What is the name of a priest

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Whose ordination only allows him to confect a few of the sacraments? I forget which ones they can’t do. All I remember about them is that poor grades in seminary or something similar is the reason some priests are ordained in this manner.
 
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I’ve never heard of such a thing. One is either a priest or not; there’s no partial priesthood for those that don’t make the cut in seminary.
 
Well, as they say, “I’ve learned something today; I can go home now.”
 
An important point here.

It’s not that the ordination is any different for a simple priest (sacerdos simplex). Instead, it’s his assignment by the bishop that differs. There is only one priestly ordination; and it’s the same for every priest.

A simple priest merely has not been granted certain faculties by the bishop. Usually, that means faculties to hear confessions and to preach; although in the 1983 code, all priests are granted the faculty to preach by the law itself (with some rare exceptions), so this has become a moot point.

It also means that the bishop will not appoint him to any administrative office, such as pastor.

If/when circumstances change, the bishop can still grant him faculties or appoint him to other offices—the status of “simplex” is not necessarily permanent.
 
I am thinking this is more of a pre-Vatican II practice? Is this done any more?
 
I have a question. My brother thought of becoming a priest, but is handicapped and only has full use of one arm. He was told he couldn’t become a priest because with use of only one arm he can’t give communion. A deacon suggested that he or someone else could help him hand out communion, but the idea was nixed. Is it a requirement for all priests to be able to hand out communion by himself, or could he fall under the simplex title for handing out communion?
 
According to this answer from EWTN, the practice of a simplex priest has been discontinued after Vatican II.
"Question from Mark on 1/27/2006:
What is a simplex priest? Why are they given limited faculties?

Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 1/27/2006:
Such an institution no longer exists within the canonical structures of the church. I am not even certain how widespread such practices ever were. Perhaps the history forum can give you more information.
http://www.ewtn.com/v/experts/showmessage.asp?number=459797&Pg=&Pgnu=&recnu=
 
MeInMississippi said:
I have a question. My brother thought of becoming a priest, but is handicapped and only has full use of one arm. He was told he couldn’t become a priest because with use of only one arm he can’t give communion. A deacon suggested that he or someone else could help him hand out communion, but the idea was nixed. Is it a requirement for all priests to be able to hand out communion by himself, or could he fall under the simplex title for handing out communion?
Click to expand...
Distributing Holy Communion is just one reason among many.

I don’t want to seem unsympathetic, but instead to answer the question directly. That should not have been the only answer he was given; so I hope that whoever broke that news to him did not just leave it at that.
 
Loud-living-dogma said:
According to this answer from EWTN, the practice of a simplex priest has been discontinued after Vatican II.
"Question from Mark on 1/27/2006:
What is a simplex priest? Why are they given limited faculties?

Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 1/27/2006:
Such an institution no longer exists within the canonical structures of the church. I am not even certain how widespread such practices ever were. Perhaps the history forum can give you more information.
http://www.ewtn.com/v/experts/showmessage.asp?number=459797&Pg=&Pgnu=&recnu=
Click to expand...
The actual canonical status of “sacerdos simplex” was eliminated in the 1983 Code.

However, the actual practice is still possible. It can still be done, even in the current Code.

I’ve heard the subject suggested a number of times quite seriously in discussions about the possibility of ordaining (perhaps) older deacons as priests who would have limited responsibilities, such as only providing Sunday Masses in the absence or shortage of full-time priests.
 
I don’t really know for sure if it was left at that. I guess that was perhaps the main reason. If he could fall under the classification of simplex though, I can’t imagine what else would be wrong with him becoming a priest unless handing out communion unaccompanied is a core requirement. Other than the problem with his arm, he is physically in good shape and adheres to pretty strict dietary and exercise guidelines. He has a degree in recreational therapy and a master’s in exercise physiology. With the shortage of priests, I would think they would welcome him.
 
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