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Catholic church law stipulates various penalties for priests who violate the rules of their ministry. They are defined as follows:
Administrative leave: The strongest action a diocesan bishop can take against a priest on his own. Priests on administrative leave may not celebrate the sacraments publicly, engage in priestly ministry or present themselves as priests in any way. They remain financially supported by the archdiocese, which may include housing, food, insurance and a salary.
Permanent removal from ministry: Priests are prohibited from wearing clerical clothing and publicly presenting themselves as priests. They are expected to lead a life of prayer and penance and are still under the authority of the archbishop and subject to certain priestly responsibilities including celibacy. They remain financially supported by the archdiocese, which may include housing, food, insurance and a salary.
Dismissed from clerical state or defrocked: This can happen at the direction of the Vatican or as the result of an ecclesiastical penal trial and leaves a priest permanently dispensed from both the rights and obligations of the priesthood. This constitutes the church's ultimate penalty. They are no longer supported financially by the archdiocese. Catholic church law stipulates various penalties for priests who violate the rules of their ministry. They are defined as follows:
Administrative leave: The strongest action a diocesan bishop can take against a priest on his own. Priests on administrative leave may not celebrate the sacraments publicly, engage in priestly ministry or present themselves as priests in any way. They remain financially supported by the archdiocese, which may include housing, food, insurance and a salary.
Permanent removal from ministry: Priests are prohibited from wearing clerical clothing and publicly presenting themselves as priests. They are expected to lead a life of prayer and penance and are still under the authority of the archbishop and subject to certain priestly responsibilities including celibacy. They remain financially supported by the archdiocese, which may include housing, food, insurance and a salary.
Dismissed from clerical state or defrocked: This can happen at the direction of the Vatican or as the result of an ecclesiastical penal trial and leaves a priest permanently dispensed from both the rights and obligations of the priesthood. This constitutes the church's ultimate penalty. They are no longer supported financially by the archdiocese.
-- Source: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati |
