What do you want in a parish priest?

Question

Please, no comments about molestation, etc. here. I'm looking for real answers as to what priests need to work on most in their daily ministry.

To Primioa19... Every Christian believes in sacraments on some level. A sacrament is simply a mystery of the faith made present in the physical world. If we don't need sacraments, then why did we need Jesus Christ?

To Raul V...Learn the facts and stop listening to the media bias. There are more Protestant pastors that are pedophiles than Catholic priests, 2-3% versus 0.2-1.7% respectively. (Philip Jenkins, Pedophiles and Priests (New York: Oxford University Press), pp. 50 and 81.)

Answer 1

1. Someone who believes that the Holy Bible is 100% infallible True Living Word of God and that the Holy Spirit speaks through the Word.
2. Someone who has compassion for members of his flock when they stumble over & over and does not condemn, but instead ministers to them thru Christ's love.
3. Someone who is up with current events, so that there can be open discussions made available to members so that they understand God's perspective on what is going on.
4. Someone who believes in promoting Men's Only retreats, Women's Only Retreats, Singles (Late Teen/Early 20's) Retreats and Married Couples Retreats to assist in communications not only with each other, but God's love being more fully understood in our daily lives.
5. Music from ALL generations - from pre-Luther to Modern that strongly send's God's message and can move the spirit, even if it means mixed or different services cater to specific types of music.
6. Someone who will remain with the Church for the long haul; not just for a couple/5/10 year stints. Someone who will remain with the Church through thick and thin and retire with his flock.
7. Someone who supports missionary work. Fundraisers are done to assist both domestic and international missionary work.
8. Someone who is not afraid to face the tougher sides of his community; reach out to the homeless, drug addicts, satan worshipers, lost teens, prostitutes, prisons.
9. Someone who can sit down and put to pen what he has learned, what God has taught him, how He groomed him, lead him, and other things to help teach and bring others closer to Christ.
10. Someone who has a servant's heart.

This is just a quick list. There is always the Lord's work to do!

032707 7:22

Answer 2

I appreciate priests with an air of humility.
Nothing is worse than seeing clergy who think they are holier-than-thou attitudes. We are all equally God's children.
I like a priest who is approachable and friendly and who doesn't seem judgemental. Good advice and a sense of humor help.
I like to see clergy who are active in the community...charity work, assisting the community, etc. And the people as members of the church know we can always go to a priest for help...but remind the church and make it welcoming. And remind the church that they can always approach the clergy with questions, no matter what.

Answer 3

Honesty, integrity, and a willingingness to admit when he is wrong. After that, a parish priest needs to be able to separate himself from the politics of a parish, listen to the needs of parishioners without losing sight of Jesus, collaborate with other ministers, and, if possible, have some skill in homiletics. As pastor of a parish needs all this and almost must be able and willing to listen to others who know more than he does when it comes to "running the administration" of a parish. (I'm thinking finance committee, specifically.)

Answer 4

What I had in a priest and severely missed when his terms were up is:

1) someone who moves amongst the people and talks with us like he's one of us instead of the "master of the manor". We want someone who we are on friendly terms with who doesn't hide out in the parish office and rarely makes a visit out unless it's to go to the rectory or to conduct mass. In short MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE in a casual social way and get to know your flock.

2)someone who REALLY listens to what we are saying. At times, it seems that the priests don't take the time to actually LISTEN to what people are saying before giving the quick 10 sec one size fits all answer and moving on to the next person. You need to pay attention to the little things said. It's often a big clue to a larger underlying problem not being mentioned directly out of fear or shame.

3)someone who isn't afraid to show his emotions no matter if it's happy, sad, sympathetic, enraged or whatever. We like someone who has emotions and who isn't afraid to show them. It's actually empowering to people to know that priests have bad days too.

4)A meaningful homily. You have to have a good homily otherwise people tune out and don't get anything from the mass...here is where being amongst the people helps because you can see what issues people are thinking and dealing with and include them in your homily.

In general, that's what I like in a priest and have greatly missed this past year as our new pastor has all the warmth and compassion of sandpaper with the social skills of a hermit.

Answer 5

A Very Good Listener ; Someone who has clear views, but can understand where others are coming from after a little discussion... not to say that the Father should compromise, just understand, and then speak what he believes

Answer 6

The wisdom of an owl, the meekness of dove, the power of a hawk. Know the truth, serve the faithful, chastize the proud and arrogant.

Answer 7

To speak the truth......and tell his listeners that the catholic church is riddled with idolatry.

And to follow the true mandated teachings of Christ.....not the sacraments.

Salvation comes by turning to Christ in repentance....and salvation is instant....at the moment you believe.....you are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise....it is not a process.

Answer 8

Why do you need a priest for when you have God? It's not like priest's have some sort of connection to God. How would he know how to help?

Answer 9

Honesty and integrity. He should be ministering to people's needs not promoting a lot of mindless Christian dogma.

Answer 10

They need to practice what they preach first and foremost.