Issued Date: 8/9/2021
Purpose
To clarify who is allowed to reside in a Parish Rectory and to indicate the expectations for priestly residence in general.
Policy
I. PRIESTLY RESIDENCE IN GENERAL
1) Generally, priests and seminarians assigned to parochial ministry are to reside in a Parish Rectory. Priests and seminarians assigned to non-parochial ministry within the Archdiocese are to reside in the Institution Provided Housing, or at a Parish Rectory as directed by the Archbishop, unless some other provision has been approved in writing by the Archbishop (for priests) or the rector of the seminary (for seminarians).
2) A Parish providing housing to a priest who is not assigned to that Parish is not required to obtain approval from the Parish Corporate Board (or a Proxy) for such an arrangement.
3) Food, laundry, internet, cable TV, household help, etc. shall be provided by the Parish or institution for those priests living in Parish Rectory or Institution Provided Housing. Priests not living in the Parish Rectory or Institution Provided Housing will be reimbursed for the above expenses according to the Annual Compensation Schedule for Clergy.
4) To maintain equity among assigned priests and compliance with IRS obligations, Parishes or institutions shall not provide payments for priest’s personal property.
5) A housing allowance or similar method of additional payment to a priest may not be provided as a form of supplemental salary or to offset unauthorized expenses.
6) Pastors who permit Long-term Residents other than priests to stay in a Parish Rectory must notify the Parish Corporate Board in writing.
7) Priests may not permit any person to reside or stay overnight at a Parish Rectory or Institution Provided Housing if to do so would have the appearance of, or give rise to, scandal under Canon Law or a violation of the Code of Conduct for Clergy.
8) Minors, unless they are relatives of one of the assigned residents, are not permitted to stay overnight in a Parish Rectory or Institution Provided Housing. Minors may never share the same sleeping room with a priest or seminarian.
9) Retired priests may reside at the Byrne Residence, in a Parish Rectory or Institution Provided Housing, or in housing they arrange. This policy applies to all of those living arrangements.
10) Priest residents in a Parish Rectory or Institution Provided Housing are encouraged to make an inventory of any personal property of value and have this inventory on file at the Archdiocese. This will facilitate a claim in the event of any loss or destruction of personal property.
11) Priests who are residents of a Parish Rectory or Institutional Provided Housing are responsible for paying for all damage caused by themselves, their pets, and visitors.
II. ALTERNATIVE RESIDENCES FOR PRIESTS
1) Any proposal by a priest assigned to a Parish to use a residence other than the Parish Rectory or Institution Provided Housing must receive the unanimous approval of the Parish Corporate Board. The proposal for an alternative residence must be submitted in writing to the Vicar General and must include: a) the location of the residence; b) arrangements for availability by telephone or other means; and c) financial arrangements.
2) Approval of an alternative residence will be based on consideration of the Pastoral needs of the Parish including the proximity of the proposed residence to the Parish.
3) Financing for the residence must be arranged in consultation with the Parish Finance Council and the Parish Pastoral Council, and, in the case of a Parochial Vicar, with approval of the Pastor. Financing by a Parish or institution for an alternative residence is not to exceed the amount established in the Compensation Schedule for Clergy. Exceptions require written approval from the members of the Parish Corporate Board and must be included in the request for an alternative residence.
4) A priest who lives in an approved alternative residence is subject to the general policies on priestly residence that apply to a Parish Rectory or Institution Provided Housing.
