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Child Item

Christening & how much to priest

mozattack

Hi All,

Christening for little son on Sunday and I don't know how much we 'have to' pay the priest. We are not regular church goers are anything and things are tight.

I am hearing €100 but also heard €200... is it really that high*

*(i know it is voluntary but there are certain expectations which we would probably have to honour)

Thanks!!

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Smiley Burnett

if you ask a priest to do a job like a wedding or a christening then you should pay him accordingly!! I'm sure you wouldnt work for free, and I'm certainly sure you wouldnt decide on how much to pay a plumber/carpenter etc on the basis of their circumstances at home!!

You ask someone to do a job, then you pay them!! end of story!

snuggles09

I'm confused..does his job not entail weddings, christenings, funerals, confirmations etc? why does a priest have to be paid for a christening yet we dont have to pay him to confirm our children or when they make their communion? The "few pound" is better in my pocket than his seeing as I don't have a maid, free house, car and have children and a house to run..not everyone is my way of thinking i know but i don't see why should pay a priest for doing his job..do we all throw 50 euro in a card everytime he says a mass? no! whats the difference?

deise red

As someone previously said give what you are comfortable with I gave €50 when my son was christened 2 years ago

Smiley Burnett

johnnyjb wrote: »

I thought priest took a vow of "poverty" :rolleyes:or is that an old wifes tale.
Cars,housing ,food,maids etc... is what is classed as poverty theses days, we really had a boom / celtic tiger if thats the case

I wonder would they try stop (secretly) performing them if they knew there be no bobs in the hand

secular priests dont take a vow of poverty, whilst those belonging to a particular orer do.

johnnyjb

Smiley Burnett wrote: »

would you ask a plumber or carpenter to do a job for free??
when a priest is asked by somebody to take time to perform a ceremony such as a wedding or a christening, then you shouldnt begrudge the priest a few pound!

I thought priest took a vow of "poverty" :rolleyes:or is that an old wifes tale.
Cars,housing ,food,maids etc... is what is classed as poverty theses days, we really had a boom / celtic tiger if thats the case

I wonder would they try stop (secretly) performing them if they knew there be no bobs in the hand

deisemum

snuggles09 wrote: »

I second the not to be bowed down to issue as well..was at a confirmation recently and all this kneeling at the bishops feet and applauding him etc didnt sit well with me at all but thats a whole other thread

I saw the same thing at my son's confirmation last month and felt the same but that was nothing compared to what the bishop came out with in his talk to the children. I was not the only one shocked at the brass neck of him and it has been discussed at great length by so many.

The bishop decided to talk to the children on one of the 8 gifts of confirmation or whatever they're called. There were 8 large posters around the church and each had the word of one of the gifts.

He decided to pick courage and started telling the children that they must have courage to do the right thing even if others are trying to stop them doing the right thing, how it's important to do the right thing etc.

All I could think of was what a hypocrite considering recent revelations of his cowardice to do the right thing. Do as I say and not as I do.

Smiley Burnett

snuggles09 wrote: »

I cant even remember if I gave anything on my last daughter..i'm full sure i didnt..he's a priest..it's his job (sorry vocation).. does the money thats given go back into the church fund to pay for heat etc? is that why you pay the priest? or is it to give to him personally? never thought much about it but now you mention i'd be interested to know

would you ask a plumber or carpenter to do a job for free??
when a priest is asked by somebody to take time to perform a ceremony such as a wedding or a christening, then you shouldnt begrudge the priest a few pound!

snuggles09

I second the not to be bowed down to issue as well..was at a confirmation recently and all this kneeling at the bishops feet and applauding him etc didnt sit well with me at all but thats a whole other thread

SUNGOD

agree with deisemum, 50 is grand as long as you are working but every household is different.
what is reasonable for one family is expensive for another depending on the households income.
and priests shouild understand this
but remember priests are only people in a uniform and should be treated like this and not bowed down too. some are kind and thankful and understanding some are not

and if he does not seem happy with your voluntry donation take the money back and tell him you will forgive him for his churchs sins instead

snuggles09

I cant even remember if I gave anything on my last daughter..i'm full sure i didnt..he's a priest..it's his job (sorry vocation).. does the money thats given go back into the church fund to pay for heat etc? is that why you pay the priest? or is it to give to him personally? never thought much about it but now you mention i'd be interested to know

deisemum

I would have thought €50 was the average and people should give what they can afford. Some families would find €50 a lot of money to give if they're on a very low income or benefits.

I think if there are 5 christenings at the same time and if everyone gave €50 then I think €250 for 12 mins work is more than a few euro.

Smiley Burnett

I'm sure if you gave him €50 it would be fine!
p.s. On the same subject, i find it amazing how people spend thousands on events like wedddings/christenings, yet they begrudge the priest a few euro! (im not including you in this!)

deisemum

mozattack wrote: »

Hi All,

Christening for little son on Sunday and I don't know how much we 'have to' pay the priest. We are not regular church goers are anything and things are tight.

I am hearing €100 but also heard €200... is it really that high*

*(i know it is voluntary but there are certain expectations which we would probably have to honour)

Thanks!!

I think both amounts posted are excessive to say the least especially when you take into account that it's fairly standard now that there will be several babies baptised at the same time.

There were a few babies baptised when my young lad was baptised, think there were 4 if I remember correctly and the lot were all christened within 12 minutes. Godparents didn't even get a chance to get out of the pews it was that fast.

anplaya

mozattack wrote: »

Hi All,

Christening for little son on Sunday and I don't know how much we 'have to' pay the priest. We are not regular church goers are anything and things are tight.

I am hearing €100 but also heard €200... is it really that high*

*(i know it is voluntary but there are certain expectations which we would probably have to honour)

Thanks!!

whatever ye want to give. that simple.

merlante

mozattack wrote: »

Hi All,

Christening for little son on Sunday and I don't know how much we 'have to' pay the priest. We are not regular church goers are anything and things are tight.

I am hearing €100 but also heard €200... is it really that high*

*(i know it is voluntary but there are certain expectations which we would probably have to honour)

Thanks!!

Surely he'd take a few prayers for his immortal soul and for the suffering children in Africa?