Powers/Privileges of a Pastor

[InThePew]

Unfortunately, he wasn’t there very long when the bishop realized that it wasn’t a great fit and reassigned him. When this priest had come to our diocese I don’t think he expected to be assigned to an indigenous parish in remote northern Canada.

Sadly I get the feeling that some appointments committees and bishops don’t always tend to think beyond the immediate need (as in how can we fill this gap?) when assigning priests to parishes. That said, some priests don’t always tend to speak up when an unsuitable assignment is proposed.

 

[Gorgias]

Sadly I get the feeling that some appointments committees and bishops don’t always tend to think beyond the immediate need (as in how can we fill this gap?) when assigning priests to parishes.

To be fair, though, they’ve never had to. When there were always more priests than parishes, it was just a matter of “how do we fill this hole?”. These days, though? Different context, and requires a different approach.

That said, some priests don’t always tend to speak up when an unsuitable assignment is proposed.

Ahh… the whole “obedience” thing…

 

[jvickers]

So an administrator would also have the power to dispense the faithful from their Sunday obligation and possible fasting obligations when good cause exists? I have heard pastors can do that as well though I have never actually known one to have done so.

Our Pastor gave special dispensation to my wife regarding the fasting obligation because she has a rare immune disorder and needs to make sure she eats well every day. She’s a vegetarian, so it’s difficult for her to give up any food. Her hematologist insists that she eat as much as she can as well.

 

[paperwight]

JS_Cortez:

So an administrator would also have the power to dispense the faithful from their Sunday obligation and possible fasting obligations when good cause exists? I have heard pastors can do that as well though I have never actually known one to have done so.

Our Pastor gave special dispensation to my wife regarding the fasting obligation because she has a rare immune disorder and needs to make sure she eats well every day. She’s a vegetarian, so it’s difficult for her to give up any food. Her hematologist insists that she eat as much as she can as well.

She wouldn’t have needed a special dispensation, surely, if she has these medical concerns?

 

[dochawk]

For the record, I’d never seen anyone handle a thurible with such dexterity. .

The eastern censer is used differently than the western thurible–there is a “jerking” back and forth, rather than the smoother western motion. I think this is also why more coals get thrown from the east, leaving altar servers an others scurrying to collect them! (once when I wasn’t serving, and none flew during one of the entrances, I snatched the censer from Father’s hands, scooped up the coal with it, and returned it with an apology. He also told me that he once landed one between the feet of an archbishop! )

Also, it is used several times during a byzantine liturgy (and a few more when we have an Akathist . . .)

 

[QuD]

Deacon may be assigned to assist a parish without a priest, but he can not be officially designated as a parochial administrator, as an administrator must be a priest (Can. 539 CIC).