The Archdiocese of Port of Spain was represented by Gilbert Sankar at this year’s Conference of the Antilles Diocesan Fiscal Officers (CADFO), which officially began on Monday, June 17, at the picturesque Dunsinane Marian Shrine in Mandeville, Jamaica.
The five-day conference, which concluded June 21, centred on the theme The Mission of Finance Officers in a Synodal Church.
The CADFO conference provides an essential platform for diocesan fiscal officers to exchange knowledge, develop strategic insights, and enhance their roles in financial stewardship within the Church.
This year’s focus on the synodal mission underscored the importance of collaborative leadership and shared responsibility in managing Church finances effectively.
The conference included representatives from several dioceses such as Archbishop Patrick Pinder of Nassau, Bahamas and other participants from St Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Barbados, St Lucia, Belize, Suriname, Dominica, and Antigua.
The event began with a welcoming Holy Mass at the Dunsinane Chapel, led by Bishop John Persaud of Mandeville.
Following early morning Mass celebrated by Archbishop Pinder on the second day, the morning sessions, led by Fr Donald Chambers, included presentations on ‘The Diocesan Fiscal Officer and the Synodal Journey’ and ‘Introduction to Conversation in the Spirit’.
In the afternoon, Bishop Persaud presented on ‘Canon Law – The Role and Duties of the Diocesan Financial Officer’, as well as the importance of distinguishing between ordinary and extraordinary acts of administration.
Wednesday’s sessions focused on contemporary challenges faced by diocesan finance officers. Roland Kissoon led a Zoom session on ‘Preventing and Detecting Fraud and Strengthening Cybersecurity at our Diocese’ followed by a presentation from Paul Bitter on ‘Risk management, security controls over Church property and the importance of adequate insurance coverage.’
Afternoon discussions led by Rohan Brown and Joyce Reynolds-Robinson, centred on hurricane preparedness, and building capacity for immediate post-hurricane response. The day ended with a business meeting and an evening of recreation.
Thursday’s agenda featured a comprehensive workshop on adopting the ‘International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) at the Diocese’ conducted by Laurene Augier.
An afternoon highlight was a trip to Little Ochi Seafood Restaurant by the Beach.
The conference concluded with 7.30 a.m. Mass by Archbishop Pinder, followed by breakfast and participant departures.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash