Pastor

[Cagrl]

Hello All,
I was wondering what exactly is a pastor. I know other denominations have pastors instead of priests but what does it take to be a pastor and what is a pastor? Does the Catholic church have pastors or is that where the deacons come in? If so, why if we already have priests? Is a pastor higher on the rank than a priest or how does that work? Sorry I’m a little confused. Thanks in advance for your knowledge.

 

[Usagi]

“Pastor” literally means “shepherd,” and is the name used for the leader of a Christian congregation.

A Catholic priest who is assigned to lead a parish is the pastor of that parish. Other priests with different jobs would not be pastors.

Likewise, in Protestant circles, the word pastor is generally used for the leader of a congregation.

Usagi

 

[Will_B]

“Pastor” literally means “shepherd,” and is the name used for the leader of a Christian congregation.

A Catholic priest who is assigned to lead a parish is the pastor of that parish. Other priests with different jobs would not be pastors.

Likewise, in Protestant circles, the word pastor is generally used for the leader of a congregation.

Usagi

I like your answer… In addition >>> In most Protestant churches, the Pastor is ordained in that denomination…

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hello All,
I was wondering what exactly is a pastor. I know other denominations have pastors instead of priests but what does it take to be a pastor and what is a pastor? Does the Catholic church have pastors or is that where the deacons come in? If so, why if we already have priests? Is a pastor higher on the rank than a priest or how does that work? Sorry I’m a little confused. Thanks in advance for your knowledge.

This as well as many other specific titles have specific meaning in Canon Law. It is a specific office within the Church. A Pastor of a parish is higher office that a parish priest.

 

[Cagrl]

So then in the Catholic church when they refer to the ‘pastor’ are they not talking about a priest? So we do have pastors in the Catholic church then? Sorry I am just so confused and trying to get it straight. So am I right to say that the order is deacon, priest, pastor, monsignor, bishop cardinal and then pope? I am just confused on the order of how that goes. Or am I totally off here? Thanks in advance for the clarification.

 

[notsmart]

So then in the Catholic church when they refer to the ‘pastor’ are they not talking about a priest? So we do have pastors in the Catholic church then? Sorry I am just so confused and trying to get it straight. So am I right to say that the order is deacon, priest, pastor, monsignor, bishop cardinal and then pope? I am just confused on the order of how that goes. Or am I totally off here? Thanks in advance for the clarification.

1. Pastors in the Catholic Church are priests. They are simply in charge of that particular community. If there are other priests in that parish, they are subordinate to the pastor.

I dont know what you mean by “order”.

 

[MrS]

So then in the Catholic church when they refer to the ‘pastor’ are they not talking about a priest? So we do have pastors in the Catholic church then? Sorry I am just so confused and trying to get it straight. So am I right to say that the order is deacon, priest, pastor, monsignor, bishop cardinal and then pope? I am just confused on the order of how that goes. Or am I totally off here? Thanks in advance for the clarification.

nope
newadvent.org/cathen/12406a.htm
Think of the pastor as the in-charge priest in the parish
newadvent.org/cathen/11537b.htm
Think of any other priests assigned to the parish as priest, and in some cases as associate to the pastor

Think of the monsignor as a priest (who could also be the pastor) who has the title as recognition for some thing he has accomplished. newadvent.org/cathen/10510a.htm

A bishop newadvent.org/cathen/02581b.htm often is the head of the diocese (big diocese usually recognized by the bishop elvated to Cardinal newadvent.org/cathen/03333b.htm )

Detroit, a big diocese, has a Cardinal and auxilary bishops newadvent.org/cathen/02145b.htm . The assist the Cardinal and are assigned almost like the cabinet to the president. And some bishops, after retirement, become a pastor in a parish.

The Pope is a bishop… the bishop of Rome.

 

[JustaServant]

“Pastor” literally means “shepherd,” and is the name used for the leader of a Christian congregation.

A Catholic priest who is assigned to lead a parish is the pastor of that parish. Other priests with different jobs would not be pastors.

Likewise, in Protestant circles, the word pastor is generally used for the leader of a congregation.

Usagi

I used to prefer the term pastor over ‘Reverand’ or even worse…Preacher! Make sure you stand at least serveral yards away when that title is unleashed.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

So then in the Catholic church when they refer to the ‘pastor’ are they not talking about a priest? So we do have pastors in the Catholic church then? Sorry I am just so confused and trying to get it straight. So am I right to say that the order is deacon, priest, pastor, monsignor, bishop cardinal and then pope? I am just confused on the order of how that goes. Or am I totally off here? Thanks in advance for the clarification.

Yes, only a priest can be a Pastor in the Catholic Church. Same with Chaplin. Only a priest can be a Catholic Chaplin.

 

[Chaldean_Rite]

I think its inaccurate to say a Priest is the pastor of a parish. Since the Priest is an extension of the Bishops authority, its really the Bishop.

 

[JustaServant]

I think its inaccurate to say a Priest is the pastor of a parish. Since the Priest is an extension of the Bishops authority, its really the Bishop.

When I lector on Saturday nights its always “Our celebrant today is Father Steve our pastor.”

 

[Chaldean_Rite]

When I lector on Saturday nights its always “Our celebrant today is Father Steve our pastor.”

I don’t know if we are splitting hairs, but I doubt there is a right and wrong answer here. No, it just came to me, you’re wrong.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

1. Pastors in the Catholic Church are priests. They are simply in charge of that particular community. If there are other priests in that parish, they are subordinate to the pastor.

I dont know what you mean by “order”.

The Order is Deacon, Priest and Bishop.

The Titles are Deacon, Priest, Monsignor, Bishop, Arch-Bishop, Cardinal, Pope, etc.

The Offices are Associate Pastor, Pastor, Vicar, Chaplin, etc.

 

[Cagrl]

1. Pastors in the Catholic Church are priests. They are simply in charge of that particular community. If there are other priests in that parish, they are subordinate to the pastor.

I dont know what you mean by “order”.

higher office or rank…I guess is what I mean. I may be using the wrong term. Sorry.

 

[JustaServant]

I don’t know if we are splitting hairs, but I doubt there is a right and wrong answer here. No, it just came to me, you’re wrong.

 

[notsmart]

higher office or rank…I guess is what I mean. I may be using the wrong term. Sorry.

No problem, looks like Br. Rich SFO answered it.
Which makes me wonder- how do brothers fit in to this? And friars? (are there any friars?) and say, prelates of personal prelatures (the prelate of Opus Dei say?) Urg. I guess I am making this even more confusing, sorry!
Monastics ect. The head of the Jesuits for instance?

 

[Cagrl]

The Order is Deacon, Priest and Bishop.

The Titles are Deacon, Priest, Monsignor, Bishop, Arch-Bishop, Cardinal, Pope, etc.

The Offices are Associate Pastor, Pastor, Vicar, Chaplin, etc.

Okay. Sorry. I just read this. This helps clarify for me a little better. Thanks so much!

 

[Cagrl]

No problem, looks like Br. Rich SFO answered it.
Which makes me wonder- how do brothers fit in to this? And friars? (are there any friars?) and say, prelates of personal prelatures (the prelate of Opus Dei say?) Urg. I guess I am making this even more confusing, sorry!
Monastics ect. The head of the Jesuits for instance?

Good question!

There’s so much to learn.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

No problem, looks like Br. Rich SFO answered it.
Which makes me wonder- how do brothers fit in to this? And friars? (are there any friars?) and say, prelates of personal prelatures (the prelate of Opus Dei say?) Urg. I guess I am making this even more confusing, sorry!
Monastics ect. The head of the Jesuits for instance?

Brothers and Sisters, Nuns, don’t fit into this at all they are not Ordained.

Prelates, Abbots, are titles for Ordained priests or Bishops.

Friars, Monks can be Ordained, however some are not. But the terms are also just titles and do not reflect Order or rank.

 

[notsmart]

Brothers and Sisters, Nuns, don’t fit into this at all they are not Ordained.

Prelates, Abbots, are titles for Ordained priests or Bishops.

Friars, Monks can be Ordained, however some are not. But the terms are also just titles and do not reflect Order or rank.

Great to know!