Church Financial Administrators unite in Canberra for National Forum on Leadership and Resilience

(Left to right) Sydney Archdiocese Director of Finance Peter Foley, psychologist Angela McCabe, Archdiocese of Perth Chief Financial Officer Walt Italiano and Canberra and Goulburn Archdiocesan Financial Administrator Helen Delahunty.

Every year, Diocesan Financial Administrators (DFAs) from around Australia gather for three days at a national forum attendees call a “priceless experience.”

The forum facilitates communication, consultation, and collaboration between the churches. It provides the opportunity for DFAs to reflect on the responsibility of the Church to ensure the administration of economic resources is always directed in accordance with the teaching and law of the Church.

Canberra and Goulburn Archdiocesan Financial Administrator Helen Delahunty said it was an honour to host the 28 DFAs in Canberra this week.

“Our building is such a great place to have the meeting – and the participants loved our facilities,” she said.

“The collegiality and the sharing of ideas are the most valuable aspects. The DFAs are a group who can rely on each other for guidance and help in almost any part of our broad role.”

Armidale DFA David Smith agreed, noting the shared learning and experiences were invaluable.

“Leadership can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be,” he said.

“What I love about this forum is that it isn’t an expectation – you come, listen, and catch up with everyone. There is so much to be learned from hearing how someone else has faced a problem. We can make things better for each other.”

Darwin DFA Anne Coulter said the networking aspect was important, particularly as she worked alone in her role.

“It can be isolating, and being able to reach out and connect is really comforting,” she explained.

“The richness of knowledge is really great. We are sharing ideas – not reinventing the wheel – knowing that the issues are common and there are people who have thought about and before.”

The forum covered topics including insurance, property and claims, but also focused on the wellbeing of those in Church leadership positions.

One session, led by psychologist Angela McCabe, focused on learning how to deal with stress.

“The number one reason people in a workplace come to see a psychologist is interpersonal relationships,” Dr McCabe said.

“When relationships are harmonious, that goes a long way to deal with stress. When people have difficult jobs to do – when they are connected to each other – they are less stressed.”

Sydney Director of Finance Peter Foley said the session had offered a chance to stop and reflect on personal interactions.

“It’s giving more self-awareness to your relationships with others and also think of areas for self-improvement,” he said.

“It is about both your own personal resilience and being able to support other people with their resilience and travel their journey with them professionally or through life.”