Do Priests leave everything to the Church in their Wills?

[Sim0n]

Hi folks, I’m currently involved with a discussion on the priesthood and the assertion has been made that priests automatically bequeath everything to the Church upon their death—is this so? Or can they give members of their family what they wish, like the rest of us?

 

[TheLittleLady]

Secular priests may have a will and leave things to their favorite nephew, etc.

Religious priests must follow the rules of their order.

 

[Sim0n]

So the rules for your typical parish priest are …?

 

[TheLittleLady]

It depends if they are a secular or religious priest. If your parish is served by a Jesuit or a Dominican or a Franciscan, etc., they will have to follow the rules of their own order. If your parish is served by a secular priest, then they do not take any vow of poverty, they may own/invest/etc.

You could call the office of Clergy at the Diocese and ask them.

 

[1ke]

the assertion has been made that priests automatically bequeath everything to the Church upon their death—is this so?

No this is not so.

Diocesan priests can acquire property and possessions, investments, etc. They can bequeath that to whoever they want— family, friend, charity, the church, etc.

Order priests don’t have personal possessions or income, etc. so that’s a moot point.

Or can they give members of their family what they wish, like the rest of us?

Yes.

 

[Sim0n]

I’m just talking about your typical Diocesan Priest.

 

[1ke]

o the rules for your typical parish priest are

A parish/diocesan priest is a secular priest.

 

[Sim0n]

This is what I thought. Thank you.