Different Kinds Of Priests?

[Debra Little]

What is the difference between a priest and
a monsenior? What is a arch priest. This
was mentioned during the Conclave when the
Cardinals were taking their vow.

[cappie]

 The ordained priesthood is the term for all Catholic priests. Priests are incardinated (meaning fixed or assigned) into a diocese or order and they act to assist the bishops. These are some common Catholic priest titles:

 

Diocesan Priest: A diocesan priest is any priest that is fixed within a diocese, not part of a religious institute.

 

Parish Priest or Pastor: The parish priest or pastor is the priest that many Catholics are most familiar with. He is appointed by the diocesan bishop to a particular parish and has the duty to exercise the pastoral care of that community.

 

Parochial Vicar: Parochial vicars act as an assistant to the pastor, as noted in the Code of Canon Law: “Whenever it is necessary or opportune for the due pastoral care of the parish, one or more Assistant Priests can be joined with the Parish Priest. As cooperators with the Parish Priest and sharers in his concern, they are, by common counsel and effort with the Parish Priest and under his authority, to labor in the pastoral ministry.” (CCL 545)

 

Vicar General: A vicar general acts as an assistant directly to the bishop, assisting with the governance of the diocese. There is usually only one vicar general, unless a valid reason (such as a very large diocese) requires more. Many vicar generals are priests – however, a bishop may fulfill the role as well.

 

Archpriest or Vicar Forane: These terms refer to a priest who is placed in charge of a vicariate forane, a group of parishes within a diocese. He acts as a help for the parish priests and other priests in the vicariate forane, not as an authority over them.

 

Monsignor: Monsignor is an honorary title conferred upon a diocesan priest by the pope at the request of the priest’s bishop. This establishes the priest as a member of the papal household. It is an honorific title which does not add to a priest’s authority.

Edited March 25, 2013 by cappie