Holy Orders & The Priesthood
Outline • Holy Orders • The Sacrament of Holy Orders • The Three-fold Ministry • The Effects of the Sacrament • The Priesthood • The Universal Priesthood • The Ministerial Priesthood • Distinctions between Clergy and Laity • The Eucharistic Sacrifice
The Sacrament of Holy Orders •
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Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry… -CCC 1536 The ministerial or hierarchical priesthood of bishops and priests, and the common priesthood of all the faithful participate, "each in its own proper way, in the one priesthood of Christ." ….the ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood. … The ministerial priesthood is a means by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads his Church. For this reason it is transmitted by its own sacrament, the sacrament of Holy Orders. • CCC 1547
The Three-fold Ministry •
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Bishop • "Episcopal consecration confers, together with the office of sanctifying, also the offices of teaching and ruling.... In fact ... by the imposition of hands and through the words of the consecration, the grace of the Holy Spirit is given, and a sacred character is impressed in such wise that bishops, in an eminent and visible manner, take the place of Christ himself, teacher, shepherd, and priest, and act as his representative (in Eius persona agant)." 37 Priest • Through that sacrament priests by the anointing of the Holy Spirit are signed with a special character and so are configured to Christ the priest in such a way that they are able to act in the person of Christ the head." 45 - CCC 1558
The Three-fold Ministry •
Deacon • ‌ The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint ("character") which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the "deacon" or servant of all. 56 Among other tasks, it is the task of deacons to assist the bishop and priests in the celebration of the divine mysteries, above all the Eucharist, in the distribution of Holy Communion, in assisting at and blessing marriages, in the proclamation of the Gospel and preaching, in presiding over funerals, and in dedicating themselves to the various ministries of charity. 57 - CCC 1570
The Effects of the Sacrament of Holy Orders •
The indelible character • This sacrament configures the recipient to Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit, so that he may serve as Christ's instrument for his Church. By ordination one is enabled to act as a representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest, prophet, and king. - CCC 1581 • As in the case of Baptism and Confirmation this share in Christ's office is granted once for all. The sacrament of Holy Orders, like the other two, confers an indelible spiritual character and cannot be repeated or conferred temporarily. 74 - CCC 1582
The Effects of the Sacrament of Holy Orders •
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It is true that someone validly ordained can, for grave reasons, be discharged from the obligations and functions linked to ordination, or can be forbidden to exercise them; but he cannot become a layman again in the strict sense, 75 because the character imprinted by ordination is for ever. The vocation and mission received on the day of his ordination mark him permanently. - CCC 1583 Since it is ultimately Christ who acts and effects salvation through the ordained minister, the unworthiness of the latter does not prevent Christ from acting. 76 - CCC 1584
Ordination and “Annointing” •
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It is God's pattern throughout the Bible, both Old Testament and New, to give the Holy Spirit to his ministers on the occasion of their ordination, to empower them for the ministry he had just elevated them to. John 20:22: " 21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." 2 Timothy 1:6, "I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands." 1 Tim 4:14 “...Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you." 1 Tim. 5:19-22 . . . . Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor participate in another man's sins; keep yourself pure."
The Priesthood
The origin of the word “Priest” •
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We (as English speakers) are viewing things from an inverted perspective. When we hear of Jewish or pagan "priests," we assume the English word "priest" pre-dates the Christian usage, when in fact the word "priest" comes from the Christian usage of "presbuteros." "Presbuteros" (Greek) "Presbyterus" (Latin) "Prete" (Italian) "Pretre" (French) "Proest" (Old / Middle English) "Priest" (Modern English). Titus 1:5 "For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and shouldst ordain priests in every city, as I also appointed thee." James 5:14-15 "Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil, in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man; and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him."
The Priesthoods of the Old and New Covenant • The High Priesthood • The Universal Priesthood • The Ministerial Priesthood
High Priest •
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Old Testament • Ex 28:1 Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests--Aaron and Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abi'hu, Elea'zar and Ith'amar. New Testament • Heb 2:17 Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people.
Universal Priesthood •
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Old Testament • Exodus 19:6 "[A]nd you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." • Hos 14:2 Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, "Take away all iniquity; accept that which is good and we will render the fruit of our lips. New Testament • Romans 12:1 says we offer our bodies. • Philippians 4:18 says we offer our donations. • Hebrews 13:15-16 states that we offer our praise, our good deeds, and our sharing with others. • Revelation 1:6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion, for ever and ever.
Universal Priesthood • Revelation 5:9-10 and they sang a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the scroll and to open its seals, for thou wast slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and hast made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth. • 1 Peter 2:5 and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. • 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
The Ministerial Priesthood •
Old Testament • Exodus 19:21-22 21 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 “Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, or else the Lord will break out against them.” *God had priests long before the Mosaic law, as indicated not only by this priesthood in Exodus 19, but by Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, and by Abraham's contemporary, Melchizedek.
The Ministerial Priesthood •
Old Testament • Nu 18:2 And with you bring your brethren also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you, and minister to you while you and your sons with you are before the tent of the testimony. • De 10:8 At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister to him and to bless in his name, to this day.
Question • Today we have Jesus as our high priest and we are all individual priests. This is the same situation that existed in the Old Testament. There was a single high priest at the top, and there was the universal priesthood of all Old Testament believers at the bottom. But in addition to those two, there was also the middle, ministerial priesthood that was ordained and served Israel full-time. Where is today’s ministerial priesthood?
The Ministerial Priesthood •
New Testament • Rom 15:16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. • Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.“ • Titus 1:5 For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and shouldst ordain priests in every city, as I also appointed thee" • James 5:14-15 Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil, in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man; and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him
The Ministerial Priesthood • •
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1 Peter 5:1 "So I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and a witness to the sufferings of Christ..." Acts 14:23 "They (Paul and Barnabas) appointed presbyters for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord in Whom they put their faith." Acts 15:2 "Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them (some presbyters from Jerusalem), it was decided that Paul and Barnabas, and some of the others, should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters about this question.“ Acts 15:6 "The Apostles and presbyters met together to see about this matter." Acts 15:22 "The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and send them to Antioch (i.e. to give authoritative teaching).
The Ministerial Priesthood •
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Acts 15:23 "This is the letter delivered by them: 'The Apostles and presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers of Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin..." Acts 21:18-25 "The next day, Paul accompanied us on a visit to James, and all the presbyters were present. 1 Thess 5:12 "We ask you, brothers, to respect those who are laboring among you and who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you, and show esteem for them with special love on account of their work." Hebrews 13:17 "Obey those who have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
The Ministerial Priesthood •
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Philippians 2:29 Speaking of a particular presbyter, Epaphroditus, Paul tells the Philippians to: "Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy and hold such people in esteem, because of the sake of the work of Christ he came close to death, risking his life to make up for those services to me that you could not perform." Philemon 8 Therefore, although I have the full right in Christ to order you to do what is proper, I rather urge you out of love to [do so], being as I am Paul, an old man, and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus." 1 Peter 5:1-4 So I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and a witness to the sufferings of Christ...Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit, but eagerly. Do not lord over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Distinctions between Laity and Clergy
The Rebellion of Korah •
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Jude 11 Woe to them! For they walk in the way of Cain, and abandon themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error, and perish in Korah's rebellion. All three examples cited in this verse -- Cain, Balaam, and Korah -- involve religious ministry. Hebrews 11 makes clear that Abel had offered a better sacrifice to God than Cain, for which Cain was jealous. 2 Peter 2 makes clear that Balaam was willing to corrupt his ministry for money
The Rebellion of Korah •
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Numbers 16:1-11 "Now Korah . . . and Dathan and Abiram . . . took men; and they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men; and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said . . . 'You have gone too far! For all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them; why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORDJust as Korah, Dathan, and Abiram came along and said, “ What was Korah really saying? • In Exodus 19 God said we are all priests, so we don't need a ministerial priesthood; we can do that ourselves What do people say today? • In 1 Peter and Revelation God said we are all priests, so we don't need a ministerial priesthood; we can do that ourselves
Honor and Obedience •
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1 Thess 5:12 "We ask you, brothers, to respect those who are laboring among you and who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you, and show esteem for them with special love on account of their work." Hebrews 13:17 "Obey those who have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Philippians 2:29 Speaking of a particular presbyter, Epaphroditus, Paul tells the Philippians to: "Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy and hold such people in esteem, because of the sake of the work of Christ he came close to death, risking his life to make up for those services to me that you could not perform."
Priesthood and Sacrifice The Eucharistic Sacrifice
Jer 33:18 and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man before Me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to prepare sacrifices continually Heb 10:11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins
The separation of the body and blood •
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Jesus first says that the bread is his body and then that the wine is his blood. The sacrament thus shows his body and blood in a state of separation from each other, in a state of sacrifice. 1 Corinthians 10:16-22 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons
“Do” this in remembrance of me. • • •
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the word poiein or "do" has sacrificial overtones Exodus 29:38 Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two one year old lambs each day, continuously Leviticus 9:7 Moses then said to Aaron, “Come near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering, that you may make atonement for yourself and for the people; then make the offering for the people, that you may make atonement for them, just as the Lord has commanded.” Psalm 66:15 I shall offer to You burnt offerings of fat beasts, with the smoke of rams; I shall make an offering of bulls with male goats. Selah.
Do this in “remembrance” of me. • •
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Jesus' word anamnesis, usually translated "remembrance," also has sacrificial overtones. Hebrews 10:3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins." Numbers 10:10 Also in the day of your gladness and in your appointed feasts, and on the first days of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be as a reminder of you before your God. I am the Lord
Common Attacks Against the Priesthood
Celibacy • •
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2 Timothy 2:4 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 1 Corinthians 7:7–8 7 Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. 1 Corinthians 7:32–34 32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. 1 Corinthians 7:38 38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better. Matthew 19:12 12 “For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.”
Sex Abuse Scandal Facts •
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Homosexuals are three times as likely to be pedophiles as heterosexual men. Although exclusive pedophilia (adult attraction to prepubescent children) is an extreme and rare phenomenon, one third of homosexual men are attracted to teenage boys (Jenkins, Priests and Pedophilia). Married men are just as likely as celibate priests to sexually abuse children (Jenkins, Priests and Pedophilia) The profiles of child molesters never include normal adults who become erotically attracted to children as a result of abstinence (Fred Berlin, "Compulsive Sexual Behaviors" in Addiction and Compulsive Behaviors [Boston: NCBC, 1998]; Patrick J. Carnes, "Sexual Compulsion: Challenge for Church Leaders" in Addiction and Compulsion; Dale O'Leary, "Homosexuality and Abuse").
Sex Abuse Scandal Facts •
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Since neither being Catholic nor being celibate predisposes a person to develop pedophilia, a married clergy wouldn't solve the problem ("Doctors call for pedophilia research," The Hartford Currant, March 23). One has only to look at similar crises in other denominations and professions to see this. The vast majority of the clerical sex-abuse scandals now coming to light do not involve pedophilia. Rather, they involve ephebophilia — homosexual attraction to adolescent boys. While the total number of sexual abusers in the priesthood is much higher than those guilty of pedophilia, it still amounts to less than 2 percent — comparable to the rate among married men (Jenkins, Pedophiles and Priests).
Sex Abuse Scandal Facts •
A Research Study Conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice • We asked each diocese, eparchy and community for their total number of active priests in this time period. Adding up all their responses, there were 109,694 priests reported by dioceses, eparchies and religious communities to have served in their ecclesiastical ministry from 1950-2002. Using this number, 4.0% of all priests active between 1950 and 2002 had allegations of abuse. • The largest group of alleged victims (50.9%) was between the ages of 11 and 14, 27.3% were 15-17, 16% were 8-10 and nearly 6% were under age 7. Overall, 81% of victims were male and 19% female. Male victims tended to be older than female victims. Over 40% of all victims were males between the ages of 11 and 14.