Explore: Priests (clergy)

the term secular clergy refers to deacons and priests who are not monastics or otherwise members of religious life. Secular priests (sometimes known as

415,792 Catholic priests worldwide, including both diocesan priests and priests in the religious orders. A priest of the regular clergy is commonly addressed

married men can be ordained as deacons and priests. This practice has long been considered legitimate; these priests exercise a fruitful ministry within their

more priests, although one priest may be responsible for several parishes. New clergy are first ordained as deacons. Those seeking to become priests are

Lutherans are eligible to become clergy. Within the lands of the Eastern Christendom, priests' children often became priests and married within their social

excommunication upon any clergy who took the oath. The clergy split into juring priests (those who took the oath) and non-juring or refractory priests (those who refused)

for overseeing matters regarding priests and deacons not belonging to religious orders. The Congregation for the Clergy handles requests for dispensation

England has permitted transgender priests to serve since 2000. The Church of England has also allowed gay and lesbian priests in civil partnerships since 2005

The clergy–penitent privilege, clergy privilege, confessional privilege, priest–penitent privilege, pastor–penitent privilege, clergyman–communicant privilege

Constitution of the Clergy made bishops and priests elected.[page needed] By having members of the clergy elected, those clergy within who accepted the