C. The diocesan clergy

28. All priests, whether diocesan or religious, share and exercise with the bishop the one priesthood of Christ. They are thus constituted providential cooperators of this episcopal order. The diocesan clergy have, however, a primary role in the care of souls because, being incardinated in or appointed to a particular church, they are wholly dedicated in its service to the care of a particular section of the Lord's flock, and accordingly form one priestly body and one family of which the bishop is the father. In order to allot the sacred ministries more suitably and more equitably among his priests, the bishop must have the requisite liberty in making appointments to ministries and benefices. All rights and privileges which in any way restrict that liberty should accordingly be abrogated.

The relations between the bishop and the diocesan clergy should be based before all else on supernatural charity, so that their unity of purpose will make their pastoral activity more effective. Therefore, to ensure an increasingly effective apostolate, the bishop should be willing to engage in dialogue with his priests, individually and collectively, not merely occasionally, but if possible, regularly. Furthermore, the diocesan priests should be united among themselves and should be genuinely zealous for the spiritual welfare of the whole diocese. They should bear in mind that the worldly goods which they acquire through their ecclesiastical functions are closely connected with their sacred office, and they should therefore contribute liberally to the material needs of the diocese, according to the bishop's directives. (See D. 46, 18.)

29. Priests to whom the bishop entrusts a pastoral duty or apostolic work of a trans-parochial nature collaborate even more closely with him, whether they are assigned to a portion of the diocese, a special group of the faithful, or a particular kind of work.

Outstanding assistance is rendered also by those priests who whom the bishop entrusts various apostolic activities in schools or in other institutions or associations.

Moreover, those priests who are involved in trans-diocesan activities should be shown particular solicitude especially by the bishop in whose diocese they reside, since they are engaged in apostolic work of great importance.

30. Parish priests are in a special sense collaborators with the bishop. They are given, in a specific section of the diocese, and under the authority of the bishop, the care of souls as their particular shepherd.

(1) In exercising the care of souls parish priests and their assistants should carry out their work of teaching, sanctifying and governing in such a way that the faithful and the parish communities may feel that they are truly members both of the diocese and of the universal Church. They should therefore collaborate both with other parish priests and with those priest who are exercising a pastoral function in the district (such as vicars and deans) or who are engaged in works of an extra-parochial nature, so that the pastoral work of the diocese may be rendered more effective by a spirit of unit. Furthermore, the care of souls should always be inspired by a missionary spirit, so that it extends with due prudence to all those who live in the parish. And if the parish priest cannot make contact with certain groups of people he should call to his aid others, including laymen, to assist him in matters relating to the apostolate.

For the better ordering of the care of souls priests are strongly recommended to live in common, especially those attached to the same parish. This on one hand is helpful to their apostolate work, and on the other gives to the faithful an example of charity and unity.

(2) In their role as teachers it is the duty of parish priests to preach the word of God to all the faithful so that they, being firmly rooted in faith, hope and charity, may grow in Christ, and the Christian community may give that witness to charity which the Lord commended.[3] They should likewise by means of catechetical instruction lead all the faithful, according to their capacity, to a full knowledge of the mystery of salvation. In providing this instruction, they should invoke the help not only of religious, but of the laity by establishing the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine.

In carrying out their work of sanctification parish priests should ensure that the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice is the center and culmination of the entire life of the Christian community. It should also be their aim to ensure that the faithful receive spiritual nourishment from a frequent and devout reception of the sacraments and from an attentive and fervent participation in the liturgy. Parish priests must bear it constantly in mind how much the sacrament of penance contributes to the development of the Christian life and should therefore be readily available for the hearing of the confessions of the faithful. If necessary they should call on other priest who are fluent in different languages to help in this work.

In carrying out their duties as pastors parish priests should make it their special concern to know their parishioners. Since they are the shepherds of all the individual sheep they should endeavour to stimulate a growth of the Christian life in each one of the faithful, in families, in associations, especially those dedicated to the apostolate, and, finally, in the parish as a whole. They should therefore, visit the homes and the schools as their pastoral function requires of them. They should manifest a special interest in adolescents and young people; they should exercise a paternal charity towards the poor and the sick. Finally, they should have a special care for the workers, and should urge the faithful to give their support to apostolic activities.

(3) Curates, as co-workers with the parish priest, should be eager and fervent in their daily exercise of their pastoral ministry under the authority of the parish priest. There should therefore be a fraternal relationship between the parish priest and his curates; mutual charity and respect should prevail, and they should assist each other by advice, practical help and example, providing with harmonious will and a common zeal for the needs of the parish. (See D. 46, 19.)

31. In forming a judgment as to the suitability of a priest for governing a parish, the bishop should take into consideration not only his learning but also his piety, his zeal for the apostolate, and those other gifts and qualities which are necessary for the proper care of souls.

____________________________________________________________________ 3. Cf. Jn. 13:35.

Moreover the care of souls is the whole function of a parish priest. It follows that, if a bishop is more easily and efficiently too make provision for the parishes, all rights whatsoever of presentation, nomination and reservation should be abrogated, without prejudice, however, to the rights of religious. Regulations for _ _concursus__, whether general or particular, should also be rescinded where they exist.

Each parish priest should enjoy that security of tenure in his parish as the good of souls requires. Therefore the distinction between removable and irremovable parish priests should be abandoned and the procedure for the transfer or removal of a parish priest should be reexamined and simplified so that the bishop, while observing the principles of natural and canonical justice, may more suitably provide for the good of souls.

Parish priests who on account of advanced years or for some other grave reason are unable to perform their duties adequately and fruitfully are earnestly requested to tender their resignation spontaneously, or when the bishop invites them to do so. The bishop will make suitable provision for the support of those who retire. (See D. 46, 20.)

32. finally, the same concern for the salvation of souls should be the motive for determining or reconsidering the erection or suppression of parishes and other changes of this kind. The bishop may act in these matters on his own authority. (See D. 46, 21.)