People are sometimes surprised to learn that priests get
paid. Our Lord, Himself says, “The labourer is worth his
wages.” (Luke 10:7). Parish priests are paid quite
naturally by their parishes. The wage itself is established
by the diocese, not the parish, so the pay is uniform
throughout the diocese according to the priest’s position,
(pastor or parochial vicar) and how many years he has
been ordained.
However not all the priests of the diocese are assigned to
parishes; some work fulltime in the Chancery or other
assignments such as chaplains to schools or hospitals.
Their salaries are paid by the diocese which, in turn, is
funded by the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal. While there are
several priests functioning at the diocesan level who are
pastors as well, and so only draw the one salary, there are
others who serve fulltime at the diocesan level and have no
parish assignment.
For example Father Paul de
Ladurantaye serves as the Secretary for Religious
Education and Sacred Liturgy. He is a good “go to man”
for parish priests with liturgical questions. Father Frank
Ready is the Vicar General for Pastoral Services and has
the Bishop’s authority to grant permissions and
dispensations that might be needed for certain marriage
cases. Father Ready is a great help when it comes to
hurdles that might be encountered in the course of
marriage preparation. Father Richard Mullins (formerly a
parishioner of St. Catherine’s) is involved both in Diocesan
Development and Multicultural Ministries which in an area
as polyglot as ours is enough to keep several priests
occupied fulltime. And these are just a few examples.
Then there is the question of retired priests. The
retirement age for priests is 75. Although a retired priest
may live at a parish he is no longer attached to a parish
and his salary is paid by the diocese. Additionally if he is a
resident at a parish the diocese pays that parish a token
amount to cover his room and board. If he is in a nursing
facility the diocese pays for that. In order to help
accommodate retired priests the diocese is building a priest
retirement home next to St. Michael’s in Annandale.
Although the construction is funded to a large degree by
private donors the cost of maintenance and upkeep will be
the responsibility of the diocese. Here again we see the
Bishop’s Lenten Appeal at work. In a very real sense when
supporting the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal we are supporting
our priests, many who are serving now as well as those
who have given a lifetime of service.