How long does a priest tend to stay at one church?

[Tommy999]

…Oh, and we were told that is it considered bad form to try to tell the Bishop what you’re looking for. It’s his decision, and if you “ask” for someone, you’ll probably be assured NOT to get them. Plus, by the time the parishioners find out about the transfer, it’s all wrapped up and decided. The new guy has long been informed, but told to keep quiet, and your priest is already learning about his new place from his brother priests and packing.

Observation:
I think this is one of the biggest differences between how the Catholic Church selects a new priest and how many protestant churches select a new pastor. Most protestant churches form a “selection committee” or a similar group made up of deacons and lay leaders whose purpose is to advertise the pastoral opening within the denomination and presumably select the best candidate for their particular church. For example, they will describe their church and the type of pastor they are seeking. They then assess all candiates who apply and narrow down the list until they make their final choice. Before they do, they may visit the churches of a few finalists and interview them and others around them. Perhaps they will bring in a finalist or two to their church to preach in front of the congregation to gauge reaction before making the final decison. Of course, praying for unity within the selection committee and seeking the Lord’s guidance is key to the whole process.

In my opinion, the Catholic way reminds me of those countries that have arranged marriages. The advantage of the Catholic approach to me is that the bishop is presumably more objective and can give the parish the person they need, rather than who they want. The downside is that if he is not really in tune with that parish or misreads their needs, he could send them a person who doesn’t fit in well or someone who doesn’t work out.

The predominant protestant way (to me) reminds me of those couples who “marry for love”. It works out well if the search committee is objective and mature and does their homework and truly selects a pastor who is in their best interest. However, if they choose someone who they like who basically will just tell them what they want to hear and does not challenge them to be better Christians, they will be worse off like a man or woman who just marries for looks. Just my two cents.

Thanks again everyone for the great replies. I am learning a lot about Catholicism and how the Catholic Church operates. Now I just need to experience it one of these days for myself by attending a Mass.

 

[jmcrae]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like a 3, 5, or 6 year term is common at most Catholic churches with a few exceptions where it can be extended for awhile. Do you happen to know if an official reason is given for how that length of term was chosen (possibly to bring in fresh faces, to make sure everyone focuses on God and not a person, and/or to possibly prevent a cult of personality from developing) or is it just customary? I was also curious if it has been that way for a long time or is just a recent development. Thanks again.

One priest told me that he likes to move every few years or so because he only has five or six years worth of what to say, and he doesn’t like to repeat himself in front of the same people.

Some priests have “groupies” who follow them around from parish to parish, but most people stick to their home parish, and unless there is something seriously the matter with the new priest, they adjust quickly enough to the change.

The frequency of change is up to the Bishop. Our former Bishop liked to keep the priests hopping, and moved them around every three years or so. Our current Bishop only moves priests around if there is a good reason. For example, the former priest at the parish where I work took a leave of absence, so we got a new priest, and then someone had to be moved into his original spot, causing a couple of other moves to happen as well. At my home parish, we’ve had the same Pastor for 12 years; we do change associate pastors rather frequently - most of them get promoted to their own parishes after working with our Pastor for a couple of years.

 

[pianistclare]

Observation:
I think this is one of the biggest differences between how the Catholic Church selects a new priest and how many protestant churches select a new pastor. Most protestant churches form a “selection committee” or a similar group made up of deacons and lay leaders whose purpose is to advertise the pastoral opening within the denomination and presumably select the best candidate for their particular church. For example, they will describe their church and the type of pastor they are looking for. They then assess all candiates who apply and narrow down the list until they make their final choice. Before they do, they may visit the churches of a few finalists and interview them and others around them. Perhaps they will bring in a finalist or two to their church to preach in front of the congregation to gauge reaction before making the final decison. Of course, praying for the Lor’s guidance is key to the whole process.

In my opinion, the Catholic way reminds me of those countries that have arranged marriages. The advantage of the Catholic approach to me is that the bishop is presumably more objective and can give the parish the person they need, rather than who they want. The downside is that if he is not really in tune with that parish or misreads their needs, he could send them a person who doesn’t fit in well or someone who doesn’t work out.

The predominant protestant way (to me) reemainds me of those couples who “marry for love”. It works out well if the search committee is objective and mature and does their homework and truly selects a pastor who is in their best interest. However, if they choose someone who they like who basically will just tell them what they want to hear and does not challenge them to be better Christians, they will be worse off like a man or woman who just marries for looks. Just my two cents.

Thanks again everyone for the great replies. I am learning a lot about Catholicism and how the Catholic Church operates. Now I just need to experience it one of these days for myself by attending a Mass.

I agree with you to a point…
But the Bishops don’t assign lightly. They are advised by those around them who know everyone, and they look at the strengths and talents when they assign. As we all know, sometimes a congregation would like to keep the status quo…and not grow in another necessary direction…or needs correction…or needs YOUTH, or the wisdom of an OLDER priest…again…a lot goes into the choices…and the bishop seeks to fulfill spiritual needs, not just personal preference. And the teachings of the Church are covered in Seminary. In those respects…they are all on the same page.
Peace on your journey friend!
God bless you.

 

[CatholicLife]

The pastor at my church has been with is for years but the associate priests get moved quite frequently. We are also lucky at my church to have two retired priests who are with us permently.

 

[JDee]

Our last pastor was with us for 12 years. We needed a community builder and he was amazing - a gentle and wise man. When he was reassigned my girls were very upset - he was the only priest they had known in our parish and he celebrated most of their Sacraments. We prayed we would be blessed with another good priest and were completely overwhelmed with joy when we were assigned 2. One is a new priest and is fabulous and the other, Fr Mike is beyond great. Both are so good with all ages, very supportive for adult study and fun to be with.
When our change happened, I found a great article to help my girls and the RCIA candidates adapt. Hope it helps.

pinoynewsmagazine.com/2011/06/a-priest%E2%80%99s-passage/

Remember that we are not able to choose what we want - we do not interview and hire, dismiss or fire when they do not conform to our theology. Catholic theology does not change with whim or fashion. A priest/bishop often find themselves having to hold a very difficult position going against popular opinion that will change in a few months, years, decades. The Church must be constant and faithful to the teachings of Christ.

It does not mean all priests are good! Some are poor homilists, some are not as warm and friendly etc… but a Catholic goes to Mass to celebrate the Eucharist, not the priest. I have been to Mass in Korean and had no clue what the homily was about, followed as best I could in the missal in English but knew it was the Body and Blood of Christ when the Chalice and Eucharist were consecrated and elevated.