Why are faithful priests transferred every 1 to 4 years?

[Valletta]

I’m not sure how it works in Catholicism but it seems to be pretty hush hush even under normal circumstances. That’s my impression anyway.

I would have no idea except at least a couple of times the priests at churches I attended explained their situation. One priest mentioned that the bishop or archbishop said they needed him and he pretty much felt obligated to go. An older priest nearing retirement mentioned a position as pastor opened up and he was offered the job, he had previously headed a large seminary and had not planned to become a pastor but was given the option and decided to take it.

 

[Michie]

I would have no idea except at least a couple of times the priests at churches I attended explained their situation. One priest mentioned that the bishop or archbishop said they needed him and he pretty much felt obligated to go. An older priest nearing retirement mentioned a position as pastor opened up and he was offered the job, he had previously headed a large seminary and had not planned to become a pastor but was given the option and decided to take it.

The only time I heard a light explanation was when the priest has sick family members that needed his support so he was being transferred closer to family.

 

[Michie]

I was told it was to avoid a cult of personality. Obviously we kind of flock to great priests, but this also creates a predicament that the protestants deal with. If the life of the parish hinges too much on the priest then maybe it's focus is on the wrong thing, instead of the sacraments like it should be.

I've also heard that the term is six years, at least it was in my old diocese. Some say it's a minimum and others a maximum. I've also been told that if a priest remains at a parish after a certain number of a years then he gains the ability to decline a Bishops' transfer request or orders. I don't know if this is true, but my fiancee's old priest on Long Island has been at that parish for a very very long time.



I know my parish back home has been through three pastors in the past 4-5 years, to say nothing of how many parochial vicars have passed through. It's probably because the priest shortage is so dire in that diocese, Bishop Soto is probably desperate to cover as many parishes as possible.

Great post Fenwick. I’m glad I opened this thread. I have always wondered about it but kind of let it slide. I have asked questions amongst laity but that’s a virtual grab bag.

 

[Martinius]

In reading the other posts, a few additional thoughts occurred. My prior diocese had a Vicar for Clergy. Other dioceses have similar positions and offices for handling clergy personnel matters. Although the bishop is the boss, he relies on others to assist and advise.

Some priests ARE considered trouble shooters, and will be sent to a floundering parish to "right the ship". All the priests know which parishes are on the "A" list and which are further down in terms of desirability. Most priests, of course, will want to be assigned to an "A" list parish. I have known of older priests who were sent from large, very active parishes to quieter rural parishes as their abilities declined.

There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes when it comes to clergy assignments.

 

[Michie]

In reading the other posts, a few additional thoughts occurred. My prior diocese had a Vicar for Clergy. Other dioceses have similar positions and offices for handling clergy personnel matters. Although the bishop is the boss, he relies on others to assist and advise.

Some priests ARE considered trouble shooters, and will be sent to a floundering parish to "right the ship". All the priests know which parishes are on the "A" list and which are further down in terms of desirability. Most priests, of course, will want to be assigned to an "A" list parish. I have known of older priests who were sent from large, very active parishes to quieter rural parishes as their abilities declined.

There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes when it comes to clergy assignments.

Good post. I had not thought of that.

 

[zippy2006]

I was told it was to avoid a cult of personality. Obviously we kind of flock to great priests, but this also creates a predicament that the protestants deal with. If the life of the parish hinges too much on the priest then maybe it's focus is on the wrong thing, instead of the sacraments like it should be.

This is a common claim, but I don't know if it holds water. The introduction of term limits didn't have the effect of highlighting the sacramental observance. That might have happened in the pre-Vatican II world, when all parishes and liturgies were more or less the same, but in our world it tends to mean that 1) The laity run the parish rather than the priest, who is just a temporary visitor or guest, and/or 2) A regime change occurs every 6-12 years when the parish culture that one priest created is undone by the next.

I've also heard that the term is six years, at least it was in my old diocese. Some say it's a minimum and others a maximum.

A pastor has certain rights which allow him to fulfill his term, and these can only be abrogated in special circumstances. Of course, if he wishes he can willingly give them up and ask to be removed from the parish.

I've also been told that if a priest remains at a parish after a certain number of a years then he gains the ability to decline a Bishops' transfer request or orders. I don't know if this is true, but my fiancee's old priest on Long Island has been at that parish for a very very long time.

That is a grandfather clause that applies to pastors who were installed before term limits were introduced, but nowadays there are very few pastors who fall under that clause.

I know my parish back home has been through three pastors in the past 4-5 years, to say nothing of how many parochial vicars have passed through. It's probably because the priest shortage is so dire in that diocese, Bishop Soto is probably desperate to cover as many parishes as possible.

The bottom line for all of the related issues in this thread is that bishops need to buck up and start closing parishes. The damage taking place because bishops do not have the fortitude to close parishes is immense, and grows by the day. Currently it is the young priests who end up taking the brunt of the damage, and this does not bode well for our future.

 

[Lost4words]

Pipe down ya mutt! ROFL

RrrrrrrrrrrWoof!