​​​​​​​​Priest Personnel Board

All priests incardinated or ministering in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles are subject to the jurisdiction of the archbishop, who relies on the advice and counsel of a Priest Personnel Board on clergy personnel policies. The Priest Personnel Board:

• Advises and assists the vicar​​ for clergy​ in making recommendations to the archbishop concerning ministerial assignments​ for priests and transitional deacons, and their development as persons and ministers
  

• Advises the Office of the​ Vicar for Clergy​ and the archbishop, when requested, in developing policies and procedures concerning priestly life and ministry
  

The Priest Personnel Board consists of the following persons:

• One dean from each pastoral​​ region of the archdiocese, selected by the archbishop after a nomination ballot process among the priests of the appropriate pastoral region
  

• Three priests representing different lengths of service groups in the priesthood who are incardinated non-pastors with archdiocesan appointments, selected by the archbishop after a nomination ballot process among the priests of the appropriate service groups
  

• Two non-priest members appointed by the archbishop, one of whom represents the Department of Catholic Schools
  

• One additional member appointed by the archbishop at his discretion
  

• One auxiliary bishop
  

• The vicar for clergy and associate vicar for clergy, as ex officio non-voting members ​
  

The term of office for Priest Personnel Board members is ordinarily for five years. Each member's term is staggered so as not to expire at the same time.

General Guidelines for the Process of Priestly Assignments

The Priest Personnel Board will normally be consulted by the archbishop and the vicars for clergy on priestly assignments and will be provided with background information necessary to make proper decisions, respecting always the right of the archbishop to also make interim and other appointments without consulting the Priest Personnel Board, as he deems appropriate.
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In making recommendations to the archbishop for assignments, the Priest Personnel Board will consider the particular circumstances of parishes in the archdiocese, the priest's abilities to meet those needs, and the priest's ministerial experience.  

The Priest Personnel Board seeks the advice and input from the regional bishops, as well as from other qualified priests and lay leaders, to understand and respond to the needs of the parish and the priest. The appropriate dean and/or other members of the Priest Personnel Board, or the vicar for clergy, visit parishes when the pastoral leadership is scheduled for change and meet with staff and representative lay parishioners and leaders to understand the needs and priorities of the parish and its ministries. A report of the visit is prepared and submitted to the Priest Personnel Board. The Priest Personnel Board maintains strict professional confidentiality. Administrative support to the Priest Personnel Board is provided by the Office ​​​​of the Vicar for Clergy​.