civil law (Canon 1284 and 1290).  The Handbook provides a mechanism to communicate to persons and organizations guided by the Archbishop and followers of the Catholic faith in their various ministries and, at the same time, help such individuals to evaluate their practices to improve the quality and consistency of their respective ministries.  All parish and ecclesiastical related organizations listed in the Preamble are to maintain a complete copy of the Pastoral Handbook.   

The Pastoral Handbook is promulgated by the Archbishop of Denver ("Archbishop").  Should procedures for implementing the Handbook be necessary (e.g., approving changed programs of catechetical instruction in parishes), this is to be done in conjunction with the Moderator of the Curia.  If these procedures overlap and involve the conduct of business or financial affairs (e.g., the guidelines for solicitation of donations from the faithful), the CFO, in consultation with the Archbishop, is delegated the responsibility of approving these procedures so long as such delegation is provided in writing.

Policy Changes

The Handbook shall periodically be reviewed by the Moderator of the Curia, Chancellor, CFO and the Presbyteral Council, considering all suggested policy revisions, proposed policies and policy deletions before any changes become effective.

The Moderator of the Curia, Chancellor and the CFO shall implement the broad policies established by the Archbishop by designating directors and managers responsible for maintaining and communicating each policy.  Directors and managers, in turn, are responsible for ensuring that all written procedures that meet routine needs of the Archdiocese conform to these canonical and ecclesiastical requirements.

Supplemental procedures adopted by parishes and schools of the Archdiocese can be no less restrictive than are contained in this Handbook.  Pastors can invoke more stringent business procedures for their parishes, but must ensure that all policies in this Handbook are followed.

Promulgation of the Pastoral Handbook occurs through publication of a decree in the Denver Catholic Register ("DCR").  The Pastoral Handbook is sent to various directors of the Archdiocese, priests, deacons, the business administrator of each parish, and the principal of each parish school, if applicable, and to other ecclesiastical organizations established by the Archbishop.  Periodic revisions of the Pastoral Handbook, in whole or in part, are sent by regular mail, fax, or e-mail from the Office of the Archbishop with the accompanying decree of promulgation signed by the Archbishop.   The date of promulgation of supplemental changes is the date of publication of the decree in the DCR with an effective date 1 month after this publication. 

The Pastoral Handbook is made available to Archdiocesan employees in the offices of the Moderator of the Curia, the Chancellor, and the CFO.  The Office of the Chancellor also maintains a file of the suppressed particular law.
 
The term "related ecclesiastical organization(s)" refers to legal entities listed in the Preamble to the Pastoral Handbook and, as defined, in the attached Principal Abbreviations.  Other Roman Catholic organizations established by the Archbishop are encouraged to adopt portions of the Pastoral Handbook deemed beneficial by their applicable governing boards.