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OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS

NORMS FOR

PRIESTS
AND THEIR

THIRD
AGE

NOVEMBER 18, 1987



TA ntroduction

The senior years of a priest’s ordained ministry,

especially the retirement years, are important for the

proper completion and perfection of the priestly

vocation. These norms, in accord with the Code of

Canon Law
,
are intended to promote both the value

and the dignity of the person as well as the ministry

and mission of the Church. These norms, in accord

with the Code ofCanon Law suggest that retirement

from a diocesan appointment does not imply an end

to ministry. Rather they speak of an entry into a third

age where the Spirit is calling us to reflect upon, to

integrate, and to complete the ministry to which we

were called.

1_f The bishop normally should allow any
priest to retire when he has reached the age of

seventy-five. The diocesan bishop, in consultation

with the presbyteral council, can adopt a diocesan

policy which allows priests, for pastoral or personal

reasons, to retire from diocesan assignment at an

earlier age. Pastors are asked to submit their letters of

resignation by the age of seventy-five.

Canon 538, 3: When a pastor has com-

pleted his seventy-fifth year of age he is

asked to submit his resignation from office



to the diocesan bishop, who, after consider-

ing all the circumstances of person and

place, is to decide whether to accept or

defer the resignation; the diocesan bishop,

taking into account the norms determined

by the conference of bishops, is to provide

for the suitable support and housing of the

resigned pastor. (Code of Canon Law :

Washington, D.C., Canon Law Society of

America, 1983)

2** * Diocesan policy should specify the age
when every priest will enter into a process of

discernment with the diocesan bishop regarding

when and how he will retire from diocesan appoint-

ment. Further, all dioceses should provide for those

who, through disability, have to retire prior to the age

determined by diocesan policy.

3 *
1 The diocesan bishop, in consultation with

the presbyteral council, might wish to consider the

naming of a retirement committee for the purpose of

discerning with each given priest his proper time for

resigning his diocesan appointment. While retaining

to himself the right to make the final decision with



any given priest, the diocesan bishop will be assisted

and guided by the report and the reflections which

such a committee will offer him.

4 *
Each diocese should maintain its own index

of senior priests. Thus, retired from their own

diocesan appointments, these men could indicate the

kinds of ministry they want to continue to offer. The

pastors of the diocese would thus be able to contact

those priests easily in times of special need.

• Diocesan bishops should develop plans and

programs to assist priests with preparation for then-

third age. This will enhance the value of this third

age both for the individual priest and for the local

church whose ministry will continue to be a central

focus of his life.

Diocesan bishops should appoint a priest

whose duties include assisting senior priests with

their third age planning as well as being an advocate

for their concerns. The diocese also is encouraged to



provide options for third age ministry.

7
# * Diocesan bishops should strongly promote a

program which encourages the physical, emotional,

and spiritual health of all priests. Senior priests must

be included in such programs; and, efforts to provide

sufficient medical insurance for them is essential.

Q
^ * The diocese should provide various options

for the housing of third age priests, according to

diocesan policy. Normally, the retiring priest should

be given a choice in regard to his retirement housing.

Diocesan bishops should provide as a norm

special arrangements for those who are physically or

emotionally in need of such care.

10
Each diocese should guarantee that priests

be given adequate support through a long-range, fi-



nancially independent, and professionally managed

pension fund. In addition, the priest should bear in

mind responsible stewardship of his own resources.

Participation in the social security system, as well as

IRAs, or other forms of savings, is considered an

essential element of this stewardship. He should also

be mindful of the needs of the local church in his last

will and testament.

11
The diocesan bishops should normally

ensure that diocesan programs give specific consid-

eration to the spiritual growth of third age priests.

Thus the diocesan program of retreats, conferences,

mentoring, spiritual direction, and support groups all

should consider the senior priest.

Diocesan bishops and priests should

develop a special sensitivity to the needs and the

inclusion of the senior priests in diocesan life.

13
*\ Dioceses, in their efforts to provide

effective retirement policies and procedures, should



be aware of the resources and expertise provided by

national organizations both within and outside the

Church.

On November 18, 1987 at their Plenary Meeting, the

members of the National Conference of Catholic Bish-

ops approved the documentNormsforPriestsand Their

Third Age prepared by the Bishops’ Committee for

Priestly Life and Ministry. In a letter dated January 19,

1988 (Prot. No. 5465/87/4) Archbishop Pio Laghi, the

Apostolic Pro-Nuncio, informed the Conference that

the Cardinal Prefect ofthe Congregation forClergy had

asked him to tell the Conference that “this document

has been carefully examined and that there is no objec-

tion to its publication.” Accordingly, it is authorized for

publication by the undersigned.

Monsignor Daniel F. Hoye

General Secretary

February 23, 1988 NCCB/USCC

ISBN 1-55586-207-1

Copyright © 1988

United States Catholic Conference, Inc.

1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20005-4105

All rights reserved.



o STATES
§

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CONFERENCE

Publication No. 207-1

Office of Publishing and Promotion Services

United States Catholic Conference

1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N. W.

Washington, D.C. 20005-4105

ISBN 1-55586-207-1