In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, diocesan priests' salaries average about $40,000 yearly. They rent their living quarters and are responsible for their own car and insurance, pension plan payments, and retirement savings. In some dioceses, a diocesan priest receives a monthly stipend which can be $400 or more. He might also receive room and board, or have a car and car insurance paid for by the parish he serves. All diocesan priests pay taxes.

Diocesan priests make no vows. For ordination, they freely make promises of celibacy and obedience to their Bishop. See similar questions...

Yes. Diocesan priests are canon lawyers serving on the Tribunal, chaplains in high schools and colleges, and prison or hospital chaplains. Some are professors or teachers in high schools, colleges, and seminaries. Others are scholars in some field of Church studies, such as Scripture scholars or moral theologians. Diocesan priests may work as licensed counselors and psychologists. Usually, priests in these various ministries have some connection to parish ministry, even if only on weekends. See similar questions...

Total Ministry is a grass-roots, defined-in-the-congregation type of plan. The Canon Missioners from the Diocese introduced the various options, but we are not forced to follow any particular plan. Total Ministry when accepted is refined and adapted to the individual situation. See similar questions...

A Ministry Team is a group of people from our congregations, chosen and called by our congregations for specific ministries. Together they will be able minister in all the ways a traditional seminary-trained priest does, but only in our congregations. Ministry Teams are designed to fit the needs of the congregation(s) they serve. See similar questions...

No, because priests are not just for priests. Priests are called to serve, nourish, and stir into flame the gifts of the whole Church for the building of the Kingdom of God. The great task of transforming society into a Culture of Life, starting in the family and extending into the realm of business, media, politics, and every other arena, belongs to the laity by virtue of their baptism and confirmation. See similar questions...

Most monks in our tradition do not become priests. Some are already priests before entering the community. From time to time a brother may feel called to ordination. This call is discerned by the Abbot and the community and, if the discernment is positive, the brother will commence the required studies for the priesthood. If need be he will go to a seminary for his studies. Priestly discernment and studies take place only after solemn profession of vows. See similar questions...

Team ministers are allowed to serve in ministries of our parishes, such as the Living Waters and Morris Campus Ministry. By special permission of the bishop, they may serve at other diocesan events such as Cursillo. Canon-9 priests and deacons may vote at convention and attend clergy conference. See similar questions...

Yes, everyone, of any age, is welcome at any and all of our worship services. Please refer the our Worship page for more information about the services and schedule. See similar questions...

The Rev. Priscilla Gray is part of our Formation and Training Team and will be helping with the preparation of our Team Ministers. Other diocesan-trained deacons may on occasion be involved in specific parts of the preparation. See similar questions...

a. unite, encourage, and provide ongoing training to priests and deacons who give a special emphasis to the "life issues", especially abortion and euthanasia, in their ministries; b. instill a sense of urgency in all clergy to teach about these issues and to mobilize their people to help stop abortion and euthanasia; See similar questions...

Priests for Life actually started in San Francisco by a number of priests who wanted to activate and encourage their brother priests in the pro-life cause. Fr. Lee Kaylor was the first President of the organization. He came to know Fr. Frank Pavone and Fr. Jim Heyd, and eventually asked them to serve in leadership capacities. It was in 1993 that Fr. Frank Pavone became the first full-time director of Priests for Life, with the permission of Cardinal John O'Connor, and Fr. See similar questions...

Yes, but only if they marry before taking the vows. A married priest can not make a "career" within the church. See similar questions...

Since a diocesan priest does not take a vow of poverty, he receives a personal salary. Priests receive a salary commensurate with the local standard of living enabling him to pay for expenses he has: medical, car, books, entertainment, vacation and charitable contributions. Basic necessities are provided by the parish where he serves. The amount of money made by a priest is not really important. See similar questions...

No, because dating is meant to lead one to marriage, and as celibates we plan not to marry. However, we can and do have friends of the opposite sex. See similar questions...

Hopefully, "fight" is too strong a word; perhaps disagreement would be more accurate. This is natural, expected, and healthy when people are living together. Presuming the maturity of the people involved, most disagreements can be worked out to the benefit and satisfaction of all. Priests work at growing in the art of communication, and this demands trust, openness, and willingness to live in the tension involved in talking out differences. See similar questions...

No, usually not. While some join the priesthood in the belief they are serving God they are really serving idolatry and myth See similar questions...

Only a bishop can ordain a priest because he shares in the ministry of Jesus passed down through the apostles. See similar questions...