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Parish Pastoral Leaders: Canonical Structures and Practical Questions

by Rev. James Coriden, JCD, JD
May 9, 2007

One of the models of parish pastoral leadership that has emerged over the past twnety-five years is the use of Canon 517.2 to provide pastoral leadership in a parish withiout a pastor. As the canon is used, questions and conversations have arisen about specific points in living out the canon. "Parish Pastoral Leaders" focuses on some of these questions.

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Canonist, Fr. James Coriden contributes the following thougths to the conversation of the use of Canon 517.2 to provide pastoral leadership in parishes without a resident pastor.  He addresses specific questions that have arisen as dioceses work with this form of leadership.  As part of a growing conversation this article offers a canonical reflection on these significant questions.

 Fr. Coriden focuses on the role of the "non-priest" who is the de facto leader of the local parish community because a priest is not available to fill that role. "Parish Pastoral Leader" is used in the title and throughout the article (rather than "Parish Life Coordinator", e.g.) to include deacons, religious women or men (i.e., sisters or brothers), and lay women or men.

Fr. Coriden addresses questions such as whether or not there is a canonical preference for a deacon in this role; the canonical meaning of 'pastoral care,'  and the pastoral, finanical, and juridic responsibioltlies of the person appointed under this canon. In so doing, he urges us to respect the local parish community and provide effective pastoral life for God's people. 

Note: This text is a slightly revised version of an article written for The Jurist, a journal published by the School of Canon Law of The Catholic University of America.  The article will appear in a forthcoming issue. It is presented here for information only,  not for duplication or distribution. It is published here with permission.

For further information or permissions, please contact Fr. James Coriden (WTU.edu) or Fr. Thomas Greene (CUA.edu.)