Presbyterorum Ordinis

The Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, Presbyterorum Ordinis, is one of the documents produced by the Second Vatican Council. Promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 7, 1965, it had been earlier approved by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,390 to 4. The title means "Order of Priests" in Latin, and is taken fromt the first line of the decree, as is customary for such documents in the Catholic Church

Contents

1. The Priesthood in the Ministry of the Church
2. The Ministry of Priests
   1. Priests' Functions
   2. Priests' Relationships with Others
   3. The Distribution of Priests and Vocations to the Priesthood
3. The Life of Priests
   1. The Call of Priests to the Life of Perfection
   2. Special Spiritual Requirements in the Life of a Priest
   3. Aids for the Life of Priests

The English text of this decree can be found on the Vatican web site at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651207_presbyterorum-ordinis_en