Priests and pastors

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Tommy999

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Background:
I am a non-Catholic Christian who listens to Catholic radio on a fairly regular basis. I do so to learn more about Catholicism and because I enjoy the different programs and benefit from them.

Observation:
I have heard different Catholics speak of talking to their “pastor” about this or that issue or spiritual matter. Although I realize that the term ‘pastor’ is not unique to any one Christian faith tradition, I always thought “pastor” was more of a Protestant term, whereas the term “priest” or “Father” was more common in Catholicism.

Question:
Is there a difference between the terms “Pastor” and "Priest’ in Catholicism or can they be used synonymously when describing your local parish priest? Is a pastor the lead priest of the parish or can the title of “Pastor” be given to any priest at the parish? Just curious. Thanks.
 
The pastor is the head priest/leader of a parish. Some parishes have multiple priests, but only one pastor.
All pastors are priests, but not all priests are pastors.
 
Red_James said:
The pastor is the head priest/leader of a parish. Some parishes have multiple priests, but only one pastor.
All pastors are priests, but not all priests are pastors.
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And, what is more, there are many priests who are not associated with a parish at all…let alone pastor them…whether we are teachers or university professors, military or hospital chaplains, chancery officials or monks in monasteries – or have any of a number of other sorts of assignments or ways of living the priesthood.
 
Red_James said:
All pastors are priests
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I don’t know.

There are religious communities which are placed in charge of parishes. Our own Brother J was a superior of a community in charge of the parish. Brother J is not a priest but was clearly the superior and the senior at the parish in terms of hierarchy. Is he the Pastor or is the term Pastor reserved for priest only?

I’m asking out of ignorance, not trying to challenge.

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
I don’t know.

There are religious communities which are placed in charge of parishes. Our own Brother J was a superior of a community in charge of the parish. Brother J is not a priest but was clearly the superior and the senior at the parish in terms of hierarchy. Is he the Pastor or is the term Pastor reserved for priest only?

I’m asking out of ignorance, not trying to challenge.

-Tim-
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With very rare exception, the determination of superiors is a matter internal to religious communities/institutes of consecrated life. The nomination of a pastor of a parish, on the other hand, always involves the bishop of the diocese to which the parish belongs. It is the bishop’s decision when it concerns the secular clergy but is done in consultation with the appropriate official of the Order/Congregation/Institute when it concerns a Religious/Consecrated.

In any event, yes, a non-ordained religious can find himself the superior of the community that staffs a parish that has been entrusted to a religious order/congregation. He cannot, however, be the pastor of a parish, according to the norms of canon law. A deacon, for that matter, also cannot be the pastor of a parish. The pastor must be a priest or a bishop. The law itself grants the pastor rights and responsibilities which presuppose the sacerdotal character that derives from the sacrament of Holy Order.

In the case you describe, the superior has governance for matters internal to the house while the pastor of the parish has governance for matters that relate to the affairs of the parish and the parishioners.
 
There is the deep down spiritual meaning of pastors for carers for souls which includes parish clergy and bishops

In the UK the term for the chief (or only) clergyman of a parish is “parish priest”.

An assistant priest is appointed specifically to be part of a close knit team whereas a priest “in residence” while he will help out that is not his main function e.g he is between mission work. A priest “in residence” may be from a religious order that doesn’t have a place for him at one of its houses or there may be strong reasons why he is in a particular locality.

I knew of resting missionaries that were customarily posted in a parish I knew. The public would insist on calling them the “curate” and they got unfairly burdened.

Sometimes a retired bishop will become parish priest somewhere besides helping out part-time at the diocese. He’ll probably still be called “Bishop” personally.

I think Americans like the word “pastor” for PP because that’s what other churches’ main ministers are often called.
 
Don_Ruggero said:
With very rare exception, the determination of superiors is a matter internal to religious communities/institutes of consecrated life. The nomination of a pastor of a parish, on the other hand, always involves the bishop of the diocese to which the parish belongs. It is the bishop’s decision when it concerns the secular clergy but is done in consultation with the appropriate official of the Order/Congregation/Institute when it concerns a Religious/Consecrated.

In any event, yes, a non-ordained religious can find himself the superior of the community that staffs a parish that has been entrusted to a religious order/congregation. He cannot, however, be the pastor of a parish, according to the norms of canon law. A deacon, for that matter, also cannot be the pastor of a parish. The pastor must be a priest or a bishop. The law itself grants the pastor rights and responsibilities which presuppose the sacerdotal character that derives from the sacrament of Holy Order.

In the case you describe, the superior has governance for matters internal to the house while the pastor of the parish has governance for matters that relate to the affairs of the parish and the parishioners.
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Father - I believe it is also possible for a deacon, non-ordained religious or even lay person to be appointed administrator of a parish? In such case the individual would exercise certain governance over a parish without being a priest, but would definitely not be the pastor.
 
twf said:
Father - I believe it is also possible for a deacon, non-ordained religious or even lay person to be appointed administrator of a parish? In such case the individual would exercise certain governance over a parish without being a priest, but would definitely not be the pastor.
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In our own diocese we had a Sister of Mercy named administrator of our parish while we were between Pastors. A deacon was named administrator of an isolated parish until he was ordained and became its pastor.
 
twf said:
Father - I believe it is also possible for a deacon, non-ordained religious or even lay person to be appointed administrator of a parish? In such case the individual would exercise certain governance over a parish without being a priest, but would definitely not be the pastor.
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Yes, I am actually very familiar with the provision.

Given my experiences with the provision for those who are not bishops or priests, I would personally choose the words “administrative oversight” of the parish as opposed to “governance.” It is also circumscribed by the particular norms of the bishop, which vary from diocese to diocese.
 
Thanks to all for the helpful replies. especially Father Don Ruggero. You answered my question and some I hadn’t even thought of yet. 🙂

One follow-up, if I may.

I also recently heard on EWTN radio where a Catholic lady (Teresa Tomeo) referred to talking to her “spiritual director” about a spiritual issue involving her family.

Who is the ‘spiritual director’ and is what is his role? Is that another name for any parish priest who hears confessions or is it another name for the pastor, or can it also refer to any Catholic religious person who offers spiritual guidance to parishioners?

I appreciate your help and patience as I learn these terms.
 
A spiritual director is a person that you meet with regularly to assist you in your journey towards holiness.

The Spiritual Director gets to know you, and can recommend paths to develop a deeper relationship with God.

For a lay person, like Ms Tomeao, the Spiritual Director can be another qualified layperson, religious, deacon or priest

For those in Holy Orders, or seeking Holy Orders, the Spiritual Director must be a priest.

I was in the Diaconate program, and had a Monsignor as my Spiritual Director ( he still is). We met every other week, he recommended several Catholic authors as reading, recommended certain retreats, and gave me ‘assignments’ of Scripture readings to reflect on.

We don’t meet as often now, but still about once every few months.
 
Tommy999 said:
Thanks to all for the helpful replies. especially Father Don Ruggero. You answered my question and some I hadn’t even thought of yet. 🙂

One follow-up, if I may.

I also recently heard on EWTN radio where a Catholic lady (Teresa Tomeo) referred to talking to her “spiritual director” about a spiritual issue involving her family.

Who is the ‘spiritual director’ and is what is his role? Is that another name for any parish priest who hears confessions or is it another name for the pastor, or can it also refer to any Catholic religious person who offers spiritual guidance to parishioners?

I appreciate your help and patience as I learn these terms.
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Priests or well trained lay persons who help people with their spiritual growth and discernment.
Here’s an interesting site.
johnpaul2center.org/Lay-Formation/Spiritual-Direction.htm
 
Thanks, Brendan and Clare.

I just read the link you supplied, Clare. Very helpful. The closest term to describe what I understand a spiritual director to be is a spiritual mentor who helps provide personalized spiritual care and guidance to the parishioner to help them mature in the faith and help them through spiritual struggles.

It is spiritual in nature and not psychotherapy or anything like that.

I will assume that not everyone has a spiritual director because either they don’t want one or they may not be able to afford the fee that is customary with these visits, although I will assume that provisions are made for those who strongly desire to have a spiritual director who may have difficulty paying for it.
 
Tommy999 said:
It is spiritual in nature and not psychotherapy or anything like that.

I will assume that not everyone has a spiritual director because either they don’t want one or they may not be able to afford the fee that is customary with these visits, although I will assume that provisions are made for those who strongly desire to have a spiritual director who may have difficulty paying for it.
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I would venture to say that the average person in the pew has never heard of a spiritual director. I’m 62, been in church all my life, and first heard the term about 15 years ago.
 
Phemie said:
I would venture to say that the average person in the pew has never heard of a spiritual director. I’m 62, been in church all my life, and first heard the term about 15 years ago.
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In that case, I’m glad I asked the question about the term so that both of us could benefit from the explanation, Phemie.
 
Brendan said:
For those in Holy Orders, or seeking Holy Orders, the Spiritual Director must be a priest.
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I do not think that this is “universally” true.
I know many priests who have SD who are deacons or professed religious.

I think that for someone discerning the priesthood, a priest could be a better fit, And for permanent deacons, I would say another permanent deacon would be a better fit.

However, I would guess it is ultimately up to the Ordinary of the diocese.
 
Tommy999 said:
In that case, I’m glad I asked the question about the term so that both of us could benefit from the explanation, Phemie.
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I became aware of spiritual directors when I met one, a former religious sister, and she explained what she did.
 
Tommy999 said:
Thanks, Brendan and Clare.

I just read the link you supplied, Clare. Very helpful. The closest term to describe what I understand a spiritual director to be is a spiritual mentor who helps provide personalized spiritual care and guidance to the parishioner to help them mature in the faith and help them through spiritual struggles.

It is spiritual in nature and not psychotherapy or anything like that.

I will assume that not everyone has a spiritual director because either they don’t want one or they may not be able to afford the fee that is customary with these visits, although I will assume that provisions are made for those who strongly desire to have a spiritual director who may have difficulty paying for it.
Click to expand...
May don’t ask for a stipend, and others only accept what the person feels they can give.
But many charge nothing.
 
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