From Altar to Office
The parish priest stands at the crossroads of two inseparable dimensions of ecclesial life: the altar, where he sanctifies God’s people, and the office, where he governs, shepherds, and administers the community entrusted to him.
Both responsibilities flow from the pastoral charity that defines priestly ministry (cf. Pastores Dabo Vobis, 23). The faithful look to their pastor not only for sound preaching and reverent liturgy, but also for wise stewardship, transparent governance, and the capacity to build a parish culture rooted in communion.
In every age, the Church has called priests to unite spiritual leadership with responsible administration. This handbook seeks to support that call by articulating a coherent and practical framework for the daily governance of parish life—always in harmony with the mission of evangelization, ecclesiastical duties, and diocesan policies.