The Archdiocese of Vancouver built St. Joseph’s Residence for retired priests, but clergy without a parish could benefit from an association to offer them prayer and fellowship, writes Msgr. Lopez-Gallo. (B.C. Catholic photo)
The resignation of a parish priest at age 75 is not as dramatic a change as that of a bishop, but it also puts his spiritual life at great risk.
Before the new Code of Canon Law came into effect in 1983, a bishop remained in his residence and a pastor in his rectory. Since then, retired bishops and pastors cannot continue to reside there and must look for a new abode, as mentioned in my Oct. 8 article.
When it comes to leaving the office of a parish priest, the new code makes a clear distinction between religious and secular clergy. For a religious priest, the bishop and the superior of the order each has the right to remove a parish priest provided prior notice has been given to the other. The consent of the other authority to this removal is not required (canon 682 §2).
For secular clergy, when a parish priest has completed his 75th year of age he is requested to offer his resignation from office to the diocesan bishop. It is only when the bishop accepts his withdrawal from office that his service ceases.
It is here that a new and completely different lifestyle starts for him. Few priests can afford to live in their own home or organize their spiritual life with a private chapel to celebrate their daily Mass, or be in touch with another pastor who will allow them to celebrate Mass in church daily. Some are able to find a health-care community for the elderly, and some dioceses have a comfortable community for older priests.
The welfare of retired priests is a priority in canon law: “The diocesan bishop must make provision for the appropriate maintenance and residence of the priest who has resigned” (canon 538 §8).
A reference is made to the norms established by the conference of bishops concerning financial support and health care of those having offered their resignation. This canon decrees that the principles of natural justice and equity must be taken into account, as well as the traditions and circumstances of each diocese:
“1: Each diocesan bishop shall see to it that a specific and funded plan is established to provide adequate support and accommodation for all retired priests incardinated in his diocese. Available government pension programs, public pension plans, and other social benefit programs shall be taken into account.
“2: Each diocesan bishop shall also see to it that priests incardinated in the diocese who have become incapacitated before the regular retirement age, will receive sufficient assistance to provide for adequate support and accommodation, taking into account any social assistance programs to which they may be entitled.
“3: The administration and verification of the adequacy of these retirement and disability funds shall be entrusted to persons who are recognized as being truly competent in the field.”
Canon 222 rules: “Christ’s faithful have the obligation to provide for the needs of the Church so that the Church has available to it those things which are necessary for divine worship, for works of the apostolate and of charity and for the worthy support of its ministers.”
Our retired priests deserve to enjoy the last years of are worthy of enjoying the last years of their lives with the honest and congruous support of their diocese after having administered the sacraments to their beloved parishioners for so many years. However, these priests do not have a fraternity or an association that brings them together. It would be good if they could organize a kind of club to unite them in prayer, sport, excursions, or pilgrimages to the Holy Land or other sanctuaries.
It was a great undertaking for the Archdiocese of Vancouver to build the St. Joseph’s Residence on Willow Street for these retired priests, nine apartments in the same building as the offices of the Archdiocese. Perhaps the first steps could be taken to create such an association, because it is very sad to see that retired priests are either not invited for study weeks or, worse still, asked to pay. A first measure would be to allow them and permanent deacons to pay half price to assist at the annual retreat.
Another initiative would be to have a Retired Priests Day with a special collection for these deserving men of God.