What is the difference between diocesan priests and religious order priests?
Diocesan priests are men who are ordained for the service of a particular diocese. They are directly subject to their local Bishops. They do not have a vow of poverty. They usually serve only within their particular dioceses. Religious order priests are men who are ordained for religious communities. They are directly subject to their religious superiors. Like all religious men and women, these priests takes vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They generally live in community with other religious priests and brothers. They can be transferred to serve in apostolates of their religious communities and are usually not restricted to serve in one diocese.
