Why do priests get reassigned? — Q&A with Vicar

The Archdiocese of Newark recently finalized its annual process of priest reassignments. Being reassigned is typical and is part of priests’ promises of obedience but can be disconcerting to parishioners who grow attached to the leadership. 

Jersey Catholic sat down with Father Charles Pinyan, the Vicar for Clergy for the Archdiocese of Newark, to discuss the process. 

Since 1984, in accordance with the decree of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the term of a pastor is six years, according to the archdiocese’s Priest Personnel Policy Manual. Terms, however, can be, and many times are expanded, depending on the pastoral needs of the archdiocese and the parish.  

The age of the pastor, who may be approaching retirement, is also taken into consideration when reassignments are made or not made. 

Along with applying for a parochial position with a parish, priests can also apply for non-parochial positions (i.e., campus ministry, hospital ministry, high school chaplaincy, prison ministry.) Since parochial ministry is a focus of the diocesan priesthood and given the declining number of priests, non-parochial appointments are affected by the availability of clergy. 

Every year, the Vicar for the Clergy compiles a list of parishes that will be part of the transfer cycle, a list of open parish assignments, and priests on the transfer list. Priests seeking assignments then meet with the pastors of the open parishes in which he has an interest. The pastors can also contact any priest on the transfer list for an interview.   

Father Pinyan and his office oversee and consult on the priest reassignment process, with final decisions made by Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R, Archbishop of Newark. 

To see the priest reassignments in 2023, click here. 

JC: Why are priests reassigned after a certain period of time, while other pastors stay on for more extended periods? 

Father Pinyan: Pastors are appointed for a six-year term and are eligible to be re-appointed for a second term. For a variety of extenuating circumstances, this may be extended, or even an additional term granted. A six-year term gives the pastor time to get to deeply know his people and his community and establish both short-term and long-term goals in collaboration with his staff and parishioners. 

A parochial vicar does not have a term and stays as long as the Archbishop desires. Many factors influence this, including the priest’s growth and gaining of experience, the parish’s needs, and the needs of the archdiocese. 

JC: What are the factors that go into reassignments? 

Father Pinyan: Sometimes a priest requests or is asked to take a special assignment, such as a hospital or school chaplain. For parishes, the archbishop looks at the needs of the archdiocese, parishes, and the priest himself. It is important that a priest has, or is willing to learn, language and cultural skills particular to an assignment.  

JC: What is the process or standard for renewals within the same parish? 

Father Pinyan: If a pastor requests another term or an extension, the standard process is this: the Vicar for Clergy consults the regional bishop and dean, as well the directors of various archdiocesan offices, for their input on the pastor. Additionally, the Vicar for Clergy reaches out to the parish trustees and the chairs of the pastoral and finance councils. The Cardinal values the input from these lay leaders in reflecting on the priestly ministry and pastoral leadership of the pastor. The Vicar for Clergy brings all this input to the Episcopal Council (Cardinal, Vicar General, chief operating officer, regional bishops, and chancellor) for discussion and then the Cardinal makes his decision. 

JC: Do priests get to play a role in deciding their assignments? 

Father Pinyan: For pastors or administrators, when a pastorate is open, the Office of Clergy Personnel includes this announcement in the Tuesday Archdiocesan pastoral bulletin. The Priest Personnel Policy Board reviews all applications, as well as considers other priests who may be well-suited for the assignment. This board is chaired by the Vicar for Clergy and also includes the Secretary of Parish Mission and Vitality, the Director of Ongoing Formation of Clergy, and six priests elected by the priests of the Archdiocese. The Vicar for Clergy brings recommendations from this Board to the Episcopal Council. 

Generally, parochial vicars who are changing assignments are transferred July 1. Leading up to that, they are invited to meet with pastors of parishes that have asked for a parochial vicar in that transfer cycle. Pastors and parochial vicars then submit their top three preferences to the Vicar for Clergy, who then makes recommendations to the Cardinal. 

For specialized ministries, the Cardinal consults with the Vicar for Clergy and others to consider assigning a priest to specialized ministry. Sometimes it is because a priest has expressed an interest in it, and sometimes it is because he may be seen as a good fit for that role. 

As for missionary assignments, many of our priests belong to the Neocatechumenal Way movement and are specially trained for missionary work around the United States and globally. They may request a particular assignment or be asked to undertake this type of mission for a period of time but remain priests of the Newark Archdiocese. 

JC: How are the assignments of religious order priests decided? 

Father Pinyan: The Superior of a religious community makes a request to the Cardinal regarding the assignment of religious order priests in the archdiocese. 

JC: Do you have to be an Archdiocese of Newark priest to serve within the Archdiocese or can priests apply from outside the Archdiocese? If so, what is the process? 

Father Pinyan: Immigration laws and policies have made it difficult to employ priests who are not United States citizens in recent years, so this practice has been greatly curtailed. 

JC: What do your advice to parishes facing a transfer? 

Father Pinyan: It can be challenging for parishioners when a beloved priest is transferred, and it is quite the experience for the priest as well. But one way to look at it is to understand that the particular priest will now get to share his ministry with another community that may be in need.