Can a priest keep a nice car? A sports car?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TemplarKnight1
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A priest’s high end car is sometimes called the vocation car in some places
 
I guess different priests have different ideas about poverty etc.

One priest I know only rides a bike even though he can drive. Another, owns 2 cars, both newish and with private plates!
 
JuantheTuba said:
Let’s say Father is pastor of a parish in a low income neighborhood, he drives up a brand new sports car, his parishioners start talking and questioning him. If such a purchase were to cause his flock to be scandalized(a sin) and to gossip ( also a sin), then one would think it to be wise for the good Father to sell it, or at the least, store it for use at a more appropriate time.
Click to expand...
In my neighborhood I might find it gone when I get up in the morning, lol. :eek:
 
The priest at our former parish had a classic Corvette that he rebuilt bit by bit. Pretty much everyone in the parish was aware that this was his hobby. Occasionally he’d use some sort of car-related illustration in his homilies. (Note that the car still wasn’t running by the time we moved out of that parish – it needed a lot of work! lol)

I didn’t mind. He’s a good priest. We all need some sort of hobby, and working on a car was apparently his hobby.
 
CB_Catholic said:
I’m glad I am not a priest and subject to such close scrutiny all the time. I remember how a family member used to complain because someone told her the priests at the Church ate steak for dinner and we ordinary folk couldn’t afford that (despite the fact that she lived in a beautiful home and had two lovely cars, nice furnishings, etc.) I always wanted to say “Give me a break.”

Most of us probably could cut back a little on our consumerism, and how many of us wouldn’t like to have a few nicer things? I mean, really?
Click to expand...
Agree.

My priest has a Harley.
 
ajecphotos said:
I guess different priests have different ideas about poverty etc.
Click to expand...
And different priests are under different poverty obligations. As noted several times in this thread, diocesan/religious priests don’t make vows or promises of poverty. They don’t get paid a lot, but they have full autonomy over how they spend their money - whether it’s their modest salaries from their diocese or any family money they have inherited.
 
TemplarKnight1 said:
Can priests keep a nice car, granted that they can afford to pay and maintain it? Let’s say, especially it is their hobby? Or do they have to make a vow of poverty / moderation?

Would it be okay if a priest pulled up in a Porsche, M3 or Mustang convertible? (Hypothetically)
Click to expand...
You mean like this?
 
I don’t care what my priest drives.

But I’ve always wanted to see a cardinal driving around in a nice red Ferrari. 😃
 
ajecphotos said:
I guess different priests have different ideas about poverty etc.

One priest I know only rides a bike even though he can drive. Another, owns 2 cars, both newish and with private plates!
Click to expand...
I live in a rural parish with harsh winters, and the priest must cover several parishes. A bike wouldn’t work well. So he drives a Toyota Corolla that’s about 7 or 8 years old. Hardly an extravagant choice 😉

I think a priest is entitled to at least a safe and reliable car.
 
jenwha said:
I’m just picturing my parish priest zooming around in a red sports car with the top down and sunglasses on!!! With one eyebrow raised!!

:rotfl:
Click to expand...
Our priest has a really nice Scion, but he has a very good paying career prior.
 
How about a pick up truck? If I were a priest , that’s what I’d drive.
 
TimothyH said:
Not all religious take vows of poverty, only mendicants.

Benedictine monastics do not vow poverty. These vow stability, obedience and ongoing conversion, but not poverty. They own exactly what the abbot of the monastery tells them to own as part of their vow of obedience. They are typically co-owners of all the property of the entire monastery so they can’t really call themselves poor.

-Tim-
Click to expand...
Mendicants are not the only ones who vow poverty.

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate vow poverty. They own nothing. But even within that Congregation there are variations.

I have OMI friends who belong to different Provinces. Most of them turn over everything they earn to the Province and go to the bursar for funds as needed but one Province allows its members to have bank accounts and how much each member turns over of his income is pretty much left up to his conscience. In no case could any of them be considered ‘poor’. Personal poverty, sure. But they are well taken care of and they always know where their next meal is coming from.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top