Within reason, when away on vacation or any other cause, every priest should be able to be reached — that is, someone in the rectory or in the institution where he regularly discharges his duties should know his whereabouts and how he can be expeditiously contacted in cases of special needs and/or emergencies.
Proper health care indicates an awareness of the essential unity between the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual well-being of a person. Just as the priest is responsible to pursue programs of spiritual enrichment and continuing education, a priest should develop and practice good health habits in order that he may minister effectively.
An afflicted person is not always able to diagnose himself and volunteer for treatment.
Should time away from a work assignment be needed to facilitate treatment or recovery, appropriate including proper financial consideration.
Annual Vacation: Every priest is entitled to an annual vacation of at least three continuous weeks, containing two full weekends during the summer or at another time mutually agreeable to him and to the pastor or other superior.
Christmas and Easter: Each priest is also entitled to one week vacation after Christmas and one week vacation after Easter, beginning Sunday and ending Saturday.
Substitute: It is the responsibility of the pastor or other superior to secure a substitute for these periods of vacation when one is needed. Payment for the substitute is to be made from parish funds.
Permanent Chaplain in Religious House or Catholic Institutions: The religious house or Catholic institution to which a permanent resident chaplain is attached has the same responsibility as a pastor to provide for a substitute during the vacation of the chaplain and for the expenses involved.
See PART FOUR of this policy entitled: FORMATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR PRIESTS.
If a priest is planning to be away for more than a month (combination of vacation, retreat, education etc.), he must, prior to leaving, notify the Office of Clergy Personnel so that it is aware of his absence.
The rectory, defined as the residential space provided for the priests, should be primarily a home for the residents;
Furnishings and Environment:
Furnishings: The rectory furnishings, including rugs and window treatments, should be of adequate quality, be maintained properly regarding cleanliness and periodically updated;
Personal Living Quarters:
Personal Quarters: Each priest resident should have adequate personal quarters consisting of a bedroom, sitting room and bath. The rooms should also be properly furnished and maintained.
Quality: It is expected that the residents’ food would be of quantity and quality comparable with the average household.
Guests: Priests should be able to treat their home in such a manner that guests would be welcome to dine at the rectory.
Meal Allowance
When a prepared main meal is not provided by the parish, an allowance for that day is given to each priest, the amount is published in the Compensation Guidelines for Parishes and Schools.
Basic Rule: The rectory should be both smoke-free and pet free unless all the residents agree otherwise.
Individual Basis: Practices relating to smoking and household pets in the rectory are delicate issues and will need to be negotiated on an individual rectory basis.
Priests are forbidden to assume, or to seek election or appointment to, any public office which entails participation in the exercise of civil power. They are also forbidden to have an active role in political parties and labor unions without the permission of the competent ecclesiastical authority. Canon 286
The world of digital communication, with its almost limitless expressive capacity, makes us appreciate all the more Saint Paul’s exclamation: ‘Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel’ ” (1 Cor 9:16) – Pope Benedict XVI, May 16, 2010, 44th World Day of Communication Message.
“Communication is a means of expressing the missionary vocation of the entire Church; today the social networks are one way to experience this call to discover the beauty of faith, the beauty of encountering Christ.”
– Pope Francis, World Communications Day Message
General Guidelines
Requirement: Within three months of ordination or incardination, every secular priest of the Archdiocese shall make a last will and testament, in a form valid under civil law.
File Required: A complete copy of the personnel file of the priest seeking to minister in the Archdiocese of Baltimore must be sent to the Director of the Office of Clergy Personnel along with a fully completed suitability form prior to any authorization being granted for the priest to seek R-1 immigration status.
Religious Priests: Religious priests who are exclaustrated from their order must also provide a letter of recommendation from their regional and local superior.
International Background Check: A complete International Background check must be completed prior to accepting any International priest.
802.12.3 Contract for Services
Generally there are two types of situations involving International priests:
1) Those that are seeking to minister in the United States for a specific period of time in order to assist a particular language or cultural group; and
2) Those seeking to be considered for incardination into the Archdiocese of Baltimore. See Canons 268-272 and section 7.2.2 of the document for information about this process.
1102.12.5 Treatment of Priests
All international priests are entitled to the same housing, meals and continuing education opportunities as the priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Priests who receive a pension as a result of their service in the military services should discuss their situation with the Delegate for Clergy to work out the details of their support.
