Question about priest that leave there position

[allis-challmers]

What happens to a guy that has been a priest but decides that the priesthood is not for him. Is he still a priest but not a public position or does he become a layperson?

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='allis-challmers' date='Dec 28 2004, 09:19 PM'] What happens to a guy that has been a priest but decides that the priesthood is not for him. Is he still a priest but not a public position or does he become a layperson? [/quote]
A priest who has been laicized no longer has permission to celebrate the sacraments; but he is, and always will be, a priest. Sacred Ordination marks the soul of a man with a special character configuring him to Christ the head and shepherd.

Moreover, it should be noted that in cases of extreme necessity (e.g., danger of death) a laicized priest may, when no other priest is available, hear a person's confession and give him sacramental absolution.

God bless,
Todd