Video-conference - Congregation for the Clergy (May 27^th 2005)

Father Paolo Scarafoni, L.C.

Rector of the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University

"The parish is a certain community of the Christian faithful stably constituted in a particular church, whose pastoral care is entrusted to a pastor (parochus) as its proper pastor (pastor) under the authority of the diocesan bishop" (515).

This definition emphasises the community, and also the territorial element, although important, is considered secondary. The parish priest’s duty is described as the pastoral care of the community.

Ecclesial communion with the diocese and with the universal church is emphasised, actually achieved through parish communion (529). This takes place above all when celebrating the sacraments, and in particular the Eucharist.

The parish is created or abolished by the diocesan bishop, who must act according to the criteria of the redemption of souls. Its size and population must be such that allows sufficient spiritual assistance, reciprocal knowledge and cooperation between the parish priest, the priests and the faithful.

Parishes have juridical status, not as a civil association taking decisions by a majority of votes, but due to the will and the agreement of the authority, capable also of accepting proposals from the community.

Parishes are territorial, but there can also be personal parishes, by reason of the ritual, language or nationality or other particular reasons (518).

The parish priest acts through his ministry or pastoral care. This is a mission involving spiritual service. In this manner he is the main person responsible for the bishops’ pastoral care, with the triple function of teaching, sanctifying and governing.

Teaching: preaching, catechesis, Catholic education, spreading the faith.

Sanctifying: the Eucharist, the sacraments, prayer, and the Catholic liturgy.

Governing as a pastor: knowing the faithful, visiting families, the sick, assisting the poor and the distressed, helping married couples and parents in achieving their mission.

The functions especially entrusted to parish priests are: baptisms, marriages, the viaticum, funerals, processions, solemn benedictions, and the main Sunday celebration.

In each parish there must be only one parish priest, who is the parish’s legal representative and must ensure that its possessions are administered according to the Code of Canon Law (1281-1288). The person in charge of a parish must be a juridical ‘person’. The Bishop may entrust the parish to a religious order, on condition that the parish priest is introduced by the competent superior. The parish priest is a presbyter with a healthy doctrine, honest habits and pastoral zeal, freely chosen by the bishop who must be certain of his suitability, if necessary ascertained with an exam. His appointment is indefinite and stability is also required.

The figure of a parish office in solidum also exists (pluribus in solidum) (518). The pastoral care of one or more parishes is entrusted to a group of various priests. They constitute a priestly group for providing joint and united pastoral care, coordinated by a moderator. Functions are distributed among the members of the group according to an established order. It is also possible to act as a substitute.

A pastoral council may be organised in parishes; this is not compulsory and has consulting characteristics with statutes that must be approved by the diocesan bishop. It must reflect a certain image of the parish, with priests, religious and secular members and have few members. This had a permanent status with rotating members and continuity is important.

The council for financial affairs (537) is compulsory and must comply with criteria of administrative efficiency, and have competent faithful as its members.