Priest

The ministerial orders of the Roman Catholic Church are those of bishop, presbyter (more commonly called priest in English), and deacon. The ordained priesthood and the common priesthood (or priesthood of all the baptized) are different in function and essence.

Unlike usage in English, "the Latin words sacerdos and sacerdotium are used to refer in general to the ministerial priesthood shared by bishops and presbyters. The words presbyter, presbyterium and presbyteratus refer to priests in the English use of the word or presbyters".

In late 2008, there were 409,166 Catholic priests (presbyters) of the Latin Church and the eastern Catholic Churches worldwide.

The Roman Catholic church does not ordain women as priests or deacons.

2 Kinds of Priests

When a reference is made to two kinds of priests, it is a reference to Diocesan priests and non-Diocesan priests. They differ in the authority that they are called to obey and in the vows that they make. 

The Diocesan priest is under the supervision of the Diocesan Bishop. To the Bishop, he makes the vows of obedience and chastity. He does not make the vow of poverty, this meaning that he can own property or be involved in operating a business, over and above the ministry capacity in which he is called to serve. Usually these priests will only minister in their Diocese during their lifetime.

The non-Diocesan priests belong to a Religious Order such as the Franciscans, the Jesuits, the Dominicans, the Oblats, the Redemptorists, etc... They make the vows of obedience, chastity and poverty. They do not own anything. What they use, it belongs to the religious community. If they receive earnings for work performed, the cheque goes to the Religious Order that provides all of their daily needs. They answer to their superior who answers to the "Provincial" (the District authority).

These non-Diocesan priests are appointed to a Church/Parish by their Provincial. The Provincial works closely with the Diocesan Bishops within his district. Any of these Bishops may ask him to manage a Church/parish or open up a mission within their territory. He may accept or deny the requests. If he accepts them, he then sends forth his priests by appointment for a number of years. After the completion of a set number of years, these priests are transferred elsewhere. These priests may minister in numerous Parishes, Dioceses, Provinces/States and countries during their lifetime.

Origins

The Old Testament (NIV) describes how God made his people "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation," and within the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribe of Levi was chosen to be set apart for the liturgical service of offering sacrifice as priests. The priest was understood as a mediator between God and human beings who offers sacrifices and intercedes for the people.

The New Testament depicts Jesus as the "great high priest" of the New Covenant who, instead of offering the ritual animal sacrifices prescribed by the Jewish Law, offers himself on the cross as the true and perfect sacrifice. 

The Catholic priesthood is a participation in this priesthood of Christ and therefore traces its origins to Jesus Christ himself. Thus, the New Testament says that as high priest, Jesus has made the Church "a kingdom of priests for his God and Father." All who are baptized are given a share in the priesthood of Christ; that is, they are conformed to Christ and made capable of offering true worship and praise to God as Christians. "The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly." 

The ministerial priesthood of Catholic priests and bishops has a distinct history. This ministerial priesthood is at the service of the priesthood of all believers and involves the direct consecration of a man to Christ through the sacrament of orders, so that he can act in the person of Christ for the sake of the Christian faithful, above all in dispensing the sacraments. 

It is understood to have begun at the Last Supper, when Jesus Christ instituted the Eucharist in the presence of the Twelve Apostles, commanding them to "do this in memory of me." The Catholic priesthood, therefore, is a share in the priesthood of Christ and traces its historical origins to the Twelve Apostles appointed by Christ.

Those apostles in turn selected other men to succeed them as the bishops ("episkopoi", Greek for "overseers") of the Christian communities, with whom were associated presbyters ("presbyteroi", Greek for "elders") and deacons ("diakonoi", Greek for "servants"). As communities multiplied and grew in size, the bishops appointed more and more presbyters to preside at the Eucharist in place of the bishop in the multiple communities in each region. The diaconate evolved as the liturgical assistants of the bishop and his delegate for the administration of Church funds and programmes for the poor. 

Today, the rank of "presbyter" is typically what one thinks of as a "priest", although technically both a bishop and a presbyter are "priests" in the sense that they share in Christ's ministerial priesthood and offer sacrifice to God in the person of Christ.

As expressed by Saint Thomas Aquinas, "Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers." Thus, Catholic clergy share in the one, unique, Priesthood of Christ.

How to become a Priest

First of all, you will have to be a male baptized Catholic. Whilst God can call anyone at any age to the priesthood, most dioceses and religious communities have an age limit and not all sponsors (who will pay for seminary studies and boarding costs) will accept candidates who cannot be ordained by 40, 50 or 55 years old (it depends on each diocese but averagely 45 years old). The logic behind this is because studying at seminary to be a priest lasts 6 to 8 years and diocesan priests are allowed to retire from active parish duty at 65 years of age (in most dioceses). The time available to serve the diocese (or religious order) after being ordained and resources invested are factors in age acceptance.

A candidate for the priesthood will also be assessed on academic ability, physical health, mental and spiritual health, evidence of an ability to live a celibate life, realistic idea of what is required of a parish priest which is often demonstrated by a candidate’s involvement in a parish community.

A previous marriage does not make it impossible to consider a call to priesthood. A widower may enter seminary or a divorcee provided an annulment is granted.  Some dioceses or religious communities do not accept divorcees. If the candidate has children, they must be at least 18 years of age and financially independent of their father.

The priesthood is not just for saints, persons who have made mistakes in life may become priests. Some actions, however, are impediments to acceptance into a seminary and ordination, for example, voluntary homicide, procuring an effective abortion or positive cooperation in either. The same would be true for one who has been guilty of apostasy, heresy or schism. In addition, if one has had some other seriously detrimental behavioral pattern, e.g. alcoholism or other drug abuse, or sexual activity, a suitable period of probation must be demonstrated to assure than one can successfully live a sober and celibate life. 

A candidate to be a priest does not need to be a virgin. The person’s past life is not the main concern, it is the willingness and ability to now live and love as a celibate person in the service of others.

Most importantly, the vocation to the priesthood is a calling by God. Prayer and discernment is required to be sure that God is indeed calling a person to be a priest. Candidates are asked to talk to their parish priest and the diocese's vocations director. They will talk with the candidate about the vocation and possibly arrange for a retreat specifically for discerning the priesthood.

The next step would be to join the diocesan seminary for further discernment of God’s will and clerical studies. Life at the seminary can be between 6 to 8 years before ordination.

The final test of whether a candidate has a vocation to the priesthood is the call of the bishop. If called to the priesthood, ordination follows either directly as a priest or a transitional deacon initially.

Educational Qualifications of a Priest

The Canon law of the Catholic Church holds that the priesthood is a sacred and perpetual vocational state, not just a profession, and regulates the formation and studies of clerics. In the Latin rite, this legislation is found in canons 232–264. 

As a general rule, education is extensive and lasts at least five or six years, depending on the national Programme of Priestly Formation.

• In the United States, priests must have a four-year university degree in Catholic philosophy plus an additional four to five years of graduate-level seminary formation in theology with a focus on Biblical research. A Master of Divinity is the most common degree.

• In Scotland, there is a mandatory year of preparation before entering seminary for a year dedicated to spiritual formation, followed by several years of study.

• In Europe, Australasia and North America, seminarians usually graduate with a Master of Divinity or a Master of Theology degree, which is a four-year professional degree (as opposed to a Master of Arts which is an academic degree). At least four years are to be in theological studies at the major seminary.

• In Africa, Asia and South America, programmes are more flexible, being developed according to the age and academic abilities of those preparing for ordination.

Regardless of where a person prepares for ordination, it includes not only academics but also human, social, spiritual and pastoral formation. The purpose of seminary education is ultimately to prepare men to be pastors of souls. 

In the end, however, each individual bishop is responsible for the official call to priesthood, and only they may ordain. Any ordinations done before the normally scheduled time (before study completion) must have the explicit approval of the bishop. Any such ordinations done more than a year in advance of completion of studies must have the approval of the Holy See.

Rite of Ordination “Holy Orders”

The Rite of Ordination is what "makes" one a priest. Usually a priest to be ordained is already a deacon. The ordinary minister of Holy Orders is a validly ordained bishop.

The Rite of Ordination occurs within the context of Holy Mass. After being called forward and presented to the assembly, the candidates are questioned. Each promises to diligently perform the duties of the Priesthood and to respect and obey his ordinary (bishop or religious superior). 

Then the candidates lie prostrate before the altar, while the assembled faithful kneel and pray for the help of all the saints in the singing of the Litany of the Saints.

The essential part of the rite is when the bishop silently lays his hands upon each candidate (followed by all priests present), before offering the consecratory prayer, addressed to God the Father, invoking the power of the Holy Spirit upon those being ordained.

After the consecratory prayer, the newly ordained is vested with the stole and chasuble of those belonging to the Ministerial Priesthood and then the bishop anoints his hands with chrism before presenting him with the holy chalice and paten which he will use when presiding at the Eucharist. 

Following this, the gifts of bread and wine are brought forward by the people and given to the new priest. Then all the priests present, concelebrate the Eucharist with the newly ordained taking the place of honour at the right of the bishop. If there are several newly ordained, it is they who gather closest to the bishop during the Eucharistic Prayer.

The laying of hands of the priesthood is found in 1 Timothy 4:14: “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate."

The full rite of ordination is produced at the end of this chapter.

Celibacy (only since 1139)

The earliest Christians were Jews and Jewish tradition has always deemed the married state as more spiritual than the celibate state. Christian tradition places a high valuation on chastity as a special gift of God. The life of a priest involves being conformed to Christ. It is known that the Apostle Peter had a spouse from Gospel stories of Peter's mother-in-law sick with fever (Matt 8:14, Mark 1:29, Luke 4:38) and from Paul's mention that Peter took along a believing wife in his ministry (1 Cor 9:5).

From its beginnings, the idea of clerical celibacy has been contested in canon courts, in theology, and in religious practices. 

The Council of Elvirain Spain (approximately 305-306) was the first council to call for clerical celibacy. In February 385, Pope Siricius wrote the Directa decretal, which was a long letter to Spanish bishop Himerius of Tarragona, replying to the bishop’s requests on various subjects, which had been sent several months earlier to Pope Damasus I. It was the first of a series of documents published by the Church's magisterium that claimed apostolic origin for clerical celibacy and reminded ministers of the altar of the perpetual continence required.

Within a century of the Great Schism of 1054, the Churches of the East and West arrived at different disciplines as to abstaining from sexual contact during marriage. In the East, candidates for the Priesthood could be married with permission to have regular sexual relations with their wives, but were required to abstain before celebrating the Eucharist. An unmarried person, once ordained, could not marry. Additionally, the Christian East required that, before becoming a bishop, a priest separate from his wife (she was permitted to object), with her typically becoming a nun. In the East, more normally, bishops are chosen from those priests who are monks and are thus unmarried.

In the West, the law of celibacy became mandatory by Pope Gregory VII at the Roman Synod of 1074. This law mandated that, in order to become a candidate for ordination, a man could not be married. The law remains in effect in the West, although not for those who are Eastern Rite Catholic clergy, who remain under the ancient Eastern discipline of sexual abstinence before celebration of the Liturgy, as do Eastern Orthodox priests. The issue of mandatory celibacy continues to be debated, though successive popes have declared that the discipline will not change.

Celibacy for Roman Catholic priests was not mandated under canon law for the universal church until the Second Lateran Council in 1139.

Supernatural Powers

The Catholic priest has two supernatural powers. They are:

1. The power to change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

2. The power to forgive sins in the Sacrament of Confession (Penance/Reconciliation).

Duties of Priests

Broadly, the 3 duties of the ordained priest are:

(1) Munus docendi (The duty to teach, based on Christ's role as Prophet.)

(2) Munus sanctificandi (The duty to sanctify, based on Chris's role as Priest)

(3) Munus regendi (The duty to shepherd, based on Christ's role as King)

Specifically, the three main roles of the Priest is to:

1. Offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass i.e. Celebrate the Eucharist.

1. Hear confessions and to forgive sins.

1. Offer counselling.

Priests are also responsible for daily recitation of the principal and minor offices of the Liturgy of the Hours.

To the priestly office also belongs the faculty of administering the ecclesiastical blessings and the sacramentals in general.

Catholic priests are the only ministers of the Sacrament of Penance and Anointing of the Sick. 

They are the ordinary ministers of Baptism and witnesses to Holy Matrimony.

Title & Style

During a formal introduction, a diocesan Priest should be introduced as “The Reverend Father (First and Last Name).” 

He should be directly addressed as “Father (First and/or Last Name)” or simply “Father” 

On paper, as “The Reverend Father (First Name and Last Name).” 

Protocol

You should stand when he enters a room (until he invites you to sit) and again when he leaves it.

Address a Vicar, Provincial, Canon, Dean, or Rector:

During a formal introduction, he should be introduced as “The Very Reverend Father/Vicar (First and Last Name).” 

He should be directly addressed as “Reverend (Last Name)” or “Father (Last Name)” 

On paper, as “The Very Reverend Father (Vicar/Provincial/Canon, etc.) (First Name and Last Name).” 

Protocol

As with a Priest, you should stand when he enters a room (until he invites you to sit) and again when he leaves it.

Coat of Arms 

The ordinary ecclesiastical hat of the simple priest is black, on either side a single tassel of the same colour. The motto and escutcheon are proper to the individual priest. 

Generally, priests do not use a coat of arms and only create one when they become a bishop. Personal coat of arms are usually only used by European priests from a noble family or one with a long tradition where the family crest is passed down through generations and required for use in the family tree, etc.    

Dress of Priests

Daily Dress

• Black wool cassock trimmed in black silk

• Black wool rabat, black stockings, and black shoes without buckles

• Black silk sash with fringes optional, if entitled

•     Black silk skullcap (lined in black) optional
•     Black plush hat (with black lining) and optionally cords and tassels of black silk or black wool biretta with black tuft (and black lining) or any suitable hat optional

If not in Cassock, the Priest will dress in clerical suit or shirt. There are no formal rules to this casual or ‘office wear’ when not in cassock for daily dress. 

Choir Dress

For choir ceremonies priests wear over this an unpleated surplice and use the biretta. On more solemn occasions, when Pian dress is worn by Prelates and Chaplains of His Holiness, priests may wear a black wool ferraiolone.

   

 

A Priest’s Remuneration

This depends on the type of priest, and his assignment. There are two types of priests: Religious Order Priests and Diocesan Priests. Religious order Priests are priests who are part of a religious order, such as the Jesuits. They take a vow of poverty and do not directly receive a salary. They receive a small monthly stipend perhaps of 100 dollars to take care of personal expenses. The institution they work for will pay out a salary for the work they perform, but that salary is paid to the community. 

Diocesan Priests are priests who are ordained for a particular Diocese. Another name for them is "Secular Priests" because unlike religious order Priests they live and work in the secular world among their people. They, unlike religious order priests who focus on one specific ministry such as teaching, or hospital work,  are involved in every kind of ministry. 

Diocesan Priests do not take a vow of poverty, though many people erroneously attribute such a vow to them. They receive a set salary just like everyone else for the work they do. Priests generally will also receive a professional allowance (books, subscriptions, retreats, and conferences), healthcare, insurance, a pension, and other allowances (depending on the diocese: a car to drive, travel allowances, paid holidays, etc.). Priests also have annual holidays and time-off and are sent by the bishop for further studies (fully funded) as appropriately deemed by the bishop.

The salary of a Diocesan Priest usually ranges from between $15,000 a year at the low end to $30,000 a year at the high end (in the US Church). The diocesan priest also receive stipends (for conducting retreats, bible courses, home blessings, weddings, funerals, etc,) and do not pay rent for housing. In the US, Priests pay taxes on their salary just like everyone else. Other countries may have tax-exempt income for religious vocations. 

The salary for the priest comes from the priest's assignment. If a priest is assigned to work for the Diocese in some capacity, the Diocese assumes the cost of the priest's salary. If a priest is assigned to a parish, the parish assumes the cost. If a priest is assigned to a school the school assumes the cost. If a priest is assigned to a parish and school, or pastors more than one parish, the salary is split between the assignments. Priests in general do not get paid extra for taking on extra assignments. Each diocese sets their own policy, and each diocese sets the salary of a priest. 

Canon Law obliges the Church to provide for the basic necessities of all priests (religious or secular) when both 'active' and in retirement. A priest who is not bound to community life may chose, at his own expense, to live at a higher standard (in his own apartment, home, or retirement community, etc). The only way that a priest may lose these benefits is to be dismissed from the clerical state (either voluntarily by leaving or perhaps involuntarily as a consequence of being removed). 

A priest cannot be ‘fired’  by the bishop, he can only be removed from his assignment. A priest can only be removed from the priesthood by the Pope upon the bishop’s recommendation.