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2021-12-31-accounts

Commissariat of the Holy Land

Annual Report and Accounts

31 December 2021

Charity Registration Number 263616

Contents

Reports

Reports
Reference and administrative details of
the charity, its trustees and advisers 1
Trustees’ report 2
Independent auditor’s report 10
Accounts
Statement of financial activities 14
Balance sheet 15
Statement of cash flows 16
Principal accounting policies 17
Notes to the accounts 20

Commissariat of the Holy Land

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers

Trustees Brother Michael O’Kane ofm
Brother Michael Copps ofm
UK Commissary to the Holy Land Brother Michael O’Kane ofm
Principal address The Franciscan Friary
557 High Road
Woodford Green
Essex
IG8 0RB
Charity registration number 263616
Auditor Buzzacott LLP
130 Wood Street
London
EC2V 6DL
Solicitors SBP Law
Glade House
52 – 54 Carter Lane
London
EC4V 5EF
Principal bankers National Westminster Bank plc
PO Box 3244
300 Romford Road
London
E7 9SH

Commissariat of the Holy Land 1

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2021

The trustees present their statutory report together with the accounts of Commissariat of the Holy Land for the year ended 31 December 2021.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 17 to 19 of the attached accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Introduction

The Custody of the Holy Land was, in the fourteenth century, entrusted by the Holy See to the Order of St Francis and remains to this day in the care of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor.

The Order of Friars Minor established a charitable trust known as the Commissariat of the Holy Land in 1971 to support the Custody in this work.

Constitution and organisation

The Commissariat of the Holy Land is governed by a trust deed dated 12 October 1971 and is registered under the Charities Act 2011, Charity Registration No. 263616.

Activities, objectives and specific policies

Principal aims and activities

The principal aims of the charity are:

The trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

Grant making policy

The objects of the charitable trust include the preservation of the Christian Shrines in the Holy Land and the spread of the Gospel, the provision of education and the relief of poverty among the Christians living in the Holy Land. The trustees have the responsibility to see that any payments to the Custody are used in support of one or more of those objects.

Commissariat of the Holy Land

2

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2021

Review of the year: 2021

----- Start of picture text -----
“Christ is risen. He is truly risen!”
----- End of picture text -----

On 14 February 2021, the Custody celebrated the 600th anniversary of the institution of the Commissariats of the Holy Land.

Brother FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land spoke at the Anniversary Liturgy - "Let us say that our presence is 800 years old, then basically after about a century this Franciscan mission in the Holy Land became, by the will of Pope Clement VI, the Custody of the Holy Land, that is, we were entrusted with the Custody of the Holy Places. After about another century, in 1421, on February 14, another Pope, Martin V, gave the Custody the possibility of having these "ambassadors" around the world who are the Commissioners of the Holy Land." In 1421 Pope Martin V issued his bull "His quae pro ecclesiasticarum", which became the birth certificate of the Commissariats of the Holy Land.

From this long and dedicated service to the Church and peoples of the Holy Land, Brother FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm also summarised the present-day outreach of the Custody in figures:

"300 missionaries, 80 shrines, 25 parishes, 18 schools, 5 homes for the sick and orphans, 6 homes for pilgrims, 3 academic institutes, 2 publishing houses, 1,074 jobs, 630 housing units for needy families, over 500 annual scholarships for university students, 1,470 houses rebuilt in Syria."

This is the history of our Commissariat in England and the present-day trustees have met formally on three occasions during 2021.

The generous support of the Catholic Church throughout the United Kingdom continued through this financial year. The total amount donated from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 was £444,214.

On 26 November 2021, the trustees once more transferred £400,030 to the Washington Commissariat in the USA according to the Protocol of the English-Speaking Conference of Commissariats.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 3

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2021

Review of the year: 2021 (continued)

Our donation has contributed to the projects in this year’s report for 2021.

Projects helped 2021

Housing Renovations in Jerusalem and Bethlehem

The Custody is continuing the on-going renovation and improvement of various homes belonging to Terra Sancta in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. A long-term initiative of the Custody, our support contributes to ease the present suffering of the people from the

negative effects of the Pandemic, and the renovation of housing conditions.

GEORGE QARA'A Bethlehem: "A month and a half ago, the house burned down. The whole house turned black, there was no electricity in the house, all the glass was broken and the walls were black. It felt like entering a cave, not a house. The

children were afraid. Now the house is in better condition due to the help and care of Terra Sancta, an organization of the Custody of the Holy Land." George's is also the only Christian family in the neighbourhood. "As for living together with Muslims, there are no problems. If I have a problem, they help me. I live in peace with them. The Christmas atmosphere is nice, but we are really tired."

Commissariat of the Holy Land 4

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2021

Projects helped 2021 (continued)

Education and Formation in life

Continuing our support of the Custody’s work in the Terra Sancta Schools, we have also supported the ongoing studies and research of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum and the Studium Theologicum Jerosolimitanum.

In addition to supplying the Studium Biblicum with up-to-date research periodicals, we support the working of the staff and students in their studies to uncover the deep treasures of wisdom from Sacred Scripture and the archaeology of the biblical countries.

The work of the Studium Theologicum Jerosolimitanum in St Saviour’s Monastery continues to guide and nurture the formation of our friars and the training of candidates for the priesthood. It welcomes students from many nations and different continents.

The House of the Child in

Bethlehem

Another initiative of the Custody that we have supported is the House of the Child in Bethlehem.

Celebrating their 14[th] . Anniversary this year, the Custody of the Holy Land, through the House of the Child in the city of Bethlehem, has offered a warm refuge in which every child who is marginalized or exposed to difficult social conditions is embraced within its walls.

Br FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land "The

House of the Child here in Bethlehem for us friars of the Custody of the Holy Land is more than just an activity. We are in the city where the Son of God became a child, and Bethlehem is the city of the Child Jesus. This is an initiative, an activity and a work at the service of children who face greater difficulties at the family and social level. We must always remember what Jesus himself says in the Gospel: "What you did for one of my little brothers, you did for me".”

Commissariat of the Holy Land

5

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2021

Projects helped 2021 (continued)

The House of the Child in Bethlehem (continued)

Br SANDRO TOMASEVICH, ofm Director of the House of the Child: "We have been through a very difficult time, we have experienced the pandemic and its great challenges. I really hope that our children always feel that we care about them, that we love them, and that there are people who help them and are always by their side."

Pope’s message to Holy Land youth: "Be faithful to your history, look to the horizon"

In a message recorded during his visit to Cyprus (4 December 2021) and broadcast on Christmas Eve 2021, Pope Francis spoke to the youth of Bethlehem and the Holy Land which also greatly encouraged the Friars of the Custody.

“Dear youth, I would like to greet you from Cyprus. I am close to you on the other side. I think of you very much, you who are in the Holy Land... a place of pilgrimage which, unfortunately, has suffered in a special way because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Sometimes you do not know what to do, sometimes you think that there is no future and that is why you meditate on emigrating elsewhere...

Please, do not let yourself get caught up in these negative thoughts. Look ahead, look at the horizon! There is always a horizon in life. We can do two things: look down or look at the horizon. Try to look at the horizon! There is always a promise, and when the promise is guaranteed by God's word, it never disappoints. Hope does not disappoint; God does not disappoint. Instead: commit to your land, commit to your country, and commit to your history. And carry that human vocation that God has given you! Do not give up, always look ahead, do not abandon the dream of building, of advancing your people, of growing your roots, your cultural wealth, your religious wealth. Forming a family is difficult in the present situation, but do not lose hope: hope does not disappoint!

Commissariat of the Holy Land 6

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2021

Projects helped 2021 (continued)

Pope’s message to Holy Land youth: "Be faithful to your history, look to the horizon" (continued)

On this Christmas Eve, who would have thought that this child was the son of God? The Wise Men sensed it and were ready to take the risk. That's why I say to you: in the midst of poverty, in a time of wars, of limitations, of barriers, of lack of freedom, think of the crib of Jesus. And just as He did what He did from a manger, you too in situations of contradiction can do great things! Bet on the future, dare! And you will see how God will bless you. Merry Christmas, holy Christmas. And please don't forget to pray for me. Thank you very much.”

Financial review

Income and expenditure

A summary of the year’s results can be found on page 14 of this annual report and accounts.

Total income for 2021 was £444,214 (2020 - £236,920). Of this, £444,192 (2020 - £236,598) was received in the form of donations, the vast majority being annual Good Friday church collections. In 2020 the collection was postponed until 13 September 2020 due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021 the annual Good Friday collections were able to take place.

During the year, expenditure totalled £410,645 (2020 - £409,931). £400,030 (2020 - £400,000) of this represents payments to the Commissariat of the USA for onward distribution to support work and projects of the Custody of the Holy Land, details of which are given above.

Financial position and reserves policy

The balance sheet shows total reserves of £135,808 (2020 – £102,239) which are represented largely by bank balances. It is the charity’s policy to hold reserves until such time as required for the work and projects of the Custody of the Holy Land. It is anticipated that such reserves would not exceed £500,000 in any year. The trustees regard the reserves held at 31 December 2021 to be adequate but not excessive.

Governance and structure

According to the trust deed, the trustees of the charity, of which there must be a minimum of two and a maximum of four, are appointed by the then trustees taking into account the views of the Custos of the Holy Land and the Provincial of the Friars Minor in England. At 31 December 2021 the trustees comprised the Commissary and Vice-Commissary, both members of the Order of Friars Minor. In practice, these appointments are reviewed at the triennial chapter of the Province. The functions of the trustees are to see firstly that contributions from the dioceses are properly accounted for and secondly to ensure the contributions are remitted to the Holy Land and spent in accordance with the objectives of the charity.

Commissariat of the Holy Land

7

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2021

Governance and structure (continued)

The trustees are kept up to date with financial and regulatory developments in the charity sector by the charity’s auditor and by attending training courses when necessary.

The names of the trustees who served during the year are set out as part of the reference and administration details on page 1 of this annual report.

The charity is administered directly by the trustees and the Commissary; there are no employees.

Trustees’ responsibilities statement

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period.

In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the charity’s trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 8

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2021

Governance and structure (continued)

Key management personnel

The trustees consider that they are the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.

The trustees are not remunerated.

Risk management

The trustees have assessed the risks to which the charity is exposed and consider that there are controls in place to mitigate those risks as far as is practicable, bearing in mind the difficult political situation in the Holy Land.

The trustees undertake an annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the charity faces categorising the risks between those affecting the governance and management of the charity, operational risks, financial risks, reputational risks and those which occur because of circumstances outside of the charity's control such as changes in government policy, laws and regulations. They regularly review the measures already in place, or needing to be put in place, to establish policies, systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the annual review and ensure that action is taken to implement changes to those policies, systems and procedures should they be needed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.

This work has identified one key risk for the charity which relates to the fact that the charity grants funds for ultimate use in the Holy Land, a part of the world where there continues to be considerable political unrest. To mitigate the associated risks, the charity passes most funds initially to the Commissariat of the United States of America (USA) so that, prior to being forwarded on to the Holy Land, the funds may be administered in collaboration with those raised by the other English-speaking Commissariats and suitable projects may be identified. Whether or not the funds are sent to the USA or directly to the Holy Land, the trustees always ensure that they are fully briefed about and familiar with the work of a potential projects and recipients of funds, that funds are transferred via bank transfer, that proof of receipt is obtained and that a full written report of how the monies have been utilised and applied is obtained from the recipient.

Signed on behalf of the trustees:

Brother Michael O’Kane ofm

Trustee

Approved by the trustees on: 21 September 2022

Commissariat of the Holy Land 9

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2021

Independent auditor’s report to the trustees of Commissariat of the Holy Land

Opinion

We have audited the accounts of Commissariat of the Holy Land (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2021 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and the notes to the accounts. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the accounts:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the accounts, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the accounts is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the accounts are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 10

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2021

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report and Accounts other than the accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the accounts, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the accounts or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the accounts, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 11

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2021

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these accounts.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

Commissariat of the Holy Land 12

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2021

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the accounts is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and with regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Buzzacott LLP Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

11 October 2022

Buzzacott LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

Commissariat of the Holy Land 13

Statement of financial activities Year to 31 December 2021

Notes Total
funds
2021
£		 Total
funds
2020
£
Income:
Donations
1
Interest receivable
Total income
Expenditure:
Charitable activities
. Grants in support of the Custody of the Holy Land
2
. Support of the clergy
3
Total expenditure
Net income (expenditure) and net movement in funds for
the year
Reconciliation of funds:
Balances brought forward at 1 January 2021
Balances carried forward at 31 December 2021		 444,192
22		 236,598
322
444,214 236,920
400,030
10,615		 400,000
9,931
410,645 409,931
33,569
102,239		 (173,011)
275,250
135,808 102,239

All of the charity’s income and expenditure in both 2020 and 2021 relates to unrestricted funds.

All activities of the charity derived from continuing operations during the above two financial years.

All recognised gains and losses are included in the above statement of financial activities.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 14

Balance sheet 31 December 2021

Notes 2021
£		 2020
£
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors:amounts falling due
within one year
7
Total net assets
The funds of the charity:
Unrestricted funds
. General fund		 144,508
(8,700)		 112,109
(9,870)
135,808 102,239
135,808 102,239

Approved by and signed

on behalf of the trustees by:

Brother Michael O’Kane ofm

Trustee

Approved by the trustees on: 21 September 2022

Commissariat of the Holy Land 15

Statement of cash flows Year to 31 December 2021

Notes
2021
£		 2020
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
A
Cash inflow from investing activities:
Interest received
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 2021
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2021
B
32,377
22		 (179,735)
322
32,399
112,109		 (179,413)
291,522

144,508		 112,109

Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 December 2021.

A Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

2021
£		 2020
£
Net income (expenditure) (as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Interest receivable
Decrease in creditors
Net cashprovided by (used in) operating activities		 33,569
(22)
(1,170)		 (173,011)
(322)
(6,402)
32,377 (179,735)

B Analysis of cash and cash equivalents

B Analysis of cash and cash equivalents Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
C 2021
£		 2020
£
Total cash and cash equivalents:Cash at bank and in hand 144,508 112,109
Analysis of changes in net debt 2020
£		 Cash flows
£		 2021
£
Cash and cash equivalents 112,109 32,399 144,508

Commissariat of the Holy Land 16

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2021

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below.

Basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared for the year ended 31 December 2021 with comparative information given in respect to the year to 31 December 2020.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items initially recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the principles set out in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

In preparing these accounts, the trustees have not been required to make significant judgements or estimates other than the estimation of future income and expenditure for the purpose of assessing going concern (see below).

Assessment of going concern

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these accounts.

The charity continues to face the challenges presented by the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the current geopolitical and macroeconomic climate. The trustees acknowledge that the levels of both income and hence expenditure may continue to be reduced in 2022 but the nature of the charity’s activities means that financially it will remain solvent and be able to support the Custody of the Holy Land in future years.

The trustees of the charity have concluded that notwithstanding the challenges detailed above, there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 17

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2021

Income

Income is recognised in the period in which the charity has entitlement to the income, the amount of income can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

Church collections in support of the work of the Custody of the Holy Land are made throughout the United Kingdom, excluding Northern Ireland. They are organised by the relevant dioceses, which may, at their discretion, pass the proceeds to the Commissariat for use in the Holy Land in accordance with its charitable objectives. They are, therefore, recognised on receipt from the dioceses.

In accordance with Charities SORP FRS 102 volunteer time is not recognised.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. The costs of charitable activities comprise expenditure on the charity’s primary charitable purposes as described in the trustees’ report and include:

Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity including audit costs and the necessary legal procedures for compliance with statutory requirements. Governance costs are included as part of support of the clergy within the statement of financial activities.

All expenditure is stated inclusive of unrecoverable VAT.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 18

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2021

Creditors

Creditors are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt.

Funds structure

General funds represent monies which may be used towards meeting the charitable objectives of the charity at the discretion of the trustees.

Commissariat of the Holy Land

19

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2021

1 Donations

Donations

Total
funds
2021
£




Total
funds
2020
£
Donations
. Church collections
. General		 441,813
2,379
235,398
1,200
444,192 236,598
Grants in support of the Custody of the Holy Land
 Total
funds
2021
£		 Total
funds
2020
£
400,000
400,000
Grants made directly to, and for support of, the Custody of the
Holy Land:
. Commissariat of the USA for support of the Custody of the Holy Land		 400,030
400,030

2 Grants in support of the Custody of the Holy Land

3 Support of the clergy

Support of the clergy

Total
funds
2021
£
Total
funds
2020
£
Books and subscriptions
Office costs
Bank charges
Governance costs
. Auditor’s remuneration, including VAT		 808
763
116
8,928		 754
805
113
8,259
10,615 9,931

4 Taxation

The Commissariat of the Holy Land is a registered charity and, therefore, is not liable to taxation on income and gains derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

5 Staff costs

There are no staff costs as the charity does not employ any staff (2020 – none).

Commissariat of the Holy Land 20

Notes to the accounts 31 December 2021

No trustee received any remuneration in respect of their services during the year (2020 - £nil).

No trustee received reimbursement of expenses (2020 - £nil).

7 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2021
£		 2020
£
Accruals 8,700 9,870

8 Church collection income committed

Church collections at Easter 2021 (2020: collections rescheduled to September 2020) in support of the work of the Custody of the Holy Land which had not been remitted by dioceses to the charity as at 31 December 2021 exceeded £140,000 (2020 - £71,000). In accordance with the accounting policy, as the exact amount and timing of the remittance of these collections to the charity is unknown, the income has not been recognised in these accounts.

9 Connected charities

The Commissariat of the Holy Land is connected to one other charity by virtue of the fact that the charities use the same principal address and the connected charity’s trustees have the power to appoint the trustees of the Commissariat.

The connected charity is:

Name Charity
Registration No		 Charitable objectives
The Order of Friars Minor 232177 The support of charitable purposes
connected with the Roman Catholic
religion
and
the
support
of
the
charitable work of the Order.

There were no financial transactions between the Commissariat of the Holy Land and The Order of Friars Minor during the year (2020 – none).

10 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the year (2020 – none).

Commissariat of the Holy Land 21