A. Definition of "Junior Clergy"
The term "junior clergy" refers to all priests ordained less than seven (7) years.
B. Resources and Policies
- All junior clergy will attend the annual program sponsored by the Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops. Costs will be divided 50/50 between the priests’ parishes and the Archdiocese.
- A monthly meeting will be held between the pastor and the new assistant.
- The Archbishop will celebrate an annual Mass with the junior clergy, followed by dinner.
- Two interviews will be scheduled with the Archbishop during the first year of priesthood (after 6 months and 12 months). Attention will be paid to spiritual direction and ongoing human formation.
- New priests who need to consult a senior priest for practical counsel or advocacy should be aware that the Archbishop or Vicar General is always available.
- Each priest ordained less than seven years must attend every Clergy Study Day. If there is a need for an exception on a given occasion, the Archbishop must be personally informed.
- Each junior priest is urged to have a spiritual director and to see him monthly, and to attend to his ongoing human formation.
- The Archdiocese will fund professional counselling services for any priest who needs them.
C. Priests Named as Pastors
A priest ordained less than seven years who is named a pastor will be assigned a suitable priest as mentor and may, at the discretion of the Archbishop, be exempted from the provisions of this policy.
Approved:
Memorial of Saint Oscar Romero
March 24, 2023
+ J. Michael Miller, CSB
Archbishop of Vancouver
The following policy is hereby superseded: Ongoing Formation and Support for Junior Clergy, effective June 25, 2021.