With my ordination and installation as the Bishop of Orlu, our diocese entered into its second phase of existence in terms of administration. As expected, some administrative restructuring took place as soon as I assumed office, followed by staff reshufflement. No one is now in doubt about our style of leadership; emergence of fresh ideas, creations of commissions and committees to evaluate already existing diocesan investment structures, and courageous demand for efficient financial responsibility.

To help realize our diocesan dream for efficient financial responsibility in all facets of our diocesan life, I commissioned a finance Policy drafting Committee to work out a reasonable, feasible and comprehensive diocesan finance policy, which will guide all financial transactions and management within the diocese and provide procedures and guidelines for financial engagements for diocesan agents/staff. Consequently, the Committee set to work with an eye on May 31, 2009 deadline. It took the committee approximately 12 weeks of diligence to deliver a finished work.

Hopefully, this Diocesan Finance Policy adequately articulated the intentions of our diocese, and could generate strong financial discipline and proper accounting procedure among the clergy, religious and the laity in the discharge of the spiritual and temporal goods of the Church.

If therefore this Diocesan Finance Policy succeeded in doing this, it would have helped in the systematization of our diocesan financial structure, and would indeed become a veritable instrument to enhance uniformity in our diocesan, regional and parochial financial activities. Hence, what this policy requires in order to succeed is maximum obedience, and strict compliance of all and sundry within our diocese of Orlu, with the regulations, directives, and prescriptions contained therein.

Relying, therefore, on the help of divine grace, supported by our Apostolic Authority, with certain knowledge and collaboration of the various rank and file of the people of God, and by means of these statutes of ours which is to have effect for the future, we promulgate this present Finance Policy as it has been compiled and reviewed. We order that henceforth, it is to have the force of law for the whole Catholic Diocese of Orlu, and we commit its observance to the care and vigilance of all who are responsible.

In order that all may properly study these prescriptions and imbibe before they take effect, we decree and command that they shall come into force from the 1st day of January 2010, all ordinances, constitutions and privileges, even those meriting special and individual attentions, as well as. contrary customs, notwithstanding.

Given at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Orlu, on the 7th day of October 2009, Feast of the Holy Rosary.

May God help us succeed in earnest intentions!
Most Rev. Dr. Augustine T. Ukwuoma
Bishop of Orlu