Diocesan priest

A diocesan priest, even secular priests, secular priest, is a Roman Catholic priest. He serves the church within a diocese (also called diocese ). In contrast to the religious priests, the diocesan priest is incardinated in a diocese and is usually used primarily to pastoral communities and special services within the diocese. It fulfills the traditional functions of the clergy, namely, to teach the people of God to guide and sanctify through sacraments.

All Catholic priests are subject to a superior. In the case of the diocesan priest is the local bishop. The priest promises celibacy and obedience and reverence to the bishop. Livelihood he has obtained from his bishop, which also determines the use of the priest.

Diocesan priests are different from religious priests in several ways. Both were indeed ordained a priest in the same rite, but the religious priests praised a life according to the evangelical counsels (poverty, celibate chastity, obedience ), lives by a monastic rule and under the authority directly religious superior. As a member of a religious order, he usually wears a habit. A diocesan priest is legally required to be recognized as a priest ( Code of Canon Law, can. 284).

Priests every day the Eucharistic sacrifice ( can. 276 ), and are committed to the celebration of the Divine.