Diocesan Finance Council

Scope and Purpose

In every diocese, a Finance Council is to be established.  The diocesan bishop himself or his delegate presides over this body, and it consists of at least three members of the Christian faithful truly expert in Financial affairs and civil law, outstanding in integrity, and appointed by the Bishop.  Members of the Finance Council are to be appointed for three years, but at the end of this period, they can be appointed for subsequent terms. Persons who are related to the bishop up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity are excluded from the Finance Council.  

The Finance Council prepares each year, according to the directions of the diocesan bishop, a budget of the income and expenditures which are foreseen for the entire governance of the diocese in the coming year and at the end of the year examines an account of the revenue and expenses.

Composition

The Finance Council of the Diocese of Baton Rouge is comprised of the following members:  four ex-officio (Bishop, Vicar General, Oeconemous, & Accounting Review Officer), seven lay members, and two priests.  The Council is governed by these statutes that govern their terms of service.

2026 Diocesan Finance Council Membership (As of 01 February 2026)

Steven Barbera (South Deanery Representative)
Regions Bank, Vice President - Commercial Banking 
736 Grand Calliou Road, Houma, Louisiana 70363
 
Steven Brown (Northwest Deanery Representative) 
The Cottonport Bank, Loan Officer 
6500 Corporate Boulevard, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809
 
Very Reverend Brad Doyle (Priest Representative)
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Pastor
Post Office Box 1249, St. Francisville, Louisiana 70775
 
Deacon Christopher Landry (East Central Deanery Representative)
A La Carte Foods, Owner
278 Ideal Street, Belle Rose, Louisiana 70341
 
Ragan Richard (At-Large Representative)
Phelps Dunbar, LLC, Partner
400 Convention Street, Suite 1100, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
 
Michael Sharp (Northeast Deanery Representative)
Sharp Outdoors, LLC
Post Office Box 27, Springfield, Louisiana 70462
 
Desiree Honore Thomas (Baton Rouge Deanery Representative)
Southern University & A&M College, Associate Vice President/Senior Operations Officer
801 Harding Boulevard, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807
 
Roland Toups (At-Large Representative)
Turner Industries, Ltd., Retired 
1021 Oakley Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806
 
Ex-Officio Members
Most Reverend Michael G. Duca (Bishop of Baton Rouge)
Very Reverend Jamin S. David (Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia)
Glenn Landry (Oeconemous)
Selina McNeely (Accounting Review Officer)