Wall raising at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, Roswell. (Photo by Michael Alexander, The Georgia Bulletin.)

Parish Conceptual Project Approval: Obtain Archbishop’s Approval (Step 2)

We have presented this process in two distinct ways: in a Process Diagram and Narrative Description. These are intended to be complete in and of themselves with links to all relevant documents in both sections. Please use whichever approach suits your method of thinking.

Important Consideration

No other step is to be taken, nor is any consultant (architect, engineer, planner, interior designer, etc.) to be retained, until the Pastor has received written approval and permission to proceed from the Archbishop.

Narrative Approach

The following describes what needs to take place after the Pastor with his Small Project Study Team prepares and reviews preliminary project plans and parish support in order to seek the Archbishop’s approval. This Conceptual Pastoral Project Approval is necessary before proceeding with any other step in the process.

Prepare Project Case Statement and Financials

The first task in Step 2 is to complete a draft of the Project Case Template with the desired attached documentation compiled from Step 1.
Please make special reference to the Financial Assessment Tool.

Review Plans with the Deanery

When planning a parish (or school) expansion, it is good to notify your neighbors. We ask that certain projects be reviewed by the Deanery:

Project Type	Parish	School
Expansion of physical plant	Required	Required
Expansion of seating capacity in existing sanctuary	Required	NA
Construction or acquisition of rectory	Not required	NA
Replacement of major systems – electrical, HVAC, etc.	Not required	Not required
Routine maintenance and repairs	Not required	Not required
Repair of storm or accidental damage to restore to original condition	Not required	Not required

If your project requires Deanery Review, please send the Pastor approved Project Case Template to the Dean and to the other Pastors in the Deanery.
The project should be discussed at a Deanery meeting and a show of support from the other parishes should be documented by the Dean using the Deanery Review Form .

Obtain Conceptual Pastoral Approval

A cover letter with attached Project Case Template including the Deanery Review Form is then submitted to the Archbishop’s office to obtain Conceptual Pastoral Approval.
If the Archbishop agrees that the need exists and the capital improvement should be more fully investigated and planned, the Archbishop will respond to the Pastor in writing granting “Conceptual Pastoral Approval”.

Form Building Committee

Once this approval is received, a building committee will need to be mobilized in the parish to select the appropriate architects and general contractor. The Parish Team Formation Guidelines should aid with forming the building committee.
Also, a letter and a package will be sent to the parish to help guide it through the other steps in the process and will include copies of the diocesan policies related to acquisitions and capital improvements.
Moreover, the letter will advise the Pastor to contact the Catholic Construction Services (CCSI) and the Finance Department for help with overall project cost and the financial feasibility of the proposed improvement.