POLICIES ON THE CLERGY
 (Based on DPA-I Decrees)

PROVISIONS ON THE CLERGY

THE CLERGY IN GENERAL

 1.       All priests to attend the following: Mass of Holy Chrism, annual meeting of the Presbyterium, annual retreat of priests.

2.       All priests are urged to attend the following: conferences, seminars, recollections for priests

3.       Priests who are habitually absent from these community gatherings to be admonished by the bishop.

TENURE OF PRIESTS’ ASSIGNMENTS

 1.       Term of office for parish priests – 3 years, renewable for another 3

2.       Term of office of parochial vicars – according to bishop’s discretion

3.       Changes in priests’ assignments to be synchronized every 3 years

4.       New assignments normally to take effect beginning of July.

 REMUNERATION

1.       Basic allowance for all priests to be the same regardless of assignments

 STIPENDS, BENEFITS AND SECURITY

1.       Mass stipends to be according to approved Diocesan List

2.       MS Hospitalization Plan – to be paid by the parish or diocese

3.       Expenses beyond amount covered to be responsibility of the diocese

4.       CBCP Retirement Plan – to be paid by individual priest himself. Pension at 65.

5.       Provision for illness, incapacity, or old age to be provided by diocese. A foundation to be set up for such purpose.

6.       Common home for priests to be constructed. 

 VACATION AND ABSENCE

1.       Every priest to observe the law of residence

2.       Vacation and leave of absence to have explicit permission of the bishop

3.       Condition for vacation leave:

With Bishop’s permission

Arrange for a substitute

One month for every year

Not cumulative or commutative

4.       If away for more than a week, should have permission of the bishop. If away on a Sunday, arrange for a substitute

5.       Monday is free day, but priest should be available for any emergency call.

 PRIESTLY FORMATION

1.       Diocesan Vocation Association to be established, to be composed of priests, religious and committed lay persons. Function – to promote vocation awareness. In particular:

To promote priestly and religious vocations

 To establish financial support for diocesan seminary

To assist in pastoral exposure of seminarians

To help parishes establish their own vocation committees.

2.       On going formation program for priests and deacons to be formulated and implemented. Program to include the following:

Training in pastoral planning and management, communication skills, human relations, team ministry, and the like .

Updating on emerging theological issues, liturgy, new Movements in the Church, recent Church documents, and the like

3.       Priest 5 or 6 years in the ministry may avail of sabbatical leave of one semester for rest and further formation. But must consult with the Bishop on this matter.

4.       Priests to be accountable to the community regarding personal, sacramental and prayer life

5.       Priests to strive top give witness to being “men of God” and “ministers of the Lord” through simple lifestyle and sincere solidarity with the poor

6.       Committee on the Clergy:

To study possibility of setting up a system of assignment, evaluation and discipline for the Clergy

To play active role in helping resolve problems of the clergy

To make recommendation to Bishop re regular sabbatical leaves for rest and on-going formation to enhance pastoral effectiveness of priests

7.       Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy to be appointed and head the Committee on the Clergy

 

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Thursday, September 13, 2001 03:46:15 PM