Diocese of Sacramento PERSONNEL POLICY FOR PRIESTS APPROVED AND PROMULGATED BY BISHOP JAIME SOTO MAY 2016 Personnel Policy for Priests Page 1 of 26 FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................................... 5 DECREE OF PROMULGATION ...................................................................................................... 6 SECTION 1. BASIC MINISTRIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITY ..... 7 1.1 General Attributes of the Priest. ................................................................................................................. 7 1.1.1 Personal Spirituality. .................................................................................................................................. 7 1.1.2 Liturgical Role. ........................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1.3 Pastoral Concern. ........................................................................................................................................ 7 1.1.4 Ecumenism. ................................................................................................................................................ 7 1.1.5 Vocations. ................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1.6 Fraternal Support and Cooperation. ............................................................................................................ 7 1.1.7 Personal and Professional Growth. ............................................................................................................. 7 1.2 The Pastor. .................................................................................................................................................. 8 1.3 The Parochial Administrator. ..................................................................................................................... 8 1.4 The Parochial Vicar. ................................................................................................................................... 8 1.5 The Priest in Special Ministry. .................................................................................................................... 8 1.6 The Priest in Residence. .............................................................................................................................. 9 1.7 The Parish Steward and the Priest Supervisor. .......................................................................................... 9 1.8 Accountability. ............................................................................................................................................ 9 SECTION 2 – WORKING AND LIVING RELATIONSHIPS ................................................... 9 2.1 General Principles. .................................................................................................................................... 10 2.2 Working Relationships. ............................................................................................................................. 10 2.3 Living Relationships .................................................................................................................................. 10 2.3.1 Rectory Assignment. ................................................................................................................................ 10 2.3.2 Provisions. ................................................................................................................................................ 11 2.3.3 Privacy. ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.3.4 Guests. ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.3.5 Common Areas. ........................................................................................................................................ 11 2.3.6 Rectory Maintenance. ............................................................................................................................... 11 2.3.7 Smoking. ................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.3.8 Pets. .......................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.3.9 Security ..................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.4 Conflicts. .................................................................................................................................................... 12 SECTION 3 – PERSONNEL BOARD, ASSIGNMENTS AND INCARDINATION ........... 13 3.1 The Diocesan Bishop ................................................................................................................................. 13 Personnel Policy for Priests Page 2 of 26 3.2 The Presbyteral or Priests Personnel Board ............................................................................................. 13 3.2.1 Confidentiality .......................................................................................................................................... 13 3.2.2 Function .................................................................................................................................................... 13 3.2.3 Composition ............................................................................................................................................. 13 3.2.3.1 Eligibility ........................................................................................................................................ 13 3.2.3.2 Elected Members............................................................................................................................. 13 3.2.3.2.1 Nomination Process.................................................................................................................... 14 3.2.3.2.2 Elections ..................................................................................................................................... 14 3.2.3.2.3 Term ........................................................................................................................................... 14 3.2.3.3 Appointed members ........................................................................................................................ 14 3.2.4 Chair ......................................................................................................................................................... 14 3.2.5 Secretary ................................................................................................................................................... 14 3.3 General Policies Concerning the Assignment of Priests ........................................................................... 15 3.3.1 Principles .................................................................................................................................................. 15 3.3.2 Terms of Office ........................................................................................................................................ 15 3.3.2.1 The Pastor ....................................................................................................................................... 15 3.3.2.2 The Parochial Vicar ........................................................................................................................ 15 3.3.2.3 The Priest in Special Ministry ......................................................................................................... 16 3.3.3 Resignation for Transfer or Reassignment ............................................................................................... 16 3.4 Specific Procedures Concerning the Assignment of Priests...................................................................... 16 3.4.1 General Availability ................................................................................................................................. 16 3.4.2 Vacant Pastorate ....................................................................................................................................... 16 3.4.3 Parochial Vicars ........................................................................................................................................ 16 3.4.4 Special Ministry ........................................................................................................................................ 16 3.4.5 Newly Ordained ........................................................................................................................................ 17 3.4.6 Graduate Studies ....................................................................................................................................... 17 3.4.7 Non-Incardinated Priests .......................................................................................................................... 17