Your run-of-the-mill Priest doesn't have to take a vow of poverty, no. They can if they want and some do, but in general no. That's generally for Monks and Franciscians and the like.
And let us pray that come it may (As come it will for a' that)
The Mod with the Migraine
Given the luxury that the pope and cardinals appear to take for granted, I'd say no.
That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
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Ah, interesting. If they do, who do they vow to, or before whom? And how is it enforced? With monks and nuns, their congregation will know rather exactly what they own, but with priests, there isn't really any control mechanism, right?
Priests make all vows to the relevant Bishop (depending on geography, whatever Order you may be joining, etc).
About property - diocesan priests (who aren't a member of an Order) can own whatever they want provided it doesn't break any other rules (so no hardcore BDSM gay midget porn mags). Religious priests (who join an Order) take a vow of Poverty which means that all of their material property is controlled by the will of their superior.
These vows are enforced by a Curia office called the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. How they go about doing that and how well that works is up for debate and lets just leave it at that.
It's worth remembering though that I'm not a practising Catholic and I'm only going on what I was taught in school.
edited 8th Aug '11 11:42:43 AM by TheBatPencil
And let us pray that come it may (As come it will for a' that)
Sure about the disclaimer, and thanks. It's weird that I never learned that stuff, even though I attended a catholic private school myself.
Anyway, thanks again, it's been good clarification.
Well, the Vatican also occasionally sends observers to essentially audit the orders - the last major one focused on women religious in the United States, complete with the usual reaction of most people to being audited.
It's weird that I'm posting this here, but the fact is that I will most probably get the fastest response that way...
So, members of orders take (at least) 3 vows - poverty, chastity, obedience. How about priests? Specifically, do they take a formal vow of poverty? The question came up elsewhere, and I wasn't able to quickly find a satisfying answer.