Why are some Catholic priests called “pastors”?

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Priests are often called “parish priests” to designate their role as shepherds in a local parish.

In the Catholic Church, many priests are called “pastors”, although not all priests have this official title.

The title is mainly used to denote priests who run a local parish and are appointed by the bishop.

The Catholic Encyclopedia gives a brief explanation of the duties of a pastor.

They must preach and watch over the religious instruction of the faithfulespecially young people, provide for their spiritual needs through the administration of the sacraments, reside in their parish or mission, diligently administer the goods entrusted to them, watch over the moral conduct of their parishioners, and move away, to the extent of the possible, all obstacles to their salvation.

When the parish is too large for a single parish priest, he is usually assisted in his duties by other priests.

The title of “pastor” is in fact the latin word that means “shepherd. “

Good shepherd

The title of pastor is a direct reference to the fact that all priests are called to imitate Jesus, the Good shepherd.

Pope Benedict XVI underlined this in a homily for the ordination of priests on Good Shepherd Sunday in 2006.

Jesus now proclaims that this time has come: he himself is the Good shepherd by whom God himself takes care of his creature, man, gathering human beings and leading them to the true pasture.

Saint Peter, whom the Risen Lord commissioned to keep his sheep, to become a shepherd with him and for him, described Jesus as the “archipoimen” – the “chief of the shepherds” (cf. IP 5, 4), and by there it means that it is only possible to be a pastor of the flock of Jesus Christ through him and in very close communion with him.

Being a pastor in the Catholic Church is a heavy task, which requires a close relationship with Jesus in order to guide his “sheep” to eternal life.

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