I heard a rumor that Catholic Priests recieve 80,000 a year in wages? Is this correct?

Question

If so, what would they do with all of this money? And no tacky comments please.

Answer 1

i don't think that's right. all the Catholic priests I know live humble lives. if it is true i bet most of the money goes out to the Catholic missions around the world. I've never seen a Catholic priest keep a huge amount of money like that for himself.

Answer 2

They get about 100-300 dollars a week, depending on the cost-of-living index in their area....

EDIT: Thank you for asking...most people on here don't think twice about spreading rumors...it shows you have good character...plus, it's good to know there are people out there that still have a conscience....

Answer 3

Not true. I am on the Parish Council and our Priest doesn't make that. I know of NO Priest that makes that.

Answer 4

Who told you that? Catholic Priests take a vow of poverty. They get a Presbytery (i.e. a house), and an allowance that covers their basic needs. Anything else they have to use (e.g. a car to do their Pastoral visits) is owned by the Church.

Answer 5

No, that is not correct. Priests make a very modest salary.

According to the National Federation of Priests' Council (NFPC), in 2002 diocesan priests made between $15,291 and $18,478 per year. In addition to their salary, diocesan priests receive benefits that may include a car allowance, room and board in a parish rectory, health insurance, and a retirement plan. Diocesan priests who teach typically make an income from teaching that is less than what a lay person would earn in the same position.

ADDED: Elwood Blues - diocesan priests do not take a "vow of poverty" only those who enter religious orders do.

Answer 6

What they make depends on multiple factors: what order of priest they are (Franciscan, Jesuit, Diocesan,  Dominican, Paulist, etc.), what their congregation/diocese earns and spends, their career (remember there are priest that are teachers, doctors, lobbyists, and many other ordinary professions), and their needs among other factors.  Most priests take a vow of poverty or simplicity.  This does not mean that they are starving, but that they try to not spend more than what they need.  It also depends if the priest lives in community as much of their money will go to the community and not to the priest himself.  If the priest lives alone, most of their money still goes to their order, however, they would be allowed a larger living stipend.

In short, it is probably impossible to give you an average figure, however even if a priest is making $80,000 that money does not just go to support him.  It is given to more priests to support them, the community of  the priest's order, projects the order is working on, educating other priests, etc.

Answer 7

You can tell the high school types by how they react to that number, eh?   Heck even if that's EU or GBP it's not going to buy a whole lot of tailor made suits and flashy cars.  If it's USD it's not going to do much at all to generate an exorbitant lifestyle.

That said though nop the number is too high.  In pure salary 15-25K USD seems to be the normal range from data I have seen, but you have to remember housing allowances etc are on top of this and the salary is "spending money".

Contrary to the poster above, poverty is NOT in the vows of a diocesan priest, and only in SOME of the monastic orders' vows/

Answer 8

A) There are two types of priest, diocesan and those belonging to religious orders.

B) Priests who belong to a religious order receive NO salary for their work. They are supported by their order. They DO, sometimes, receive a small stipend, depending upon the Rule of their Order.

C) Diocesan priests receive housing, a clothing allowance, a food allowance (now you know why they are always accepting dinner invitations), and their utility bills are covered by the parish they serve. They DO receive a salary, but any decent secretary gets more. The salary is subject to the same tax laws as anyone else's. And they are expected to spend a portion of it on charities.

Answer 9

As much as I don't like the Catholic faith, I can say that I don't believe that.  They don't come to the cathedrals dressed in tailor made suits driving flashy cars.  If they do make that kind of money, they probably give it right back to the church.

Answer 10

Incorrect, most receive a small allowance for cigarettes and necessary clothing

Answer 11

80K is not so much for someone with a college degree.

ADD: wow!  lot's of hostility for someone being successful through hard-work, eh?

Answer 12

No idea.  However, any kind of money they make, they probably go to Tijuana and blow it on booze, cigars and boy prostitutes

Answer 13

imagine how much the Pope has ......

Answer 14

This might give you an idea of how much a priest normally makes.  It's not much when you think about it.  Priests in poorer parishes make even less money.

CATHOLIC PRIEST Archdiocese of Chicago $33,418 Melrose Park, IL (05/2006) >>

CATHOLIC PRIEST ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO $27,185 CHICAGO, IL (04/2005) >>

Catholic Priest Archdiocese of Chicago $26,580 Wauconda, IL (03/2004) >>

Catholic Priest Archdiocese of Chicago $26,080 Wauconda, IL (03/2004) >>

CATHOLIC PRIEST ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO $24,670 CHICAGO, IL (04/2005) >>

CATHOLIC PRIEST ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO $24,428 CHICAGO, IL (10/2005) >>

CATHOLIC PRIEST ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO $24,091 CHICAGO, IL (01/2005) >>

Catholic Priest Archdiocese of Chicago $24,000 Bridgeview, IL (06/2005) >>

Catholic Priest Archdiocese of Chicago $23,234 Glenview, IL (08/2005) >>

Catholic Priest Archdiocese of Chicago $23,160 Chicago, IL (05/2002) >>

Catholic Priest Archdiocese of Chicago $23,160 Chicago, IL (05/2002) >>

Catholic Priest Archdiocese of Chicago $23,160 Chicago, IL (05/2002) >>

Catholic Priest Archdiocese of Chicago $23,160 Bridgeview, IL (06/2002) >>

CATHOLIC PRIEST ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO $21,990 CHICAGO, IL (12/2004) >>

Catholic Priest Archdiocese of Chicago $21,975 Chicago, IL (07/2004) >>

Catholic Priest Archdiocese of Chicago $20,986 Cicero, IL (12/2003) >>