Average time a priest serves at a parish?

[SecretGarden]

Can someone please tell me what is the average amount of time, Catholic priests serve at a parish? I’m writing a paper and I forget the amount of time. I think it is generally a good decade if everything on both sides is happy. But I’m not sure. I am looking for averages.

Thanks SG

 

[Lormar]

In my diocese, it is six years. If we happen to have a newly ordained assistant priest, that priest only serves two before he is moved. But the pastor serves six.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I’m not sure there is a simple answer.

A newly ordained priest may serve only a year or two before moving elsewhere. A priest who is close to retirement may serve many years and retire to part-time ministry in the parish.

A pastor has actual term limits depending on the diocese. In the LA archdiocese he can serve a six-year term which may then be extended for a second six-year term.

Religious order priests serve at the discretion of their order. I know of one that has no limit for assistants but pastors are limited to a four-year term which can be renewed for two years and potential two more years but that’s it. In another order they serve three-year terms which can be renewed.

 

[Jeanne_S]

Our current Pastor has been at my parish for nine years with another three to go.Hevwill have served to six year terms.So,it must vary from diocese to diocese or as the particular need is presented.
OTHH,our parochial vicars are changed out almost yearly…Out pastor is developing a complex,thinking he is the reason

 

[pianistclare]

In our Archdiocese it’s around 7 years. Although some move on different schedules based on needing to be placed somewhere specific for a reason: for ex, a priest with a lot of business savvy might be moved to a place building a new Sanctuary. A pastor may die suddenly, and someone has to step up and offer to go somewhere new.
Around here, in the SE, it’s about 7 years. But there are always exceptions. The last Diocesan pastor was here 10 years.

 

[powerofk]

Right. It depends on the diocesan requirements. When I was in Michigan, diocesan priests assigned as pastors generally spent 6 years at a parish, with up to two three year extensions (which were usually granted). The parish I go to now in Albuquerque is run by the Norbertine order, and the priest serves at the discretion of the abbot (who is our immediate former pastor - he was elevated to abbot when the community was upgraded from a priory to an abbey).

 

[LisaA]

It’s supposed to be seven years but we had several parishes where the priests were there for as long as 18 years! Associate pastors came and went but the Pastor stayed.

Our new Archbishop seems to move priests around more quickly. I did notice a couple of them were moved after two years but in looking at the other posts, they were newly ordained priests and maybe just getting experience before being named Pastor at another parish.

I wish we could have kept our Founding Priest 18 years He stayed about 9 years the two extra because we were building a parish and eventually a building. He only had two Christmases and Easter Vigils in the new sanctuary though. We still miss him.

 

[27lw]

I have the impression in our diocese that it is 3, 6, or 12 years. I certainly know of exceptions, though. I don’t know if this is really a rule, or just something a little birdie told me.

 

[phil19034]

it totally differs from Diocese to diocese.

My Pastor has been the pastor for over 20 years (he is the longest reigning pastor in the archdiocese). Our assistant has been here for 4 or 5 years.

Other parishes change up more frequently.

Each diocese has different policies, exceptions, procedures, & requirements. In some diocese, if the pastor is doing a good job, he will continue to stay there unless there is a problem. In other dioceses, the bishop reassigns them regardless after a set period of time.

It is totally up to the Bishop and what he feels is best for his type of leadership and for his parishes.

 

[CyrilSebastian]

One of the priests who had been the pastor at the church here was pastor for eleven years.

 

[Sunbreak]

It varies by diocese. In my area, it’s 6 years but there are exceptions. There are a few parishes that are the “training” parishes where new priests usually get assigned and they are only there maybe 2 years. Then there are some parishes where the pastor has been there a long time - either because he is elderly or maybe he has a family commitment (like an elderly parent that he needs to tend to) in the parish.

 

[dixieagle]

In our southern archdiocese it seems to vary considerably. Our large parish has had the same pastor and associate pastor for more than 25 years. We have no idea why, as we’ve never heard of any priest who has been in a parish here for anywhere near as long.

 

[Pulvis]

All of the Parishes (7) in my area are served by Oratorian Fathers> they normally move every year, except for one Parish, the largest in the county, and the two Priests there do not rotate around.

 

[Thomas48]

I’m not sure if theirs actually an average time for this. I’ve seen some priests serve a parish for 15 years while others only 3 years at that same parish. I think sometimes favoritism is added into this, meaning if the parish community really likes the priest and a strong bond is formed the diocese is aware of this and the priest will stay longer. I’ve seen this scenario played out at numerous parishes.

 

[YADA]

In the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon [this has been the policy and I have not seen our new Archbishop change it - at least yet]

Pastors - Assignments are typically 6 years - one renewal of 6 years for a total of 12 years … if at the end of 12 years the priest is within 2 years of retirement age they can request to stay … which would be a maximum of 14 years …

Circumstances change and re-assignments have been made midway through an initial or second term due to retirements, a prolonged illness and death, poor fit even … life happens

Because of a shortage of priests - I know one parish - where the priest died, There was no other priest available - the Archbishop [then Levada] asked the Augustinians if they had someone available …They said “Yes” - that priest has been there ever since - about 25 years now … so there is some discretion afforded the Bishop but in my experience this is rare … its a small parish I fear will close or move to a lay pastoral administrator if that priest [now 75] retires … luckily he is willing to stay, the Augustinians have not recalled him, and the Bishop is willing - thankful to have him there

Associate Pastors - Assignments are 3 years - never renewed …

I know of a few re-assignments that have been made in less then three years due to retirements, a prolonged illness and death …

Again life [and death] happens … the best laid plans need adjusted to meet the needs of the diocese, the parishes, etc.

 

[Anne1964]

In our diocese, the pastor serves for 6 years with an option to extend another 6 years. Associate priests are moved frequently but the time can vary from 1-3 years. Occasionally a pastor is moved more often than 6 years if he has a particular skill that is needed in another parish. As with other dioceses there are exceptions to the rule. One parish has had the same pastor for 15 years.

 

[Chatter163]

As has been pointed out, there is no set rule, and situations vary widely by diocese. There is no canonical requirement as to length of service for pastors or assistants; that is completely up to the discretion of the bishop. Some bishops create policies (“particular law”) and adhere to them strictly, while others do not. Some bishops continue the policies set by their predecessors, while others do not. If there is an influential priests’ senate in the diocese, some bishops consult with them for (name removed by moderator)ut on such policies, while others do not. Pastors usually stay longer than assistants, obviously, but sometimes one sees long-term assistants, as well.

The pastor of my former parish in another diocese is still there–he is in his 33rd year as pastor there. A dozen years ago I attended a conference at a parish in yet another diocese, where the pastor–a monsignor and a protonotary apostolic–was in his 42nd year as pastor of that parish. That was unusually long, but occasionally it happens when the priest is of some renown. In my current diocese, the bishop does not have term limits, and leaves pastors where they are if they do not request a transfer and all is going well. Under such circumstances, he will offer transfers every few years, but not require them.

 

[malphono]

As has been pointed out, there is no set rule, and situations vary widely by diocese. There is no canonical requirement as to length of service for pastors or assistants; that is completely up to the discretion of the bishop. Some bishops create policies (“particular law”) and adhere to them strictly, while others do not. Some bishops continue the policies set by their predecessors, while others do not. If there is an influential priests’ senate in the diocese, some bishops consult with them for (name removed by moderator)ut on such policies, while others do not. Pastors usually stay longer than assistants, obviously, but sometimes one sees long-term assistants, as well.

The pastor of my former parish in another diocese is still there–he is in his 33rd year as pastor there. A dozen years ago I attended a conference at a parish in yet another diocese, where the pastor–a monsignor and a protonotary apostolic–was in his 42nd year as pastor of that parish. That was unusually long, but occasionally it happens when the priest is of some renown. In my current diocese, the bishop does not have term limits, and leaves pastors where they are if they do not request a transfer and all is going well. Under such circumstances, he will offer transfers every few years, but not require them.

This is true but I think it’s worthwhile to note two things: (1) CIC canon 522:

Can. 522 A pastor must possess stability and therefore is to be appointed for an indefinite period of time. The diocesan bishop can appoint him only for a specific period if the conference of bishops has permitted this by a decree.

(2) The USCCB

On November 14, 1983, the Latin Rite de iure members of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved complementary legislation for canon 522 of the Code of Canon Law for the Latin Rite dioceses of the United States.

Reviewed: The proposed action was reviewed by the Holy See (Congregation for Bishops) as noted in Prot. No. 1887/84/6, May 16, 1984.

Final Decree: Individual ordinaries may appoint pastors to a six year term of office. The possibility of renewing this term is left to the discretion of the diocesan bishop. The primary provision of canon 522 that pastors may be appointed for an indefinite period of time remains in force.