Examination of Conscience for Clergy

“It behoveth therefore a bishop to be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, of good behaviour, chaste, given to hospitality, a teacher.” (1 Tim. iii. 2.)

“Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. * * * Be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober.”—(2 Tim. iv. 2, 5.)

“Deacons in like manner, chaste, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre.” (1 Tim. iii. 8.)

In addition to observing the Commandments of God and Precepts of the Church, whilst avoiding the commission of all mortal sin, which would profane but not invalidate his administration of the Sacraments, a cleric is bound fully to discharge all his duties, to edify and instruct the laity by example, word and act, whilst he should ever aspire to perfection, and seek the salvation of others.

All those who are ordained subdeacons, or who assume a higher grade of holy orders, are bound to observe celibacy, and a life of great purity and perfection; they are obliged to recite the Divine Office daily, correctly, with attention and devotion, according to the rubrics prescribing the manner, time, place, and situation required, when lawful necessity does not exempt from these special observances; they should ordinarily wear the clerical dress usual in the country to which they belong; and whilst engaged in the celebration of Mass or other public ceremonies, they should always assume their proper vestments and in a manner prescribed by the ritual. In general, clerics are prohibited to engage in any pursuit unworthy of or incompatible with the exercise of their sacred ministry; nor can they even publicly profess or exercise the medical or surgical profession, except in case of necessity; neither can they become judges in cases where loss of life may be concerned; nor can they become advocates, notaries, or patrons in secular causes; nor can they wage war or go out armed, except in a case of necessity; neither should they frequent taverns, low houses of entertainment, or other disreputable places. They are obliged by the canons to abstain from dice, or other kinds of play, when chance more than skill directs the result; they should not play for large stakes or for the sake of gain; they must abstain from hunting, when of a public and very exciting or dangerous description; they should not engage in merchandize or traffic, as a general rule.

The special obligations of bishops are, to fulfil all duties appertaining to the good direction and salvation of souls; to set a good and perfect example to the clergy and laity over whom they rule; to offer up the Holy Sacrifice, administer the necessary sacraments, and preach God's word to their flock; to reside near their cathedral churches or in their dioceses, unless when just reasons require their absence; to have a paternal care of the poor and distressed; to discharge all the obligations of good pastors, in giving religious and prudent advice and admonition to clergy and laity, in ordaining or promoting only those distinguished by their virtues, abilities and merits, in taking care that all their subjects fulfil duties and trusts committed to them, with prudent and pious exactness, in restraining the vices of wicked persons, in correcting abuses, in holding diocesan synods, visitations, confirmations, church dedications or consecrations, &c. when requisite.

Pastors are required to reside constantly within their parishes and near their parish churches, if possible; and those who act for pastors or as missionaries, ought conform to the same rule. Parish priests, or those having cure of souls, are obliged to apply the holy sacrifice of the Mass for and preach to their parishioners every Sunday or holy day of obligation; or if lawfully prevented, they should take care to have such obligations discharged by suitable persons. On these days at least, they must take care to have the young or ignorant amongst their flock instructed in the rudiments of Christian Faith, and in their special duties. Diligence and zeal in duly administering the Sacraments, and in visiting the sick, are required as chief duties from those having care of souls. Parochial scandals or vices must be denounced and prudently put down; but it would be injudicious and improper, for the most part, to denounce any individual by name or in pointed allusions. A pastor should assist the deserving poor, sick and unfortunate amongst his parishioners, to the just extent of his own means and the occasion, or by engaging the aid of pious and wealthy persons in their behalf. Pastors should also endeavour to erect suitable churches, religious establishments, and schools, when required, or to keep those already existing in good repair, whilst providing everything requisite for the decency and solemnity of religious worship. They should teach their people habits of order, industry, morality, and religion, by word and example.

Chaplains or other priests charged with certain special duties or benefices are strictly obliged to fulfil all just and necessary obligations imposed on them or annexed to that position which they hold.

Have I, from the time I have been admitted to holy orders, taken care to remain chaste and pure in the sight of God and man?

Have I taken care actively, piously, and zealously, to discharge the functions of my sacred ministry?

Have I devoted a sufficient time each day to the duty of prayer, meditation, the study of Dogmatic or Moral Theology, the Ritual, the Sacred Scriptures, the Canon Law?

Have I taken care to be versed in a knowledge of what would be required to refute errors or heresies, which have a hold of the public mind, or which are often discussed in society?

Do I prepare my sermons or instructions with sufficient care and study, so as to preach God's word with dignity and effect?

Do I avoid ignorant, imprudent, or intemperate remarks in sermons and conversation?

Have I failed in the obedience and reverence due to my bishop, especially in those matters which appertain to good morals and ecclesiastical discipline?

Have I conformed exactly to diocesan statutes and regulations?

Have I treated episcopal admonitions with neglect or disrespect?

Do I reluctantly assume onerous or distasteful ministerial duties, when imposed on me?

Have I, as the Council of Trent requires, conformed my life and morals to the holy state to which I am called?

Have I in habit, gesture, motion, discourse, or in any other way exhibited manners disedifying, undignified, light, or not conformable to my sacred profession?

Have I endeavoured to avoid deliberate venial sins, which would be more culpable in the life of a cleric than in that of a lay person, and which would tend to lessen the respect of others for my sacred ministrations?

Do I scrupulously adhere to all Ritual prescriptions and ceremonies in the administration of sacraments, and especially in celebrating the divine mysteries?

Do I neglect, when possible, the practice of approaching confession weekly, at least, or more frequently, if occasion require?

Have I, from the time of my assuming tonsureship, conformed to the custom and habit of dress peculiar to my ecclesiastical state, and to the province in which I reside?

Have I correctly, devoutly, and attentively, recited the Divine Office daily, after being bound thereto, when not lawfully excused, or when no unforeseen or grave impediment need prevent me?

Have I endeavoured fully to comply with its rubrical prescriptions, as to manner, time, place, litanies sometimes added, and particulars required, when I can conveniently and faithfully observe them?

Have I wilfully neglected any considerable part of my office, such as one of the small hours, which, in the opinion of all theologians, would constitute a mortal sin?

Have I habitually recited Matins and Lauds, as prescribed, before the celebration of mass?

Have I unnecessarily interrupted portions of the sacred office which should be completed without division?

Have I been assiduous, when required, in affording facilities to my people for approaching the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion?

Have I been humble, patient, considerate, and prudent in the tribunal of penance?

Have I taken exact care to understand the extent of my jurisdiction or faculties?

Have I been careful to superintend or instruct children in the schools or catechism-classes?

Have I been careful to visit and properly administer sacraments to the sick or dying?

Have I taken care to understand well the nature of justice and contracts, so that no false decision be made in the sacred tribunal?

Have I promoted practices of piety?

Have I taken prudent counsel before engaging in any important undertaking?

Have I always felt an interest in judiciously promoting the spiritual and material welfare of my people?

Have I practised or engaged in any profession, trade, or occupation, incompatible with the clerical state?

Have I imprudently engaged in public trusts, politics, and business, which tend to excite the mind unduly, and to withdraw it from religious practices?

Have I incurred irregularity, through defect or crime?

Have I associated with or engaged in the society of irreligious men or immoral persons?

Have I, through human respect, tolerated great faults or abuses, or have I endeavoured by prudent and effective measures to remove them?

Have I, without ministerial necessity or duty, been in public or disreputable houses or places?

Have I encouraged or indulged in gambling or unbecoming amusement?

Have I been kind and charitable to the deserving poor?

Have I exercised the duties of my ministry through pure motives?

Have I attended well to the special duties of my charge or benefice? ¹

1. See note p. 75.