The priest is a person of faith and prayer who has responded to God's call to service and leadership in the Church.  The priest is ordained to be a sacrament within the Church. This means that the priest makes present and visible the leadership which Christ gives the Church.   He does this by ordering and guiding the Church community and its ministries, proclaiming the Word of God and leading the community in worship, and sending the members of the community forth in mission.  Diocesan priests promise obedience to their bishop since their ministry is really an extension of his own, and they also live a life of celibacy.

In addition to diocesan priests, there are others who are members of religious communities. These religious order priests take vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience.  Through living in community with other priest or brother members of their order, these men derive strength and support to meet the needs of the Church.