Jus novum (c. 1140-1563) Jus novissimum (c. 1563-1918) Jus codicis (1918-present) Other Sacraments Sacramentals Sacred places Sacred times Supra-diocesan/eparchal structures Particular churches Juridic persons Philosophy, theology, and fundamental theory of Catholic canon law Clerics Office Juridic and physical persons Associations of the faithful Pars dynamica (trial procedure) Canonization Election of the Roman Pontiff Academic degrees Journals and Professional Societies Faculties of canon law Canonists Institute of consecrated life Society of apostolic life In the Catholic Church, imposing a life of prayer and penance is a type of penalty used to punish clergy for crimes and misconduct.
[1] It is similar to house arrest and while implementation of the penalty may vary, it usually includes banning the person from public ministry and limiting his interactions with others.
[1] For example, in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Cardinal Justin Rigali established a program for clergy sentenced to lifetime of prayer and penance that prohibits them from celebrating Mass publicly, administering sacraments, wearing clerical garb, or presenting themselves as priests; and they are monitored full-time by a former probation officer.
[3] Violations of the restrictions may result in a full dismissal from the clerical status.
Damián Astigueta, the majority of priests who agree to abide by the life of prayer and penance "want to be helped and recognize that this penalty is a table of salvation for them.