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2024-12-31-accounts

Commissariat of the Holy Land

Annual Report and Accounts

31 December 2024

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 11
Accounts
Statement of financial activities 15
Balance sheet 16
Statement of cash flows 17
Principal accounting policies 18
Notes to the accounts 21

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 Audit LLP
130 Wood Street
London
EC2V 6DL
Solicitors SBP Law
Glade House
52 – 54 Carter Lane
London
EC4V 5EF
Principal bankers NatWest Bank plc
Stratford Broadway(2) Branch
Gredley House
1-11 Broadway
Stratford
London
E15 4DX

Commissariat of the Holy Land 1

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2024

The Trustees present their statutory report together with the accounts of Commissariat of the Holy Land for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 18 to 20 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 2024

Review of the year: 2024

The Trustees have met formally on five occasions during 2024.

The Good Friday Collection for 2024 raised £756,597. The Collection for 2023 was £617,200 which excludes the Legacy of Fr. S Cunnane-£301,154.

This year again we had a great response from the Dioceses of England, Scotland and Wales and on 13th. December 2024, the Trustees sent £900,000.00 to Washington, USA, according to the Protocol of the English-Speaking Conference of Commissariats.

Projects for the year 2024. A Call to Solidarity and the Service of Peace and Justice .

LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO THE CHURCHES OF THE MIDDLE EAST on the 7th. October 2024, First anniversary of the start of the Gaza War.

“ Dear brothers and sisters,

A year ago, the fuse of hatred was lit; it did not sputter, but exploded in a spiral of violence, in the shameful inability of the international community and the most powerful countries to silence the weapons and put an end to the tragedy of war. Blood is still being shed, as are tears. Anger is

growing, along with the desire for revenge, while it seems that few people care about what is most needed and what is most desired: dialogue and peace. I never tire of repeating that war is a defeat, that weapons do not build the future but destroy it, that violence never brings peace. History proves this, yet years and years of conflict seem to have taught us nothing.

People today do not know how to find peace. As Christians, we must never tire of imploring peace from God. Prayer and fasting are the weapons of love that change history, the weapons that defeat our one true enemy: the spirit of evil that foments war.

There is one thing that I wish to say to you, from the bottom of my heart, dear brothers and sisters, but also to the men and women of every confession and religion who in the Middle East are suffering from the insanity of war: I am close to you, I am with you.

I am with you, the people of Gaza, long embattled and in dire straits. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily.

I am with you, who have been forced to leave your homes, to abandon schooling and work and to find a place of refuge from the bombing.

I am with you, the mothers who weep while looking at your dead or wounded children, like Mary at the sight of Jesus; with you, the children of the great lands of the Middle East, where the intrigues of those in power deprive you of your right to play.

I am with you, who are afraid to look up for fear of fire raining down from the skies.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 3

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2024

Review of the year: 2024 (continued)

Projects for the year 2024. A Call to Solidarity and the Service of Peace and Justice .(continued)

LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO THE CHURCHES OF THE MIDDLE EAST on the 7th. October 2024, First anniversary of the start of the Gaza War.(continued)

I am with you, who have no voice, for despite all the talk of plans and strategies, there is little concern for those who suffer the devastation of war, which the powerful impose on others; yet they will be subject to the inflexible judgement of God (cf. Wis 6:8).

I am with you, who thirst for peace and justice, and refuse to yield to the logic of evil and, in the name of Jesus, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44).

Thank you, sons and daughters of peace, for consoling the heart of God, wounded by the evil of humanity. Fraternally, Pope Francis, Rome, Saint John Lateran, 7 October 2024

Project 1: Support of the Terra Sancta Schools and their families.

We continued this year to support the Custody’s continuing care and development of the educational opportunities in their Terra Sancta Schools and their support of students in Tertiary Education. The continuing atmosphere of war, has increased unemployment among families, which has in turn caused families to struggle to send their children to school.

Another challenge this year has been the struggle to pay the salaries of teachers and local collaborators who help us in the sanctuaries.

However, the Custody and the Church Communities continue to stay close to the people and give support and encouragement to hope. We need a heart as great as Christ’s. A heart capable of forgiving even those who condemned Him to die on the cross and those who killed Him.

Although feelings of sorrow did not extinguish the flame of hope for a brighter tomorrow, the old school building of the Terra Sancta School in Jerusalem celebrated the graduation of its 70th class in a restrained and modest way, due to the war in the country. Hope shone in the eyes of the graduates, who received their diplomas to enter universities.

Be peacemakers: graduation of the 70th class of the Terra Sancta School in Jerusalem.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 4

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2024

Review of the year: 2024 (continued)

Projects for the year 2024. A Call to Solidarity and the Service of Peace and Justice .(continued)

Project 1: Support of the Terra Sancta Schools and their families.(continued)

Juliana Catnacho, Graduate of the Terra Santa School in Jerusalem shared these words – “Today I find myself at a new stage in life. Thanks to our school and thanks to God, I hope to study medicine in our universities and carry the message of our school and become an ambassador in some way. We all carry the message of the Franciscans, which is love and peace. ”

Br Francesco Patton, of Customs of the Holy Land said – “We believe in good education, but at the same time the purpose of our education is to be able to live together in fraternity and peace in society.”

Project 2: Social Needs in the different communities throughout the Holy Land. Inspired with this Love of Christ, many of our Parishes have a great social outreach to their communities. We continue to help families to cope with the increased cost of living because of the war. Medical expenses and rents are also given much support with the lack of Pilgrims and tourism this year again.

There are old people’s homes and medical-welfare centres for the elderly and there are also activities linked to the Custody, but not directly managed by it. The Franciscan Boy Home is one of the many social institutions we have supported.

‘The Homes activity’ is also very important for local Christians, which aims to help families by contributing to the fundamental problem of housing. Through various building projects of whole areas, free housing is given to many families, contributions for the rent are given to other families and houses in precarious conditions are renovated.

Project 3: Faithful to the life of the Church and the Liturgies of the Shrines Good Friday doesn't last forever -

Jesus Christ carried the cross of the world on his shoulders, bearing the torments of his condemnation because of our sins in a world that is divided, devoid of love and where war has no mercy on the weak, including children, women, the elderly and the poor, as is the case today.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 5

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2024

Review of the year: 2024 (continued)

Projects for the year 2024. A Call to Solidarity and the Service of Peace and Justice .(continued)

Project 3: Faithful to the life of the Church and the Liturgies of the Shrines Good Friday doesn't last forever (continued)

On March 9, Good Friday, the Franciscan friars, together with a group of faithful, walked the fourteen Stations of the Cross along the Path of Redemption through the alleys of the Old City of Jerusalem. They did this because the Holy Land needs peace during these difficult times. War, as His Holiness Pope Francis has stated, leads to the bloody defeat of all. Father Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, says, "Good Friday does not last forever, and the light of Easter illuminates Calvary and helps us to live the experience of death with the hope of the Resurrection." Pope Francis also writes to local Christians of the Holy Land, "In a land divided by conflict, you are seeds of good; you are not alone, we will not abandon you; I keep you all in my prayers, thank you for maintaining hope despite the loss of all hope."

Project 4: Ecumenical Collaboration of Christian Churches working for peace and justice. While tragic and unacceptable events of violence occurred in the Holy Land, leaders and representatives of Christian churches in Jerusalem prayed for peace and justice during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

With their contacts and presence in these areas of conflict, the Custody- working with other organisations – actively seek to care for the victims, their families and contribute in dialogue with the different communities.

Project 5: No More War, No More Hate: A Cry from the Holy Land To Be Instruments of Peace in Middle East 11[th] .May 2024.

Father Ibrahim Faltas, ofm. Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land In this holy time of Easter speaks out again for peace.” I am here with a message of peace in a world full of conflicts and wars. As the Gospel according to John says: ‘In the world you will have tribulation, but believe me, I have overcome the world’. We children of the Christian faith believe that every person is created in the image and likeness of God.

And he/she has a right to life, dignity and peace.

But if we look at what is happening in Gaza after more than 200 days of war, we see a different picture. A stain of blood and tears where more than 35,000 people have died, including the elderly, innocent women and children. In these critical moments, I call on the presidents and leaders of the world, on behalf of every father and mother in Gaza and the families of the Palestinian and Israeli prisoners, to assume their historical and humanitarian responsibilities. I urge you to take immediate action to end any new military operation in Rafah, where thousands of innocent people live who have no other sin than to seek safety in their homeland. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’ (Mt 9:5).

Commissariat of the Holy Land 6

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2024

Review of the year: 2024 (continued)

Projects for the year 2024. A Call to Solidarity and the Service of Peace and Justice .(continued)

Project 5: No More War, No More Hate: A Cry from the Holy Land To Be Instruments of Peace in Middle East 11[th] .May 2024.(continued)

On the afternoon of 3 June 2024, weary of war and devastation, Jews, Muslims, Druze and Christians of all churches and denominations gathered in a peace march from Zion Square to Jaffa Gate.

A young rabbi prays on behalf of all those who have gathered there, weary of war and devastation. All present recognise themselves as united by a common humanity, fragile and beautiful – a sign of hope in the midst of suffering.

The Custody of the Holy Land and the Church Communities continue to stay close to the peoples of the Middle East giving support and encouragement to hope for the future.

We thank out Dioceses in the United Kingdom and all our benefactors who have given us such generous donations throughout the year. Remembering you all in our prayers.

Financial review

Income and expenditure

A summary of the year’s results can be found on page 15 of this annual report and accounts.

Total income for 2024 was £769,005 (2023 - £925,114). Of this, £756,597 (2023 - £617,200) was received in the form of donations, the vast majority being annual Good Friday church collections.

During the year, expenditure totalled £912,721 (2023 - £813,373). £900,030 (2023 - £800,030) 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 £166,582 (2023 - £310,298) 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 2024 to be adequate but not excessive.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 7

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2024

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 2024 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.

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:

Commissariat of the Holy Land 8

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2024

Governance and structure (continued)

Trustees’ responsibilities statement (continued)

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.

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.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 9

Trustees’ report Year to 31 December 2024

Governance and structure (continued)

Risk management (continued)

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 Holy Land for 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 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:

Trustee Brother Michael O’Kane ofm, Commissariat of the Holy land.

Approved by the Trustees on: 04.11.2025

Commissariat of the Holy Land 10

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2024

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 2024 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 11

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2024

Other information

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

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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the accounts themselves. 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

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ report We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of Trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on pages 8 and 9, 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 12

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2024

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts

We have been appointed as auditor under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder

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 13

Independent auditor’s report 31 December 2024

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 Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. 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 Audit LLP Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

Date: 4 November 2025

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

Commissariat of the Holy Land 14

Statement of financial activities Year to 31 December 2024

Notes Total
funds
2024
£		 Total
funds
2023
£
Income:
Donations and legacies
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 (expenditure) income and net movement in funds for the
year
Reconciliation of funds:
Balances brought forward at 1 January
Balances carried forward at 31 December
760,019
8,986		 919,654
5,460
769,005 925,114

900,030

12,691		 800,030
13,343
912,721 813,373
(143,716)
310,298		 111,741
198,557
166,582 310,298

All of the charity’s income and expenditure in both 2023 and 2024 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 15

Balance sheet 31 December 2024

Notes 2024
£		 2023
£
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		 177,598
(11,016)		 320,498
(10,200)
166,582 310,298
166,582 310,298

Approved by and signed on behalf of the Trustees by:

Trustee: Brother Michael O’Kane ofm

Approved by the Trustees on: 04.11.2025

Commissariat of the Holy Land 16

Statement of cash flows Year to 31 December 2024

Notes
2024
£		 2023
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by 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
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December
B

(151,886)


8,986

(142,900)
320,498		 107,081
5,460
112,541
207,957

177,598		 320,498

Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 December 2024.

A Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities

B
C		 2024
£		 2023
£
Net (expenditure) income (as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Interest receivable
Increase in creditors
Net cash(used in) provided by operating activities		 (143,716)
(8,986)
816		 111,741
(5,460)
800
(142,900) 107,081
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents 2024
£		 2023
£
Total cash and cash equivalents:Cash at bank and in hand 177,598 320,498
Analysis of changes in net debt 2023
£		 Cash flows
£		 2024
£
Cash at bank and in hand 320,498
(142,900)		 177,598

Commissariat of the Holy Land 17

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2024

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 2024 with comparative information given in respect to the year to 31 December 2023.

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), 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.

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 faces challenges presented by the current geopolitical and macroeconomic climate, 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.

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.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 18

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2024

Income (continued)

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 unless earlier notification is received which confirms the amount which shall be donated.

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

Legacies are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the legacy, the executors have established that there are sufficient surplus assets in the estate to pay the legacy, and any conditions attached to the legacy are within the control of the charity.

Entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, but the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

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.

Commissariat of the Holy Land 19

Principal accounting policies 31 December 2024

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.

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.

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Notes to the accounts 31 December 2024

1 Donations and legacies
Total Total
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Donations
. Church collections 756,597 617,200
. General 3,422 1,300
. Legacies — 301,154
760,019 919,654
2 Grants in support of the Custody of the Holy Land
2 Grants in support of the Custody of the Holy Land
Total Total
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Grants made directly to, and for support of, the Custody of the Holy Land:
. Commissariat of the Holy Land for the USA for support of the Custody of
the Holy Land 900,030 800,030
3 Support of the clergy
Total Total
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Books and subscriptions 971 929
Office costs 628 971
Bank charges 76 49
Governance costs
. Auditor’s remuneration, including accounts preparation* 11,016 11,394
12,691 13,343

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 (2023 – none).

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Notes to the accounts 31 December 2024

6 Trustees’ expenses and the remuneration of key management personnel The key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis comprise the Trustees.

No trustee received any remuneration in respect of their services during the year (2023 - £nil).

No trustee received reimbursement of expenses (2023 - £nil).

6 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
£		 2023
£
Accruals 11,016 10,200

7 Connected charities

During 2024, The Commissariat of the Holy Land was connected to one other charity by virtue of the fact that the charities used the same principal address and the connected charity’s Trustees had the power to appoint the Trustees of the Commissariat.

The connected charity is:

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 (2023 – none).

8 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the year (2023 – none).

9 Post balance sheet events

There have been no post balance sheet events since the year ended 31 December 2024.

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