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The Catholic Church identifies five ecclesial vocations, three of which are ordained. Theologians and lay ecclesial ministers are not necessarily ordained, while bishops, presbyters, and deacons are ordained. While only the latter are considered clergy by the Catholic Church, all are considered ministers in the professional and vocational sense.
The ecclesial vocations serve the Church, while lay vocations are vocations by which the Church serves the world. Programs for the theological education and pastoral formation of laypersons, for the purpose in engaging in full-time and often lifelong ministry in the Church, have grown exponentially in the last four decades.
Vocational discernment is the process by which men and women in the Catholic Church discern, or recognize, their vocation in the church and the world. The vocations are the life of a layperson in the world, either married or single, the ordained life of bishops, priests, and deacons, and consecrated religious life .
The first deacons were ordained by the Apostles in Acts of the Apostles chapter 6. The ministry of the deacon in the Roman Catholic Church is described as one of service in three areas: the Word, the Liturgy and Charity. The deacon's ministry of the Word includes proclaiming the Gospel during the Mass, preaching and teaching.
Those whose vocation is to the brotherhood pursue studies which are suited to developing their talents and interests. The Society is conscious that some regard brothers as being lower than priests and, in response, it states: “Religious Brothers, by their life and ministry play a prophetic role in the Society and in the Church.
VISION Vocation Guide Archived 2008-07-03 at the Wayback Machine Information on Catholic priesthood and religious life Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis of Assisi, CFP at the Wayback Machine (archived 2006-10-23).
De facto precedence should be applied where, a non-ordained religious or lay ecclesial minister serves in an office equivalent listed below (e.g., a diocesan director of Catholic Education is an equal office to an episcopal vicar, a pastoral life director an equal office to pastor, though with respect to the principle of the hierarchy of order ...
Supervises other presbyters, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers serving in the parish. A deacon or lay ecclesial minister may serve in this role, but is given a different title (e.g., Pastoral Life Director, Pastoral Coordinator, etc.) Parochial Vicar A presbyter assigned to assist at a parish, under the authority of the pastor.