Canon 538§3 - Cessation
of Office of Pastor

When a pastor has completed his seventy-fifth year of age he is asked to submit his resignation from office to the diocesan bishop, who, after considering the circumstances of person and place, is to decide whether to accept or defer the resignation; the diocesan bishop, taking into account the norms determined by the conference of bishops, is to provide for the suitable support and housing of the resigned pastor.

Complementary Norm: In accord with the prescriptions of canon 538§3, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops authorizes diocesan bishops to develop diocesan policy for the retirement of priests in accord with the provisions of Norms for Priests and Their Third Age.

Approved: General Meeting, November 1987

Reviewed: Holy See (Congregation for Clergy), Letter from Apostolic Pro-Nuncio (Prot. No. 5465/87/4) January 19, 1988

Promulgated: Norms for Priests and Their Third Age, February 23, 1988