The primary ministry of a diocesan priest is to attend to the sacramental and pastoral needs of the people of the diocese. A diocesan priest belongs to the body of priests (called the presbyterate) of a local diocese, which is a particular territory within a state or country. Religious priests are not necessarily more spiritual than diocesan priests. A Day in the Life of a Priest - Duration: 14:58. That includes serving the everyday needs of the people in parishes, but their activities are not limited to that of their parish. The differences between a diocesan priest and a priest from a religious order are distinguished by contrasting the vows made by religious priests and the promises made by diocesan priests. A diocesan priest is a Catholic, Anglican or Eastern Orthodox priest who commits themself to a certain geographical area and is ordained into the service of the citizens of a diocese, a church administrative region. A diocesan priest will make three promises to the church standing before his bishop. The superior might confer with the local bishop on matters. All men and women who make public vows in a religious order are called religious. A diocesan priest is supervised by the bishop of the diocese, who has control of all parishes in his diocese. The term secular clergy refers to deacons and priests who are not monastics or members of a religious institute. The word refers in this case to the form of life these priests live. A religious order priest belongs to a religious community, such as the Benedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans, etc. A diocesan priest normally serves within the boundaries of his diocese under the authority of his bishop. How does a diocesan priest differ from a religious order priest? 2:41. They are supervised by a superior in their order. Mercedarian Friars USA 180 views. A religious priest is a member of an order (the Jesuits, the Paulists, etc). - Duration: 2:41. The Diocese of Brooklyn comprises Kings (Brooklyn) and Queens Counties in New York City.