Several people have said to me recently, “Priests do
not retire.” I cannot speak justly for
diocesan priests, because I am not one, but for my part, I think that parish
priests can and do retire, and in many cases, deservedly so. I am happy for a retiring diocesan priest who
served his parishioners for years, who proclaimed Christ faithfully in word and
deed, who truly dedicated himself to “the care of souls,” that is, to the
spiritual well-being of his parishioners.
Such priests—and bishops—deserve to retire, and to continue to serve
in a pastoral role if and when they wish to do so. Such service is optional after retirement,
and how much one does, and the kinds of work, would depend on the individual
priest’s willingness, interests, and health.
That they continue assisting with some pastoral duties is not required,
but their own personal choice—with the permission of the local bishop,
of course.
But I
am not a diocesan priest, but a Benedictine monk, who was selected for
ordination to the priesthood by my Abbot to serve our monastic community and,
at times, to assist others who are linked to our monastery. A Benedictine monastic, male or female, has
one primary goal: to seek God with all
of one’s resources, with the grace of God, until death. The work of seeking God does not end, and
from this task, one does not retire.
For those monks who are also ordained as priests, there is always a
tension, if not a contradiction, between the life of a monk and active priestly
ministry. Normally, the monk seeks God
within the walls of the monastery. With
my Abbot’s permission, I temporarily served as a Navy Chaplain with Marines and
Sailors during the Gulf War because of emergency need. Later he asked me to assist in a parish a few
miles from our monastery. Then with his
permission, I served as a parish priest in the Midwest, and in 2009 I returned
to serve temporarily in parishes in my home state of Montana. I serve here only with the permission of my
Abbot, to whom I belong as a monk, and with the permission of Bishop
Michael. Whether or not a bishop permits
me to function as a priest in his diocese after retirement is his decision.
As of
early this year my Abbot granted me permission to remain living outside of the
monastic walls, at least “for the duration.”
He has the authority to call me back to St. Anselm’s Abbey at any time,
and for any reason. As I retire from
active pastoral duty, my monastic calling and vows must return to the
fore: to give my energies to seeking the
presence of the living God. This search
requires many hours of solitude, profound peace, contemplative prayer, and
nourishing study. Having been formed as
a Benedictine monk of St. Anselm’s Abbey (Washington, DC), and having lived the
life for years in our monastery, I have a good sense of what is required of
me. It will necessitate making
considerable changes as I retire from active ministry on 1 July: it will take time and prayer for me to
know how best to live as a faithful Benedictine monk.
To
help me adjust to returning to the life of a Benedictine, I will in effect be taking
a sabbatical, and not be available for pastoral substitute work at least
for some time. I must also limit social
invitations, as befits a more contemplative lifestyle. The best way to contact me, should you wish
to do so, is by email. My iPhone will be
turned off much of the time, as required for silence. Furthermore, I have planned day trips to
areas in Montana in the summer months to exercise my dogs and me, and to see
more of beautiful Montana then active life has permitted. I will also spend time with my brother in
Utah, make a quiet retreat on the Oregon coast in the fall, and then visit my
sister and her husband in San Diego over the Christmas holidays. I have not seen my family for several
years.
As
several of you have truly said, I will need to be retired for a while to
learn how to handle the changes well. Having
worked full time since my student days, and having been busy serving in active
priestly ministry since 1991, retirement will require major adjustments, as it
does for everyone. Some folks have asked
if I will be “bored.” My response
is: “Are you serious? I have many interests and hobbies.” More fundamentally, retirement permits one to
strive for peace in solitude and silence, as befits a Benedictine. In truth, retirement is a graced time for
anyone to seek God; that is our human calling. Furthermore, writing would be a more suitable
way to continue ministering to the faithful, as it requires solitude. The LORD will guide me to assist in pastoral
duties, such as funerals, at the right time, if it is appropriate to do
so. In all things, peace: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Know that you will be with me in my heart and
prayer. I will treasure the years we
have spent together in this passing light.
—Fr. Wm. Paul McKane, OSB (Benedictine monk of St. Anselm’s Abbey)
