WHAT IS THE DIOCESAN PRIESTHOOD?
I will give you Shepherds after my own Heart (Jer 3:15)
In theory, Diocesan priests are secular in contrast to Religious. However in practice, both groups live the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience and both groups participate in the common life of the presbyterium. The religious take the three vows, and the diocesan priests make public commitments to obedience and chastity during the ordination and they are to live these commitments. With regards to poverty, though the diocesan priesthood does not oblige this vow, nevertheless, they are strongly encouraged to live a simple life-style, to be faithful stewards of church wealth, and to use their personal material resources with great pastoral charity.
The diocesan priests live in the midst of the world, to sanctify it, though they are also out of the world by not being attached to it, and to witness to the Kingdom of God by not conforming to worldliness. When a religious group is not contemplative, they live also such a relation with the world.
Whether diocesan or religious, the identity and fundamental mission of all priests are the same. They differ mainly in the apostolic ministry which they undertake. Diocesan priests usually render pastoral care in parishes, but in case of necessity, religious priests may also be entrusted the care of parishes. In comparison, religious usually takes on specialized care of the migrants, the prisoners, the schools, the hospitals, the orphans, and the like, in responding to their charism and local needs. However, such distinction is not absolute and fixed.
A diocesan priest is incardinated to a diocesan bishop, and devotes his life to serve a community of Christian faithful established on a stable basis within a particular church, a portion of the people of God called a diocese. He lives as one among them, usually in a territorial section of the diocese, called a parish, to share with them their human conditions. He cherishes the community he belongs as a communion of love, and is its leader in cooperation with the bishop, who gives of himself freely and leads by humble service, for the realization of God’s kingdom.
The central role of the diocesan priests is therefore parish pastoral care. As a general rule, a parish is an embrace of the Christian faithful within a certain territorial. A parish priest renders pastoral care to the parishioners from cradle to grave, by administering of sacraments, leading in prayer and worship, giving faith and moral formation, and doing work of charity.
A young man who wishes to know the life and mission of a diocesan priest is encouraged to approach his parish priests or the seminary formators.
