My favorite priest is leaving my parish can I just switch parishes

  • Thread starter Thread starter SacredHeartBassist
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
In that case this parish was never technically “your” parish to begin with.
If you’re 5 minutes from the cathedral, that is most likely your canonical parish.
 
Last edited:
You can still go to your “favorite priest’s” Masses.
However, I think it’s dangerous to be following a “favorite priest” around. He could get a transfer to another state, or drop dead, or even quit the priesthood (several of the priests I liked growing up did just that).

Are you going to stop going to Mass then because he’s no longer available?
It might be better to open your heart and mind to what you can learn from a new priest, or just focus more on Jesus.
 
Last edited:
What’s the rationale behind it, if you don’t mind me asking?
Rationale behind what?
And what exactly makes one a member (is it the place where you were baptized or anything like that?).
Where you live. You are a member of the parish where you live. Parishes are territorial, with physical boundaries. Wherever you live, that is within a parish territory. That is the parish to which you belong.
 
The priest at my local parish left, and when he did, he told all the parishoners not to move for his sake. When he first arrived at that parish, families left to go follow the old priest, and it hurt him to see that.
 
Though in some places not every parish or diocesan official seems to know what the boundaries are…
A lot of dioceses definitely don’t make it easy. You have to really dig. Most people won’t.
 
Though in some places not every parish or diocesan official seems to know what the boundaries are…

A lot of dioceses definitely don’t make it easy. You have to really dig. Most people won’t.
I think they have to know where their parish boundaries are, how can they serve the people without that? Someone calls from a local hospital or mortuary, to get late rites done or a funeral scheduled, and its someone they don’t know- well, they need to know whose duty it is.
 
Canonically that doesn’t mean anything. You’re free to worship at other parishes (as you have done), but unless you live within the boundaries, the pastor is not your pastor.
 
I don’t know. Perhaps priests do know, but lay employees don’t always seem to know and laity certainly don’t. Some dioceses post maps, but many don’t.
In regards to emergency calls at hospitals, usually a given hospital is clearly assigned to either a dedicated chaplain or a nearby parish priest.
 
Similar situation in my parish: we’re welcoming a new pastor in September. I very much like the outgoing pastor and based on first-hand experience I have reservations about the one we’re getting. However…

Like others, I’m uncomfortable with the concept of having a “favorite” priest. In addition to the reasons already mentioned, following one priest around means only being exposed to his preaching style, his liturgical approach and his priorities in executing his mission. No matter how good a priest is in what he does, the faithful benefit from being led and cared for by a variety of priests because each priest brings his particular strengths (and, yes, weaknesses) to the table. What Fr. A does well may be not be as capably executed by Fr. E, but Fr. E may be better at something Fr. A has less of an affinity for. The faithful potentially realize a greater overall spiritual benefit by being guided by both priests rather than only one.

In my opinion, those who follow a single priest around are only cheating themselves. Now, I get that a heterodox priest isn’t a good thing, but unless the incoming priest is openly defying the Church and challenging its authority I’d give him a chance before going elsewhere.
 
If it makes you a better Catholic then it might be better for you to go to the parished that he moved to.
 
Last edited:
Thanks. I was going to write something like that, but you expressed it much better than I could.
 
Last edited:
You’re very kind. I think going through the same thing right now has given me perspective I might not otherwise have.
 
This is the way ours is. The old pastor of my church once said a large portion of our church had crossed parish boundaries. The AD of Atlanta has no rules about moving, I know that for a fact. When our old pastor retired many left, I stayed.
 
Last edited:
She wants to know the rationale behind changing priests every 6-7 years. I’d like to know, too, frankly. Not all parishes have this practice.

I always liked the idea of a priest sticking around. It helps build community to see the same priest who baptized your children oversee their future wedding.
 
She wants to know the rationale behind changing priests every 6-7 years
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

In the US, the conference of bishops established a complementary norm (as allowed by Canon 522). it states:

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.

Promulgated: September 24, 1984

http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-te...s/canon-522-stability-of-office-of-pastor.cfm
 
Not all dioceses make it clear on their website. Mine doesn’t. I emailed the office at the closest parish, provided my address, and asked if I fell within their boundaries.
 
Not all dioceses make it clear on their website.
Here in Pittsburgh, it was on the website, but they took it off. The diocese is being “reorganized”, so it would make sense to hold off now until the new lines and such are drawn up.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top