Even if a bishop determines that the pastoral care of a parish or parishes is entrusted to a team of several priests, one priest should direct the activity and be responsible to the bishop. The pastor has grave responsibilities to his flock. However, parish life does not depend solely on the priests. Therefore, the pastor, his assistants and the faithful work together to build a sense of community within the parish, particularly through the celebration of the Mass. To help ensure this dynamic in the parish, the Church requires registration.
Parish registration creates a two-fold obligation.
On one hand, the pastor is obligated to support the mission and needs of the parish. On the other hand, the individual is obligated to support the mission and needs of the parish. In her wisdom, the Church has seen the practice of registering at the church responsible for a particular territory as the best way for both priests and laity to meet these obligations. In our society today, sometimes a person may feel more comfortable at a particular parish or like the ambiance of a particular parish even though it is not the territorial parish where the person lives. When a pastor allows these individuals to register, he also accepts the responsibility for their spiritual care.