Q. Do you know how assignments of friars are made?
A. Most parishes are staffed by diocesan priests, who are expected to serve a single diocese until they retire. On the other hand, the bishop in charge of a diocese may entrust the care of a parish to a particular religious order. This is a sacred trust on the part of both parties; it is an agreement reached jointly, and the overall goal of both the diocese and the religious order is to care for the souls of parishioners in the best manner possible. Of course, the bishop remains in charge of the parish, and has ultimate responsibility and authority. Such agreements may be for a term of years or they may be indefinite. Early in 2004, the Capuchins and the Archdiocese renewed our five-year agreement to serve here at St. John's.
In parishes staffed by a religious order, individual priests are nominated to the bishop by the superior of the order. The bishop then appoints the priest as pastor or as parochial vicar (assistant). Thus, both the religious order and the diocese must agree to any clergy appointments. Usually, the diocese has a policy about what sort of priests may serve as pastor or vicar. Obviously, they must be men of good reputation, have a strong and true faith, have a "track record" of serving well, etc. For pastorships, usually the diocese requires that the priest be ordained a certain number of years.
In our Capuchin Order, provincial "chapters" are held every three years. New leadership is elected at these chapters. One of the first tasks of the new leaders is to look at the staffing of all the province's ministerial commitments. Our Provincial has recently completed this review. This is a time of some anxiety for friars, because all change is difficult and not all changes are anticipated or desired. Sometimes a position needs to be filled in one place, and that starts dominoes falling (i.e., friars packing) in many other places. We have only 120 friars in the province. Of these, 37 are seventy or older and 10 are in formation (i.e., preparing for vows and/or ordination). Many friars are in non-parish ministries: several are chaplains at hospitals, one - Fr. Ben who lives here at St. John's - is chaplain at a prison. We have friars who teach, and we have many friars who serve by taking care of other friars. As of this week, by my own informal count, only 23 friars are available for full time ministry as pastors and parochial vicars. The province staffs a total of 18 parishes. We have only one parish in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. We have parishes in the Archdioceses of Baltimore (4) and Washington, DC (1). We also serve parishes in the dioceses of Cleveland (2), Harrisburg (1), Pittsburgh (5), and Wheeling-Charleston (4). Obviously, the leaders of the province have their work cut out for them.
