Bishops face hurdles over priests’ demands

(November 27, 2010) Bishops in a central Indian state say they have practical difficulties in meeting their priests’ demand for standardized transfer and remuneration. Standardized packages posed problems as resources vary from diocese to diocese, said Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, chairperson of the Council of Bishops of Madhya Pradesh. But the prelate told UCA News he would address the issue. “We take care of every just demand of our priests,” he said, adding that priests and bishops are “equal partners in the mission of spreading the world of God.” “It is the duty of the diocese to take care of its priests and no bishop will shy away from discharging their duties for the interests of the Church,” said Archbishop Cornelio, who heads the Church in the state. He said he would soon meet the priests’ representatives to try to resolve misunderstandings and restore confidence. A week earlier, the regional conference of the diocesan priests reiterated their demands which they said were legitimate. They expressed shock and disappointment that the bishops had ignored them. The priests first met in the first week of August to seek a uniform policy on transfer of priests, their maintenance allowance and other benefits. Bishop Chacko Thottumarickal of Indore, secretary of the bishops’ council, also said the priests’ demands are “impractical.” It is not proper to compare dioceses as each has different needs and capabilities. He added that a priest’s service cannot be treated as a job with standardized remuneration and fixed tenure. “Priesthood is a committed service for the people,” he said.