What is the difference between a religious brother and a priest?
A religious brother or priest commits himself to Christ by the vows of chasitity, poverty, and obedience, to live as a member of a religious community and to serve in the community mission through its charism. Brothers are part of the laity who are called to witness to the Reign of God in which all live as brothers and sisters (Mt. 22:30). Brothers serve in the same areas that are open to lay people (teacher, lawyer, social worker, carpenter, etc.) Diocesan priests make a vow of obedience to the bishop. At diaconate ordination, they freely make a promise of celibacy, for life. Diocesan priests ordinarily serve the local church within the diocese for which they are ordained. Priests, religious or diocesan, are ordained to minister in the person of Christ as preacher and teacher, as minister of the sacraments, as provider for the poor, and to serve the needs of the community of faith.
