moving priests around in the EO...

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

Is it done as in the Catholic church?
Usually in the west we're changing a priests parish every seventh year, is this the same in the east or is it a different practice?

 

[~Anastasia~]

From what I've gathered, it depends.

In Greek parishes, the practice is to move them around. I'm unhappy to know that as the years tick by and our priest, whom I greatly love, is becoming ever more valuable to the Bishop and given wider responsibilities. Our expectation is that we will lose him sooner or later. I hope it is not for some time yet. He's doing good things in our parish and we have need of him, but we also are not a very "important" parish in terms of being large, so others may be seen to need him more.

OTOH, I understand the Antiochians typically do not. We have an Antiochian parish nearby, and the priest there has affirmed that it is his intent, at least, to remain with that community through his life. They could move him, but I think it would be unexpected.

Others I don't know about.

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

From what I've gathered, it depends.

In Greek parishes, the practice is to move them around. I'm unhappy to know that as the years tick by and our priest, whom I greatly love, is becoming ever more valuable to the Bishop and given wider responsibilities. Our expectation is that we will lose him sooner or later. I hope it is not for some time yet. He's doing good things in our parish and we have need of him, but we also are not a very "important" parish in terms of being large, so others may be seen to need him more.

OTOH, I understand the Antiochians typically do not. We have an Antiochian parish nearby, and the priest there has affirmed that it is his intent, at least, to remain with that community through his life. They could move him, but I think it would be unexpected.

Others I don't know about.

We're losing a very very good priest in august which is what actualized the topic.

The one we had prior to our now leaving pastor was a handful I've heard so I understand why we're shuffling them around so that no ones stuck with a toolbag for a lifetime, but losing my spiritual father is very very sad.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Well, there may be a shortage of priests. And I'm not in a position to decide anything.

But I could wish priests could remain so the relationship was not disturbed. It took a couple of years really for me to build the degree of trust I have with Father as my Confessor, and I think for him to know me as well. It's sad to see that interrupted over and over and over.

Otoh, if a priest is so terrible no one wants to be "stuck" with him, ideally he could be improved? And if not, perhaps he was never meant to be a priest.

I've heard complaints about priests. But so far I've been blessed to know only good ones, even online knowing a very great many on FB.

WELL ... in complete honesty, there are one or two on FB I have my doubts about, but I'm really doubting that they are actually even priests. One does tend to rant about issues he seems to have with being recognized as one. People CAN pretend to be someone they are not, and I know who to keep an eye on. But overwhelmingly they are wonderful persons.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

My priest has been pastor of our parish since like 1987. The Serbs seem content with the "stay put" approach.

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

My priest has been pastor of our parish since like 1987. The Serbs seem content with the "stay put" approach.

As long as he's a keeper then it's a blessing

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

He is.

As long as he's a keeper then it's a blessing

 

[buzuxi02]

I dont think there is a rule to move them around after a few years. I attended a church where the priest was ordained in that church in 1960 and retired serving that same church about 50 years later. I know of another that has retired 2 years ago serving that parish since the early 80's (a large ethnic parish in Hicksville, Ny. In fact he still has his office and serves whenever need be. Funny is how he would say even during sermons that he built up a parish with lots of kids and babies (he never cared if the kids were running around as long as they were there) and would say when he retires he will be at the front row making sure the new priest doesn't screw it all up. He wasnt kidding!

 

[JackRT]

I grew up RC. My parish priest was Fr. W. and the parish was the cathedral. The archbishop's throne was right there and Fr. W. very obviously had his eye on it. Then out of the blue he was transferred to a tough coal mining town. We never really knew whether Fr. W. was to straighten out the town or if it was that the town was to straighten out Fr. W. Sometimes transfers are best for all sorts of reasons.

 

[ArmyMatt]

depends on the need of the bishop

 

[Mary of Bethany]

As far as I know, the OCA leave the priests where they are.

 

[Jack Isaacks]

Is it done as in the Catholic church?
Usually in the west we're changing a priests parish every seventh year, is this the same in the east or is it a different practice?

In Orthodoxy, the theory is that one is ordained for a particular parish (this includes the diaconate and minor orders as well), and the ordinand is expected to remain there until death or retirement.

Christ is risen!

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

In Orthodoxy, the theory is that one is ordained for a particular parish (this includes the diaconate and minor orders as well), and the ordinand is expected to remain there until death or retirement.

Christ is risen!

Thank you.

 

[Constantine the Sinner]

A priest is a representative of a particular bishop, and it is up to that bishop where he wants his priests, there is no policy governing how bishops must do things here.

 

[Constantine the Sinner]

We're losing a very very good priest in august which is what actualized the topic.

The one we had prior to our now leaving pastor was a handful I've heard so I understand why we're shuffling them around so that no ones stuck with a toolbag for a lifetime, but losing my spiritual father is very very sad.

If a priest is awful, his parishioners will probably complain until he's moved.