Why do priest have a term?

[gambling88]

I wondered why do priest have to leave the parish they are at after a certain amount of years. I know that their terms can be extended but I mean in general why do they have to leave. I think I know the reason, I just want so more added to it.
Is it so that the priests do not become greater that the church and gain too much power and they think of it as their church?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I wondered why do priest have to leave the parish they are at after a certain amount of years. I know that their terms can be extended but I mean in general why do they have to leave. I think I know the reason, I just want so more added to it.
Is it so that the priests do not become greater that the church and gain too much power and they think of it as their church?

So that the parish does not become a “cult of personality” of the priest, which does happen even with a 6 year term.

 

[gambling88]

Do you know of anything in the bible or canon law that can be used to make reference of this. So that the priest knows that he is not bigger than the church, I am writing a proposal paper about getting some things done in the church and I want to let him know he isn’t the only one in the church.

 

[Joe_5859]

I wondered why do priest have to leave the parish they are at after a certain amount of years. I know that their terms can be extended but I mean in general why do they have to leave. I think I know the reason, I just want so more added to it.
Is it so that the priests do not become greater that the church and gain too much power and they think of it as their church?

As a friend of mine often quips:

If you’re a good priest, everyone should be able to experience you.
If you’re a bad priest, no one should have to endure you forever.
And if we move around everyone, you don’t have to know which one you are.

Seriously, though, it depends upon the diocese. Some dioceses have strict rules about terms (6 years for pastors and 3 years for associates with the possibility of being granted an extra term). But, believe it or not, some dioceses don’t have any such rules in place. I’ve known some priests who were at the same parish for 30+ years.

Having witnessed it both ways, I believe in the wisdom of moving priests around. When a priest is at the same place for so long, the parishioner’s Catholic identity can get tied to that one individual. That’s never a good thing.

 

[bilop]

So that the parish does not become a “cult of personality” of the priest, which does happen even with a 6 year term.

This is very true, and a good reason for terms, but is a fairly recent phenomena in the Church.

In the old days, once a priest made pastor, he often stayed in the same Church literally until he died. Priests retiring is also a relatively new innovation.

God Bless

 

[dachsiemom]

I really like the priests at my parish and unfortunately both will be moved next year when two parishes merge. The pastor has been at my parish for 5 years and the vicar 1-2 years. I can identify with some of the above posters as my parish had the same pastor for 20+ years and had its good and bad effects. One of the ethnic parishes nearby that recently closed had the same priest (in his 90s) for 40 years.