From the Code of Canon Law
Can 545 §1 - Whenever it is necessary or opportune in order to carry out the pastoral care of a parish fittingly, one or more parochial vicars can be associated with the pastor. As co-workers with the pastor and sharers in his solicitude, they are to offer service in the pastoral ministry by common counsel and effort with the pastor and under his authority.
§2. A parochial vicar can be assigned either to assist in exercising the entire pastoral ministry for the whole parish, a determined part of the parish, or a certain group of the Christian faithful of the parish, or even to assist in fulfilling a specific ministry in different parishes together.
Can 546 - To be appointed a parochial vicar validly, one must be in the sacred order of the presbyterate.
Rev. Father Paschal Ezurike
Parochial Vicar
Reverend Father Paschal Uchenna Ezurike was born and raised in Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria. He is the first of eight children. Both parents are alive. He was ordained a Catholic Priest for the diocese of Orlu, Nigeria, on August 26th, 1995, after the completion of his seminary formation. Fr. Paschal studied Philosophy at St. Joseph's Major Seminary, Ikot- Ekpene (1987 - 1991) and Theology at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu (1991 - 1995), both in Nigeria.
After his ordination, he served as a Parochial Vicar for 2 years and as a Pastor for 10 years in his diocese in Nigeria. Also, he has been entrusted with other major assignments in his home diocese.
He came into this country in the fall of 2007 at the request of his Bishop and did a year residency program in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), at Oregon State Hospital, Salem. He helped out at St. Joseph's Parish, Salem, from September 2007 - June 2008.
He was moved to St. Anthony Parish, Tigard, in July 2008 as a parochial vicar for a year, and from there he was moved to St. Anne Parish, Grants Pass to continue his pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese of Portland.
Please continue to pray for Father Paschal and for all our priests as they carry out their ministry.