Regular clergy refers to a specific group within the clergy or religious members who are affiliated with a religious order or community, and live according to a specific set of rules or religious traditions. These rules, commonly known as a religious rule, outline the daily routines, practices, and obligations of the regular clergy.
Regular clergy can be found in various religious traditions, such as Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodox Christianity, among others. They are often distinguished from secular, or diocesan, clergy who typically serve within a specific local church or diocese.
Members of the regular clergy are generally committed to lives of chastity, poverty, and obedience, emphasizing their devotion to their religious beliefs and community. They usually live in communal settings, such as monasteries, abbeys, or religious houses, where they lead a life characterized by prayer, contemplation, study, and service to their faith and community.
The regular clergy are responsible for performing religious services, administering sacraments, providing pastoral care, and leading spiritual guidance to their respective communities. They may also engage in specific apostolic works, such as education, healthcare, or social welfare.
Regular clergy members are typically ordained as priests or may hold other positions of religious authority within their religious order. Their dedication to their faith and commitment to living a regulated way of life distinguishes them from the secular clergy.
