His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the necessity for the priest to be detached from love of money and to regard the priesthood as a service and stewardship, not a means for luxury or financial accumulation.

Asceticism and not loving money

• The priest should be ascetic, far from luxury, not representing an aristocratic class among people, but close to the poor.

• Christ and the apostles were poor as an example to follow; it is not proper for the priest to appear arrogant or boastful about his wealth.

Limits on financial collection and fees

• It is not permissible for taking money to accompany every prayer or visit; sacraments and visits must not become bribes or commerce.

• Donations are accepted but should not be given as a direct payment for the service on the same occasion; it is better to organize acceptance of money and its timings.

Church money as stewardship and management

• The church’s money is not the priest’s property but belongs to the Lord and should be managed for the church’s service, the poor, and the place’s needs.

• The priest’s private funds must be separated from the church’s funds, with transparency in financial dealings through councils and organization.

Displays of ostentation and equality

• Displays of extravagance (many chandeliers, processions, paid displays of prestige) create division between rich and poor and harm the church.

• It is preferable to respect financial capacity: the rite of the rich differs from the rite of the poor, and services should not be provided solely according to financial ability.

Distribution to the poor and essential services

• A large portion of incoming funds should be spent on the poor and on the church’s essential expenses (lighting, electricity, cleaning, salaries).

• The ascetic priest who spends on the poor gains donors’ trust and becomes a worthy steward of their funds.

The priest’s spiritual and practical stance

• The priesthood is a stewardship and responsibility; the priest must be an honest agent, not a merchant, and seek to be filled with the Spirit so he transmits God’s blessings rather than claiming ownership.

• Whoever treats priesthood as trade diminishes the value of the service and turns it into accounts and demands, whereas the true shepherd cares for people’s salvation and pastoral needs.

For better translation support, please contact the center.