Registered
- Charity no. 111262
- Company no. 3739
- Date registered. 19/08/2026
Public benefits
St. Michael's Diocesan Trust ("St. Michael's DT") is a bare trust company established in 1956 to hold the legal title to property on behalf of the Roman Catholic parishes in Northern Ireland that form part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Clogher. It has no beneficial interest in the properties it holds and acts solely as trustee for the relevant
parishes. The Diocese of Clogher spans both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, comprising 37 parishes: 15 in Northern Ireland, 20 in the Republic of Ireland and 2 that extend across the border. The Diocese exists to advance the Roman Catholic religion by enabling the Bishop to fulfil his responsibilities under Canon Law through worship, pastoral ministry, education, the provision of clergy, the relief of poverty, and the provision and maintenance of churches, parish centres, schools, cemeteries and other facilities that support its charitable mission.(The Bishop is seated in County Monaghan.) The beneficial ownership of the properties held by St. Michael's DT, together with the activities of the Northern Ireland parishes, is reflected in the financial statements of the RC Diocese and Parishes of Clogher, a charity registered in the Republic of Ireland and regulated by the Irish Charities Regulator. Although St. Michael's DT was originally established with wider objects, in practice it has always operated solely as a bare trustee. Its purpose is to hold legal title to parish property in Northern Ireland, enabling property transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, conveyancing and grant applications, to be undertaken on behalf of the beneficial owners. Registration with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland will provide appropriate regulatory recognition of St. Michael's DT's role as the legal holder of parish property and ensure transparency in the administration of assets held exclusively for the charitable purposes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Clogher. BENEFITS: The direct benefit provided by St. Michael's Diocesan Trust is the secure holding and administration of property used exclusively for charitable purposes by the Roman Catholic parishes of the Diocese of Clogher in Northern Ireland. By holding legal title to churches, parish centres, schools, cemeteries, clergy residences and other parish property, the Trust ensures that these assets are properly protected and can be managed, maintained, acquired, disposed of and developed where necessary. This enables the parishes to continue providing public worship, pastoral care, religious education, community support and other charitable activities without interruption. The Trust also facilitates property transactions, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and applications for grants to improve or maintain parish facilities. Although the Trust does not itself deliver charitable programs or services, its activities directly support the infrastructure from which the charitable work of the Diocese and its parishes is carried out. This provides a public benefit by ensuring that property dedicated to charitable purposes remains available for the advancement of religion and the wider benefit of the communities served by the parishes throughout Northern Ireland. The benefits are demonstrated through the continued use of the properties held by the Trust for the charitable purposes of the Roman Catholic parishes in Northern Ireland within the Diocese of Clogher. These properties provide the facilities from which public worship, pastoral ministry, religious education and community activities are carried out. The Trust's role is evidenced by property title deeds, conveyancing records, legal agreements, grant applications and other documentation relating to the ownership and administration of parish property. The beneficial ownership of the properties and their charitable use are reflected in the financial statements of the RC Diocese and Parishes of Clogher, demonstrating that the assets are held and managed solely to support the charitable work of the Diocese and its parishes. [Is there any harm arising from any of the purposes?] No The beneficiaries are broad and multifaceted. They include local communities (parishioners), the poor and homeless, individuals experiencing financial hardship,the vulnerable, migrants and refugees, and retired clergy. Dioceses also support overseas development aid and fund pastoral outreach, education, and youth ministries. [Is there any private benefit flowing from any of the purposes?] No
What your organisation does
St. Michael's Diocesan Trust carries out its purpose by acting as the legal trustee for property owned beneficially by the Roman Catholic parishes in Northern Ireland within the Diocese of Clogher. The Trust holds the legal title to land and buildings solely on behalf of the parishes and has no beneficial interest in the assets. In its capacity as
trustee, the Trust acquires, holds, transfers and disposes of property as directed by the beneficial owners and in furtherance of the charitable purposes of the Diocese and its parishes. It facilitates conveyancing transactions, executes legal documents, and applies for grants and statutory approvals where the legal owner of the property is required to do so. The properties held by the Trust include churches, parish centres, schools, cemeteries, clergy residences and other buildings used to support the religious, pastoral and charitable activities of the Diocese. By ensuring that these assets are properly held and administered, the Trust enables the parishes to continue carrying out their charitable work for the advancement of the Roman Catholic religion and the benefit of their local communities. The Trust does not undertake separate charitable programmes or fundraising activities. Its role is limited to holding and administering property as a bare trustee, thereby supporting the charitable mission of the Diocese of Clogher and its Northern Ireland parishes.
The charity’s classifications
- The prevention or relief of poverty
- The advancement of education
- The advancement of religion
- Other charitable purposes
Who the charity helps
- Children (5-13 year olds)
- Older people
How the charity works
- Community development
- Community development
- Education/training
- Religious activities
- Religious activities
- Religious activities
- Religious activities