It is my understanding that whether or not an explicit vow of poverty is taken depends on the order. I agree that diocesan priests don't have to take an explicit vow of poverty. I don't think people expected priests to live like peons (myself included) but I do think that living an openly opulent lifestyle while a large portion of your congregation is struggling to even eat goes counter to their Christian mission. (IMO) Refering to the Canon Law: Referring to:Section I: Institutes of Consecrated Life Title I: Norms Common To All Institutes Of Consecrated Life (Cann. 573 - 606) Can 573 §2. The Christian faithful freely assume this form of living in institutes of consecrated life canonically erected by competent authority of the Church. Through vows or other sacred bonds according to the proper laws of the institutes, they profess the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience and, through the charity to which the counsels lead, are joined in a special way to the Church and its mystery. My use of the word "vow" was technically incorrect. Whether or not one believes in such behavior as a tenet is another matter. Joann frances heidel wrote: > Diocesan priests don't take a vow of poverty....only order > priests....right or wrong? Frances Heidel > On Mar 1, 2010, at 8:45 PM, Joann Taylor wrote: > >