Secular clergy

InChristianity,the termsecular clergyrefers todeaconsandpriestswho are notmonasticsor otherwise members ofreligious life.Secular priests(sometimes known asdiocesan priests) arepriestswho commit themselves to a certain geographical area and areordainedinto the service of the residents of adioceseor equivalent church administrative region. That includes serving the everyday needs of the people inparishes,but their activities are not limited to that of their parish.

Etymology and terminology

TheLatin wordsaeculumreferred to a period of time roughly equivalent to 100 years. It forms the basis of the word forcenturyinRomance languages(e.g.,Frenchsiècle,orItaliansecolo).Latin Christianityadopted the term inEcclesiastical Latinto refer to matters of an earthly and temporal, as opposed to aheavenlyand eternal, nature.In the 12th century, the term came to apply to priests obligated with parochial and ministerial duties rather than the "regular" duties of monastic clergy who were bound to the rule of areligious order,often called "religious clergy".

While the term "diocesan priest" is often used to describe secular priests, not all secular priests are diocesan. In the Latin Church, other territorial and non-territorial ecclesial jurisdictions such as thepersonal prelatureofOpus Dei,militaryandpersonal ordinariates,andapostolic vicariatesall include secular clergy.In theCatholic Church,Anglicanism,and other contexts, the term "secular priest" does not delineate between celibate and non-celibate priests.

Catholic Church

Latin Churchcanon lawmakes specific demands on clergy, whether regular or secular, quite apart from the obligations consequent to religious vows. Thus in the Latin Church, among other regulations, clerics other than permanent deacons "are obliged to observe perfect and perpetual continence for the sake of the kingdom of heaven and therefore are bound tocelibacy"and to carry out thecanonical hours,typically according to theLiturgy of the Hours,daily.They are forbidden to "assume public offices which entail a participation in the exercise of civil power."All clerics, once ordained, are forbidden from marrying or remarrying.

The teachings of the Catholic Church and some scholars hold that a tradition of clericalcontinenceexisted in early Christianity, whereby married men who became priests were expected to abstain from sexual relations with their wives.TheCouncil of Elvira,held beforeConstantinelegalized Christianity, made it an explicit law that bishops and other clergy should not have sexual relations with their wives. Despite consistently upholding the doctrine of clerical celibacy, over the following centuries the Church experienced many difficulties in enforcing it, particularly in rural areas of Europe. Finally, in the 12th century the Western Church declared thatHoly Orderswere not merely a prohibitive but adiriment canonical impedimentto marriage, making marriage by priests invalid and not merely forbidden.

The secular clergy, in which the hierarchy essentially resides, takes precedence over the regular clergy of equal rank. The episcopal office was the primary source of authority in the Church, and the secular clergy arose to assist the bishop. Only bishops can ordain Catholic clergy.

One root of the 1896Philippine Revolutionwas the agitation of native secular priests for parish assignments. Priests of powerful religious orders were given preferential treatment in these assignments and were usually Spaniards who trained in Europeanchapters.The agitation led to the execution of the "Gomburzafilibusteros",under charges of involvement in the 1872Cavite Mutiny.

St. Thomas Becketis apatron saintof secular clergy.St. John Vianneyis patron saint of parish priests.St. Stephenis patron saint of deacons.

Preparation

Preparation for Catholic priesthood generally requires eight years of study beyond high school, usually including a college degree followed by four or more years oftheologystudy at aseminary.

At the time of their ordination asdeacons(usually about a year before their ordination as priests) they promise respect andobedienceto thediocesan bishopand his successors. They also promise to live inchastity,and according to the status of clergy (which includes a comparatively simple life). Diocesan priests do make vows, and must remain celibate and adhere to Canon law, but they do not promisepoverty,so they may own their own property, such as cars, and handle their own financial affairs.

Liturgical responsibilities

In hisapostolic letterDies Domini,PopeJohn Paul IIwrote: "Among the many activities of a parish, none is as vital or as community-forming as the Sunday celebration of the Lord's Day and his Eucharist".

A diocesan priest spends much of his time preparing for and celebrating theSacraments(Eucharist,Reconciliation,Baptism,Marriage,Anointing of the Sick,Confirmation).In theDogmatic ConstitutionLumen gentium,theSecond Vatican Councilteaches that the priest actingin persona Christicelebrates the Sacrifice of the Mass and administers the Sacraments. "Christ is also present through preaching and the guidance of the faithful, tasks to which the priest is personally called."

There are many parishioners whom he visits, those who are ill, those who are dying, and those who are unable to travel outside their homes. Sometimes, he is directly involved in thecatecheticalwork of the parish and teaches catechism classes. He works with parish and finance councils that assist him in overseeing the welfare of the parish.Diocesan priests may serve in myriad different capacities, these services include, but are not limited to, campus ministry, teaching, and chaplain work for hospitals or prisons.

Eastern Orthodox Church

In theEastern Orthodox Church,the term "secular clergy" refers to married priests and deacons, as opposed tomonasticclergy (hieromonksandhierodeacons). The secular clergy are sometimes referred to as "white clergy", black being the customary colour worn by monks.

Traditionally,parishpriests are expected to be secular clergy rather than monastics, as the support of a wife is considered necessary for a priest living "in the world".

Since there are no orders like Catholic ones, all clergy in Eastern Orthodoxy, secular and monastic, are diocesan.

See also

• Catholic religious order
• List of Catholic religious institutes
• Religious institute (Catholic)
• Secular institute
• Vocational discernment in the Catholic Church
• Secularization movement in the Philippines

External links

• Pope Paul VI. "Sacerdotalis Caelibitatus", (The Celibacy of the Priest), 24 June 1967ArchivedMay 14, 2011, at theWayback Machine