Skip to main contentAccessibility feedback
Background Image

How Old is Too Old to Become Clergy

Question:

Is there an age limit for becoming a priest or deacon?

Answer:

While canon law does not set an age limit, individual dioceses may have their own age limits. However, this would mostly apply to the priesthood.

The reason for this is that a man is ordained to be a priest or deacon to be of service to the Church. The older a man is, the fewer years he would most likely have to be of service. It would make little sense for a diocese to spend six to nine years of time and resources to ordain someone for just a few years of service. Dioceses are also responsible to care for their priests, and it would be difficult for a diocese to care for a large number of elderly or infirm priests.

Deacons, on the other hand, are usually expected to be self-sufficient financially and in terms of their care. For them, the essential question is whether the years of preparation and formation would be lived out in years of useful ministry to the diocese.

Did you like this content? Please help keep us ad-free
Enjoying this content?  Please support our mission!Donatewww.catholic.com/support-us