My Vocation

[jealphak]

Hi. I have a question that has been bothering me for a while. I’ve been discerning the priesthood seriously for almost two years now (and have contemplated it for as long as I can remember). However, God has given me an incredible gift in my academics. I will likely graduate as #1 or 2 in my class, and feel very strongly drawn to medical resarch or treatment. Could I get a doctorate in medical/pharmaceutical research and work doing research at a university, while also being a diocesan priest? Can priests have other jobs like teaching in a university? Or could I be a chaplain in a hospital with a MD? I want to use all of my gifts to help people, and I feel God has given me two very special ones. Is there any way to integrate the two? Thanks

 

[Allen537]

Hi. I have a question that has been bothering me for a while. I’ve been discerning the priesthood seriously for almost two years now (and have contemplated it for as long as I can remember). However, God has given me an incredible gift in my academics. I will likely graduate as #1 or 2 in my class, and feel very strongly drawn to medical resarch or treatment. Could I get a doctorate in medical/pharmaceutical research and work doing research at a university, while also being a diocesan priest? Can priests have other jobs like teaching in a university? Or could I be a chaplain in a hospital with a MD? I want to use all of my gifts to help people, and I feel God has given me two very special ones. Is there any way to integrate the two? Thanks

As far as being a diocesan priest with that kind of job, it is possible, but you would need the blessing of your bishop. And with the current need for diocesan priests for parish work, I think you would be hard pressed to find a bishop willing to let one of his own out for that. But If you we able to help supply at a parish, then it would be a possibility.

As far as teaching/chaplaincy, those are certainly possibilities, but again, you would need to permission of your bishop.

I would think that for someone who wants to pursue these kinds of ministries, you should be looking more into Religious life. Typically, being a religious gives you greater opportunity to pursue such ministries, since provincials are not as hard pressed for parish priests like the diocesan bishop is.

Just a thought!

In Carmel,

Br. Allen

 

[Drilling4Truth]

As a Jesuit you would be more likely be allowed to pursue a professional career while being a priest or religious. As I understand it, the Society of Jesus has a number of medical doctors in their ranks.

 

[ack]

Your post reminded me of a conversation that I had with a priest about a similar topic. He said that the church desperately needs bioethicists who can make sense of all the thorny medical ethics issues affecting us today.

You would have the advantage of being trained in both medicine and theology/philosophy, a unique combination of skills which would serve you well if you decided to pursue this field.