New pastor

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Last week our parish got a new pastor. I was wondering how often does the bishop move priest around. Our old pastor went to a church about fifteen miles away. We have another priest in the parish. Do they ever promote a parochial vicar to a pastor of the same parish. Our new pastor was a pastor of another parish. Do the priest ask for a change or is it just the bishop that makes the decision. Thank you in advance for your answers.
 
this is the time of year when bishops make changes in priest assignments so yes it is the common thing. In most dioceses there is a rule or practice that a pastor serves one term, often 5 or 6 years in one parish and then is moved. It is also common for him to get an “automatic extension” of another term if he requests it and the needs of the diocese allow. However a priest could be moved sooner if the bishop feels his particular gifts are needed elsewhere. These decisions are made by the bishop, usually in consultation with the presbyteral council–an advisory board of priests–to best meet the needs of particular parishes and the entire diocese.

With regard to priests assigned to parishes or other roles not as pastors, again the decision tries to match the gifts of the priest to the needs of the assignment. And no it is not common for an assistant to be moved up to pastor of the same parish. A new priest generally serves a variety of assignments for several years before becoming a pastor, but with the priest shortage, many become pastors rather quickly.

and yes, a priest may ask for a certain assignment and the bishop would honor that if possible and if he deemed it wise. For instance our last pastor asked to be assigned to a poor parish with the most dire pastoral needs, and another has asked for a primarily Spanish-speaking parish to increase his language skills, and another was assigned closer to his ailing parents until they died.

In some dioceses the priests are moved around within their deanery or vicariate (smaller geographic area within the diocese) when possible, but may be moved outside or to the diocesan offices as well.

Catholics should learn not to get attached to the personalities of certain priests and embrace the theology of the priesthood, that every priest, no matter what his personality, background, quirks and foibles, is in the Person of Christ when carrying out his sacred duties.

In this diocese, past practice has been not to move a pastor who is in the middle of a capital campaign (raising money to build a new church) but it is not an iron clad rule.
 
In some cases Priests ( or Pastors as you put it) also can be moved to a parish as an administrator.This can be because the Bishop is not certain if this Priest might be suitable for a particular parish.An administrator can be shifted around without a time frame appointment.

Usually a list does around when a parish comes up for a vacancy,such as when an elderly priest retires or an existing priest would like a change for a bigger or small parish.The priests can get the details of the parish and then they can apply to the Bishop for it.Usually it is the Bishop who has the final say, thought most would consult with their advisers and even with the applicants themselves.

You might remember the story of St.John Mary Vianney.His “wonderful” priestly brothers took a signed petition around the traps of each parish in the diocese to get the Bishop to remove Vianney from his parish (JEALOUSY–a temptation of the clerical state).It so happened that the Saint was visiting a local parish at that time,this priest showed him the petition–he added his own signature to it!!!😃 When the Bishop read the petition and saw Vianneys’ name there as well he saw the irony of it all–so he sayed at Ars after all!!

Lord,sanctify your Priests and sacred ministers.
 
cpbast said:
Last week our parish got a new pastor. I was wondering how often does the bishop move priest around. Our old pastor went to a church about fifteen miles away. We have another priest in the parish. Do they ever promote a parochial vicar to a pastor of the same parish. Our new pastor was a pastor of another parish. Do the priest ask for a change or is it just the bishop that makes the decision. Thank you in advance for your answers.
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About parochial vicars?
My impression is that they are NOT assigned as pastors.
The job of parochial vicar in itself is quite demanding.
 
This is entirely the decision of the bishop. In both my current and former dioceses we have pastors who have been in place for many years, including thirty years in one case.
 
our new pastor was officially installed today, so there was a huge mass (first time i saw our parish church full) and the Archbishop was here to celebrate Mass and perform the Rite of installing a parish pastor
 
My parish is staffed by Jesuits and thusly is not a true Diocesan parish. The order’s Provencals decide when the priests are moved. Our current Pastor has been here five years and one of the Associate Pastors has been here seven. We have a retired priest in residence that has been here for about 20 years.
 
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