Edited by Fr Lawrence Ogundipe sdv
INTRODUCTION:
It is pertinent to say that this article is a reminder for parish priests and a guide for future parish priest, it is also educative for the lay faithful so to assist the parish priest in his duties.
Before we begin to examine the rights and obligations of the parish priest, it is important to note that the present understanding of the parish and the parish priest in the 1983 code of canon law was inspired by the teachings of the Vatican II Council, especially the conciliar documents on priestly ministry, namely, Christus Dominus and Presbyterorum Ordinis.
THE OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF THE PARISH PRIEST
The parish priest, as a member of Christ’s faithful, enjoys the general rights and obligations granted him by the law in can. 208 - 223. As a cleric, he equally enjoys the obligations and rights granted to all clerics in can.273 - 289. We shall concentrate here with only those obligations and rights granted him specifically as parish priest. It is important to point out that in the Church, rights are imbedded or collocated in the obligations.
1. The Ministry of the Word:
The first obligation of the parish priest is the ministry of the word of God (can. 528,§1). He has the obligation of ensuring that the word of God is proclaimed integrally to all in the parish. He must see to it that the faithful are instructed in the truths of faith, especially through homilies on Sundays and holy days of obligation, which may not be omitted without serious reasons. He must provide catechetical instruction to all the people committed to his care. He must ensure that children and adults are given special catechetical formation, and for this purpose, he is to utilize the resources of other priests, religious and laity (cann. 773, 776, 777). He must also strive with every effort to bring the gospel message to those in his parish who are not yet Christians and also those who are no more Christians (can.771). It is his duty to arrange for other forms of preaching, spiritual exercises or retreats in the parish (can. 770). Christus Dominus no.30 puts it succinctly this way: “In the exercise of their teaching office, it is the duty of pastors to preach God’s word to all Christian people, so that rooted in faith, hope, and charity they may grow in Christ, and that the Christian community may bear witness to that charity, which the Lord commanded. Pastors should bring the faithful to a full knowledge of the mystery of salvation through a catechetical instruction adapted to each one’s age. In imparting this instruction, they should seek not only the assistance of religious but also the cooperation of the laity”.
2. Liturgical celebrations:
The second basic responsibility of the parish priest is liturgical celebration. It is his duty to see that the liturgy in his parish is celebrated in accordance with the norms of the Church and that the laity participate in it actively, frequently and fruitfully (can. 528, §2). Since the Eucharist is the source and apex of all activities of the church, and the Eucharistic celebration the very heartbeat of the congregation of the faithful, the parish priest should make the Most Holy Eucharist “the center of the parish assembly of the faithful”. He should see to it that the faithful knowingly, devoutly, actively and frequently receive the Holy Eucharist and the sacrament of penance. He should also promote the spirit of prayer in the parish and the families of the parish.
3. Pastoral Care of Parishioners:
To be an effective pastor, the parish priest must know his flock. The parish priest, therefore, has the obligation to know his parishioners personally, visit their homes, share their concerns, anxieties and sorrows, especially at the time of death, comforting them. He should correct them prudently and patiently when they err. He has to assist the sick, especially those near death, solicitously comforting them with the sacraments and commending their souls to God. He has a special responsibility for the poor in his parish, the afflicted, the lonely, the immigrant, the exile and those with special problems. He has to assist the spouses and the parents in a special way to fulfill their proper duties and to grow in the Christian life within the family.
The parish priest has also the duty to recognize and support the proper role which the laity have in the mission of the Church, promoting their associations which have religious purposes. He has the obligation to cooperate with the Bishop and with the diocesan presbyterium, and to build up the parish community, by making them to realize that they are, at the same time, members both of the diocese and of the universal Church (can.529).
4. Functions specially entrusted to the Parish Priest:
In the 1917 code (can.462), certain functions were “reserved” to the parish priest. The new code refers to them as functions specially entrusted to the parish priest (can.530), which means that he has the major obligation or responsibility to ensure that they are fulfilled. They are as follows:
i Administration of baptism.
ii Administration of confirmation to the dying (can.883).
iii Administration of Viaticum, anointing of the sick and imparting apostolic blessing.
iv Assisting at marriage and imparting the nuptial blessing.
v Performing of funerals.
vi Blessing the baptismal font at paschal time, leading procession outside the church and giving solemn blessing outside the Church.
vii More solemn celebration of the Eucharist on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
5. The Obligation of Residence:
The parish priest has the obligation to reside in the parish house near the Church in order to be easily available to the faithful. He has the obligation not to be absent from his parish if his absence is likely to cause harm to the spiritual welfare of his parishioners (can.533, §1). He must inform the bishop whenever he is to be absent from the parish for more than one week (can.533, §2).
6. The Right to Annual leave:
The Parish priest has the right to an annual holidays of one month, continuous or interrupted, not counting the days of annual retreat (can. 533, §2).
7. The Obligation to Celebrate Missa pro populo:
The parish priest is obliged to apply mass for the faithful entrusted to his care on Sundays and holydays of obligation. This special obligation is attached to the office of the parish priest, and it is personal. If he is legitimately impeded from this celebration, he should have this obligation fulfilled on the same days through another priest, or he himself can fulfill it on other days (can.534).
8. Keeping Parish Registers, the Seal, Archives:
The Parish priest has the obligation of providing for and carefully maintaining parish registers, that is, of baptisms, marriages and of deaths (can.535, § 1). He should also have a special book for Mass offerings (can.958). In the baptism register, he should enter one’s confirmation and whatever affects the canonical status of one by reason of marriage, adoption, reception of sacred orders, perpetual religious profession and change of rite (can.535, §2).
He has the obligation to keep the parish seal and to ensure that all the official documents are sealed with it. He has the obligation to maintain an archive in which are to be kept the parish registers, the letters from the Bishop and other important documents (can. 535, §3&4).
9. Administering the parish property:
The parish priest acts in the name of the parish in all juridical transactions and so has the obligation to administer the property of the parish diligently in accordance with the law (can. 532; cann.1281-1288). He should be aware of what constitutes ordinary administration, of what constitutes extraordinary administration, and should observe those limits when contemplating the expenditure of monies or alienation of property (can.1281). Accountability to the faithful as indicated in can. 1287, § 2 is the responsibility of the parish priest in what pertains to him.
10. The right to dispense in certain Matters:
The parish priest has the right to dispense, in danger of death, when the local Ordinary cannot be approached, from all ecclesiastical impediments, except the impediment arising from the sacred order of priesthood (can. 1078).
He has the right to dispense from private vows, provided the dispensation does not injure the acquired rights of others (cf. can.1196, 1o). He has equally the right to dispense from the obligation of observing a holyday or day of penance, or commute the obligation into some other pious works, in individual cases, for a just cause and in accordance with the prescriptions of the diocesan Bishop (cf. can.1245).
11. The Obligation to make a Profession of Faith:
The parish priest has the obligation to make a profession of faith personally in the presence of the local ordinary or his delegate at the beginning of his term of office, in accordance with the formula approved by the Apostolic See (can.833, 6o).(cf. The Catholic Formulary, p.459).
CONCLUSION:
The Salvation of souls is the supreme law of the church. Hence the good of souls is and should be the ultimate criterion in structuring the parish and its ministry, in appointing, transferring and removing parish priests. The new code increased the discretionary power of the diocesan Bishop, which is evident in his freedom in appointing, removing or transferring parish priests. The Code also gave more responsibility to the parish priest. The parish priest should not see himself as a “Lord” and should relate well with his vicar for the good of the parish.
Rev. Fr. Titus Ik. Nnabugwu, LL.M, BL, JCD
INTRODUCTION:
It is pertinent to say that this article is a reminder for parish priests and a guide for future parish priest, it is also educative for the lay faithful so to assist the parish priest in his duties.
THE OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF THE PARISH PRIEST
The parish priest, as a member of Christ’s faithful, enjoys the general rights and obligations granted him by the law in can. 208 - 223. As a cleric, he equally enjoys the obligations and rights granted to all clerics in can.273 - 289. We shall concentrate here with only those obligations and rights granted him specifically as parish priest. It is important to point out that in the Church, rights are imbedded or collocated in the obligations.
1. The Ministry of the Word:
The first obligation of the parish priest is the ministry of the word of God (can. 528,§1). He has the obligation of ensuring that the word of God is proclaimed integrally to all in the parish. He must see to it that the faithful are instructed in the truths of faith, especially through homilies on Sundays and holy days of obligation, which may not be omitted without serious reasons. He must provide catechetical instruction to all the people committed to his care. He must ensure that children and adults are given special catechetical formation, and for this purpose, he is to utilize the resources of other priests, religious and laity (cann. 773, 776, 777). He must also strive with every effort to bring the gospel message to those in his parish who are not yet Christians and also those who are no more Christians (can.771). It is his duty to arrange for other forms of preaching, spiritual exercises or retreats in the parish (can. 770). Christus Dominus no.30 puts it succinctly this way: “In the exercise of their teaching office, it is the duty of pastors to preach God’s word to all Christian people, so that rooted in faith, hope, and charity they may grow in Christ, and that the Christian community may bear witness to that charity, which the Lord commanded. Pastors should bring the faithful to a full knowledge of the mystery of salvation through a catechetical instruction adapted to each one’s age. In imparting this instruction, they should seek not only the assistance of religious but also the cooperation of the laity”.
2. Liturgical celebrations:
The second basic responsibility of the parish priest is liturgical celebration. It is his duty to see that the liturgy in his parish is celebrated in accordance with the norms of the Church and that the laity participate in it actively, frequently and fruitfully (can. 528, §2). Since the Eucharist is the source and apex of all activities of the church, and the Eucharistic celebration the very heartbeat of the congregation of the faithful, the parish priest should make the Most Holy Eucharist “the center of the parish assembly of the faithful”. He should see to it that the faithful knowingly, devoutly, actively and frequently receive the Holy Eucharist and the sacrament of penance. He should also promote the spirit of prayer in the parish and the families of the parish.
3. Pastoral Care of Parishioners:
To be an effective pastor, the parish priest must know his flock. The parish priest, therefore, has the obligation to know his parishioners personally, visit their homes, share their concerns, anxieties and sorrows, especially at the time of death, comforting them. He should correct them prudently and patiently when they err. He has to assist the sick, especially those near death, solicitously comforting them with the sacraments and commending their souls to God. He has a special responsibility for the poor in his parish, the afflicted, the lonely, the immigrant, the exile and those with special problems. He has to assist the spouses and the parents in a special way to fulfill their proper duties and to grow in the Christian life within the family.
The parish priest has also the duty to recognize and support the proper role which the laity have in the mission of the Church, promoting their associations which have religious purposes. He has the obligation to cooperate with the Bishop and with the diocesan presbyterium, and to build up the parish community, by making them to realize that they are, at the same time, members both of the diocese and of the universal Church (can.529).
4. Functions specially entrusted to the Parish Priest:
In the 1917 code (can.462), certain functions were “reserved” to the parish priest. The new code refers to them as functions specially entrusted to the parish priest (can.530), which means that he has the major obligation or responsibility to ensure that they are fulfilled. They are as follows:
i Administration of baptism.
ii Administration of confirmation to the dying (can.883).
iii Administration of Viaticum, anointing of the sick and imparting apostolic blessing.
iv Assisting at marriage and imparting the nuptial blessing.
v Performing of funerals.
vi Blessing the baptismal font at paschal time, leading procession outside the church and giving solemn blessing outside the Church.
vii More solemn celebration of the Eucharist on Sundays and holy days of obligation.
5. The Obligation of Residence:
The parish priest has the obligation to reside in the parish house near the Church in order to be easily available to the faithful. He has the obligation not to be absent from his parish if his absence is likely to cause harm to the spiritual welfare of his parishioners (can.533, §1). He must inform the bishop whenever he is to be absent from the parish for more than one week (can.533, §2).
6. The Right to Annual leave:
The Parish priest has the right to an annual holidays of one month, continuous or interrupted, not counting the days of annual retreat (can. 533, §2).
7. The Obligation to Celebrate Missa pro populo:
The parish priest is obliged to apply mass for the faithful entrusted to his care on Sundays and holydays of obligation. This special obligation is attached to the office of the parish priest, and it is personal. If he is legitimately impeded from this celebration, he should have this obligation fulfilled on the same days through another priest, or he himself can fulfill it on other days (can.534).
8. Keeping Parish Registers, the Seal, Archives:
The Parish priest has the obligation of providing for and carefully maintaining parish registers, that is, of baptisms, marriages and of deaths (can.535, § 1). He should also have a special book for Mass offerings (can.958). In the baptism register, he should enter one’s confirmation and whatever affects the canonical status of one by reason of marriage, adoption, reception of sacred orders, perpetual religious profession and change of rite (can.535, §2).
He has the obligation to keep the parish seal and to ensure that all the official documents are sealed with it. He has the obligation to maintain an archive in which are to be kept the parish registers, the letters from the Bishop and other important documents (can. 535, §3&4).
9. Administering the parish property:
The parish priest acts in the name of the parish in all juridical transactions and so has the obligation to administer the property of the parish diligently in accordance with the law (can. 532; cann.1281-1288). He should be aware of what constitutes ordinary administration, of what constitutes extraordinary administration, and should observe those limits when contemplating the expenditure of monies or alienation of property (can.1281). Accountability to the faithful as indicated in can. 1287, § 2 is the responsibility of the parish priest in what pertains to him.
10. The right to dispense in certain Matters:
The parish priest has the right to dispense, in danger of death, when the local Ordinary cannot be approached, from all ecclesiastical impediments, except the impediment arising from the sacred order of priesthood (can. 1078).
He has the right to dispense from private vows, provided the dispensation does not injure the acquired rights of others (cf. can.1196, 1o). He has equally the right to dispense from the obligation of observing a holyday or day of penance, or commute the obligation into some other pious works, in individual cases, for a just cause and in accordance with the prescriptions of the diocesan Bishop (cf. can.1245).
11. The Obligation to make a Profession of Faith:
The parish priest has the obligation to make a profession of faith personally in the presence of the local ordinary or his delegate at the beginning of his term of office, in accordance with the formula approved by the Apostolic See (can.833, 6o).(cf. The Catholic Formulary, p.459).
CONCLUSION:
The Salvation of souls is the supreme law of the church. Hence the good of souls is and should be the ultimate criterion in structuring the parish and its ministry, in appointing, transferring and removing parish priests. The new code increased the discretionary power of the diocesan Bishop, which is evident in his freedom in appointing, removing or transferring parish priests. The Code also gave more responsibility to the parish priest. The parish priest should not see himself as a “Lord” and should relate well with his vicar for the good of the parish.
Rev. Fr. Titus Ik. Nnabugwu, LL.M, BL, JCD
Thanks for the education Padre
ReplyDeleteGreat one Fr. Clear and understandable. Thank you.
ReplyDelete