Can A Priest Remove Himself From Active Ministry?

[goldenchild17]

I know that a priest can be removed from public ministry by the proper authority, and that by virtue of the sacrament of ordination he is and always will be a priest, despite not being able to practice publicly. But can a priest choose to remove himself from public ministry and choose to not promote himself as an active public priest, despite no such action taken by his superior? thanks

[Brother Adam]

Yes, a priest can submit a letter of resignation to his superior or even be laicized. If it is a matter of simply having trouble in the particular place he is ministering he can work with his bishop who may move him to another parish or place. If he wants to leave priestly ministry altogether that can take place as well. In doing so he may be breaking vows of obedience. This does not mean he has to leave the Church or will not be a Catholic in good standing. I know a priest who left ministry on good terms for good reasons and after 20 years is waiting on orders from Pope Benedict to return him to active ministry as a priest. There is a procedure by which the Church will release a priest from his duties at the same seeking reconciliation if possible and prudent. Since cappie is our resident priest scholar I will let him give you more details.

[cappie]

Not too sure of the particular circumstances, but according to Canon Law regarding priests in ministry:

Can. 538 §1 A parish priest ceases to hold office by removal or transfer effected by the diocesan Bishop in accordance with the law;[b] by his personal resignation, for a just reason, which for validity requires that it be accepted by the diocesan Bishop; [/b]and by the lapse of time if, in accordance with the particular law mentioned in can. 522, he was appointed for a specified period of time.

§2 A parish priest who is a member of a religious institute or is incardinated in a society of apostolic life, is removed in accordance with can. 682 §2."The religious can be removed from the office at the discretion of the authority who made the appointment, with prior notice being given to the religious Superior; or by the religious Superior, with prior notice being given to the appointing authority. Neither requires the other's consent."

§3[b] A parish priest who has completed his seventy fifth year of age is requested to offer his resignation from office to the diocesan Bishop who, after considering all the circumstances of person and place, is to decide whether to accept or defer it.[/b] Having taken account of the norms laid down by the Episcopal Conference, the diocesan Bishop must make provision for the appropriate maintenance and residence of the priest who has resigned.

If a priest was to resign and leave the parochial house without the permission of the bishop there would be little a bishop could do except to remove his faculties (to say public Mass hear confessions,except in danger of death, preside at weddings,funerals etc)