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These are priests who join a diocese or archdiocese. They have lifelong commitments to celibacy and obedience to their Bishop. Generally they minister within the geographic confines of their (arch)diocese. They have the primary responsibility of meeting the religious needs of the Catholics in their diocese. Generally, but not always, this means parish ministry. |
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These three vows are also called the evangelical counsels and describe a radical way to live out the Gospel. In each age, they can provide a strong witness to Gospel values in the face of competing or even contrary values in the prevailing culture. POVERTY - A religious chooses to share all in common rather than have personal ownership of material goods. In the face of a materialistic, consumer culture where one?s value is often determined by earning power or the acquisition of wealth, poverty testifies to our dependence upon God as the source of all gifts and our solidarity with one another, especially the poor. When so many are ignoring people who are on the fringes of society, religious with a vow of poverty can connect with the poor, work with them and speak about their needs and concerns. CHASTITY - A religious chooses a celibate way of loving rather than entering into a conjugal relationship. Sex is used in our society for so many purposes, including the selling of products and recreation, and the prevailing message is that one must be sexually active to be fully human ... even if that means promiscuity. Chastity reminds us of the deeper meaning of sexuality. A genuine witness of chastity expresses a unique way to love, a way to serve others, and invites others to consider that there is more to life that meets the eye, that our relationship with God is indeed primary. OBEDIENCE - A religious chooses obedience to indicate a preference for the common good over personal desire. The contemporary definition of freedom is to be able to do whatever one wants to do as long as it does not interfere with the rights of others - freedom from responsibility. Obedience demonstrates that the most perfect form of freedom is that which makes a commitment to another person, divine or human, or a cause. Obedience enables one to truly put his or her life at the service of the Church. |
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Religious priests take a vow of chastity and diocesan priests promise celibacy. |
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A religious order priest belongs to a religious community, such as the Franciscans, Claretians, Dominicans, etc., who strive to live out the charism of their founder and often have a particular type of ministry, e.g., education, health care. They usually live in community and they take the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Diocesan priests, also called secular priests, are ordained for a local church, a geographical area, and generally serve in parishes, although they also assist in schools, hospitals, prisons, etc., depending upon the local needs. Although they do not take the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, diocesan priests do promise: to lead a celibate life; to respect and obey their diocesan bishop; and to live a simple lifestyle. |
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No. We are a group of individuals and family members who decided it was time to shed some light on this dark corner of the church. |
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No. ChildrenOfPriests.org membership is comprised of people from many backgrounds... children, wives, family members, spouses, clergy members, lawyers, friends and persons with a general interest in the topic are all welcome in our community. Joining is easy... and FREE! Please share your experience, strength, and hope with others by posting your thoughts and stories here. Your messages are an inspiration to thousands of others with similar issues. |
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