priestssometimes

Priestssometimes is a term used in discussions of religious practice to describe priests who occasionally engage in actions outside the standard, formally authorized norms of their church. It is a neologism rather than an official designation and is typically encountered in sociolinguistic or media commentary rather than church doctrine.

Etymology and usage have the term as a portmanteau of "priest" and "sometimes." It emerged in online discourse in the 21st century and has been used to analyze how clerical behavior can vary across time, place, and jurisdiction. In scholarly and journalistic writing, the phrase is employed descriptively to draw attention to inconsistency or context-dependent discretion rather than to endorse such practices.

Meaning and scope are broad and contextual. The term may refer to intermittent practice of rites with local permission, discretionary actions sanctioned by a bishop or diocesan authority, or responses to exceptional circumstances where standard procedures are loosened or temporarily overridden. It is not a formal category within church governance, but a way to discuss how individuals within the priesthood navigate rules, norms, and real-world constraints.

Reception and limitations include caution about casual or sensational use. Because it is informal and vague, priestssometimes can obscure the specifics of canonical law or local practice. When used, it should be accompanied by clarification of jurisdiction, context, and the exact nature of the action under discussion.

See also: neologism, sociolinguistics, clerical discretion.