Bishop's Columns

Priest assignment changes, retirements

The Catholic Moment, May 17, 2026
 
“God raised up Jesus … He commissioned us to preach to the people and bear witness that he is the one set apart by God as judge of the living and the dead.”
- Acts 10:40, 42

Priests assignments and retirements are best viewed in light of our commissioning — more to the point, in light of him who sends us out into the vineyard of our diocese with the help of the Holy Spirit. If we have a loose grip on the fact that Jesus Christ is the true pastor to whom we are loyal in worship, and whom we love above all, priest assignment changes will always be difficult.
 
Assignments change in order to give newly ordained priests a good place to land and learn. To give a sequence of ministries that build expertise. Vacancies due to ill health, retirements or unexpected deaths also affect the timing and location of priest assignments.
 
I am assisted by a committee of priests and laypeople in these matters. The final decisions for assignments are mine. Certainly, the needs of parishioners are considered, as are those of parish staff. The roles of pastor and parochial vicar are different and, over time, may not be permanent for a given priest.
 
Recently I spoke with the archbishop of Las Vegas, Nevada. His diocese has 38 priests for 1.2 million Catholics. His largest parish is 40,000 people. We have about 68 priests for 140,000. 
 
What we are experiencing is not a shortage of priests but an unequal deployment. Five years ago, we had to reckon with the fact that some of our priests were ministering to 3,500 people each. Whole parishes in other parts of our dioceses had 500 registered souls. Our largest parish has more parishioners than the total number of Catholics in our nine northern counties. The larger parishes also have many more hospitals and nursing homes nearby. One large parish brings sacraments to a dozen nursing homes. A few parishes also minister to state prisons and a detention center. Dividing the workloads more equitably is not a perfect science.
 
I pray that our parishioners will unite behind and support their pastors. Unity is a Gospel mandate. In Church law, our pastors are the bishop’s delegates, his presence in each parish. Their roles are sacred — and not always easy. When someone asks about the difference between a pastor and an assistant/vicar, the in-house answer is: “The pastor is the one who has to say ‘no.’” Decision-making, even with parish council consultation, is a reality. Local governance is both an art and an execution of published diocesan policy. Some of my more difficult days happen when parishioners resist the directives of Canon Law and diocesan policy. Thankfully, these difficulties are relatively rare.
 
Pray for — no, pray with — your priests in the bond of Christ’s love, in the bond we share with the Good Shepherd. This is always the thought in our priests’ hearts. May that bond be the first thing we think of when we gather for worship. And when we meet to talk about leaking roofs, parish picnics, or Mass schedules.

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More Columns from 2026

• Priest assignment changes, retirements (May 17, 2026) [text]
• Not as the world gives peace (April 19, 2026) [text]
• Easter brings hope, compassion and forgiveness to all (April 5, 2026) [text]
• Living faith and citizenship: a forever challenge (March 22, 2026) [text]
• Making Space for Christ in the Digital Age (March 8, 2026) [text]
• This Lent, pay attention to the Psalms (February 22, 2026) [text]
• Catholic schools teach of God's love, gives Christians joyful assurance of faith (February 8, 2026) [text]
• Exploring the complex truth about hope (January 25, 2026) [text]