Five-day gathering will explore stewardship, transparency and the role of finance officers in a synodal Church
BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS — Diocesan fiscal officers from across the Antilles will gather in Barbados from October 12–16, 2026, for the Conference of the Antilles Diocesan Fiscal Officers (CADFO), under the theme “Fiscal Accountability in a Synodal Church.”
The five-day conference will take place at the Blue Horizon Hotel, Cot Road, Christ Church, Barbados, bringing together Church leaders and financial professionals for reflection, formation and discussion on the responsibilities of managing the temporal goods of the Church.
The programme combines spiritual formation with practical discussions on financial stewardship, Canon Law, ethical management, internal controls and the changing financial realities facing dioceses and parishes. 10, 12-16-2026 CADFO Agenda
The conference opens on Monday, October 12, with Holy Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Neil S. Scantlebury, followed by a welcome reception and dinner. The formal programme continues on Tuesday with Holy Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Patrick C. Pinder, followed by welcome remarks and introductions from Most Rev. Neil S. Scantlebury, Most Rev. Patrick C. Pinder and Jose Ortez. 10, 12-16-2026 CADFO Agenda
Faith and financial stewardship
A central focus of the opening day will be the relationship between the work of fiscal officers and the Church’s mission of synodality.
A spirituality session, “Fiscal Officers Partners in Synodality: Jesus our model, the Church our home,” will be led by Most Rev. Patrick C. Pinder. The session is intended to place the financial responsibilities of the Church within a broader spiritual and ecclesial context. 10, 12-16-2026 CADFO Agenda
The conference will then turn to the important legal and administrative responsibilities associated with Church finances. Sessions on financial stewardship and canonical accountability will address annual budgets and financial reporting, transparency and ethical management, responsibilities toward donors and benefactors, and the canonical consequences of negligence.
Another session will examine Canon Law and internal controls, including segregation of duties, fraud prevention, protection of Church assets and the responsibilities of finance personnel. These sessions will be presented by Most Rev. Kendrick Forbes, with an introduction by Most Rev. Patrick C. Pinder. 10, 12-16-2026 CADFO Agenda
Strengthening the Church’s financial governance
On Wednesday, October 14, attention will shift to the responsibilities of bishops, diocesan finance officers and diocesan finance councils.
The session “The Bishop’s Responsibility for Temporal Goods” will examine the authority and oversight of the diocesan bishop, the role of the diocesan finance officer and the role of the diocesan finance council, with reference to Canons 492–494. 10, 12-16-2026 CADFO Agenda
The programme will also explore the Church’s social responsibility through a session on Catholic Social Teaching, focusing on the care of the poor and vulnerable and stewardship as a spiritual vocation.
Financial ethics will be another major area of discussion. Presentations will consider integrity and honesty in financial management, avoiding conflicts of interest, parish sustainability, managing declining revenues, investment ethics, and the use of technology and financial controls. 10, 12-16-2026 CADFO Agenda
Sharing best practices
The conference will also provide an opportunity for fiscal officers to exchange experiences and examine practical approaches to strengthening financial administration across the region.
Thursday’s programme includes “Best Practices for Financial Reporting,” featuring Jose Ortez, Alison James and Jeffery Gellineau, as well as a session on “Succession Planning for our Lay Staff,” presented by Andrew Ferriera. 10, 12-16-2026 CADFO Agenda
The day will conclude with Holy Mass, followed by a tour, dinner and closing ceremony. The conference concludes on Friday, October 16, with Holy Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Neil S. Scantlebury. 10, 12-16-2026 CADFO Agenda
A shared responsibility
The CADFO conference comes at a time when sound financial management remains an essential part of the Church’s ability to fulfil its pastoral and evangelising mission.
By bringing together those entrusted with the financial administration of dioceses, the conference creates space not only for professional development, but also for reflection on the deeper responsibility of stewardship.
Under the theme “Fiscal Accountability in a Synodal Church,” the gathering places accountability, transparency and ethical financial management within the wider vision of a Church that listens, participates and walks together.
For the Antilles, the conference offers an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among diocesan fiscal officers while encouraging responsible stewardship of the resources entrusted to the Church and its mission.
