Folia Canonica 12. (2009)
STUDIES - Péter Artner: The remuneration of diocesan clerics
THE REMUNERATION OF DIOCESAN CLERICS 15 conditions of different parts of the country. A notable difference can be in the economic conditions of urban and rural parishes, industrial and agricultural territories; predominantly catholic and predominandy non-catholic regions; in cultural or social differences. The diverse circumstances between countries and even regions in the same country, or even in the same diocese, make it impossible to give a fixed amount for all clerics everywhere.46 An amount that in one country or region allows an almost luxurious life could be hardly more than enough for a bare subsistence in another territory. The financial status of the parish determines the prevailing standard of living for the Catholics whom the pastor serves. The cleric should receive an income sufficient to enable him to live with fitting dignity in conformity with the general economic conditions of his community as well as the obligations to which he is subject.47 6.3. Necessities of Life Not only the conditions of time and place may vary, also the necessities of life depend on the person’s situation. When the remuneration is determined, it has to make allowances to the cleric’s personal necessities.48 The necessities can depend on the health of the cleric, on his office or local circumstances. In several cases the cleric not only has to maintain himself, but his near relatives, which is the cleric’s duty. The remuneration should be enough to cover the obligations which priests may have towards their parents or other family members dependent on them.49 The decision of the Apostolic See certainly confirmed the right of the parents, if they are in need, to be supported, by their son, a priest, as well as sisters and brothers and grandparents. The Church also indicates its attitude towards the support of parents by clerics in its legislation. In case of a religious, a candidate is not permitted to enter the novitiate if his parents are dependent; and if his parents become dependent after he has taken a vow of poverty, he may receive money and send it to his parents without violating the vow of poverty.50 46 Hannah, Alms, 294. 47 Hannah, The Canonical, 124. “J.-P. Schouppe, Elementi di diritto patrimoniale canonico (Trattati di diritto 4), Milanol997, 128. "John Paul II., ep. La Sede Apostolira, n. 4., 20 XI. 1982, in AAS 75 (1983) 119-125, esp. 50 Hannah, The Canonical, 113. 122.
