Priesthood Status

What is Emeritus and what does it mean for ministry?

Emeritus

The emeritus category (what was previously superannuation) recognizes and honours long and faithful service curtailed by health or age-related conditions.

Emeritus status releases a priesthood member from many of the responsibilities and expectations of sacramental ministry, public ministry and maintaining their priesthood requirements. However, a priesthood member emeritus occasionally may participate in public or sacramental ministry with prior approval of the supervising minister.

A priesthood member emeritus retains his or her priesthood certificate. When taking an emeritus status, nothing changes with membership or discipleship, and ministry by the individual can still be provide in many way (just not in the same sacramental ways), just as all member can provide ministry.

This category is requested, in writing by the priesthood member and approved by the supervising officer.

This could be as simple as “I would like to be moved into the emeritus category for my priesthood office of …., due to health reasons. Signed ‘priesthood member” and shared with the pastor of the congregation that one belongs to, or the mission center president (if in the Australian General membership). The pastor would then share this with the MCP for processing.