Part Two: The Celebration of the Christian Mysteries › Section Two of Part Two: The Seven Sacraments of the Church ›› CHAPTER 3: The Sacraments at the Service of Communion ››› Article 6: The Sacraments of Holy Orders ›››› IN BRIEF

Questions and Answers

1595. To whom does St Paul mention the grace of ordination? (CCC 1590) St Paul mentions the grace of ordination to Timothy: “I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Tim 1).
1596. What two types of priesthood are there? (CCC 1591) There is (1) the baptismal or common priesthood of all the faithful and (2) the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood conferred through the sacrament of Holy Orders.
1597. How does the ministerial priesthood differ from the common priesthood? (CCC 1592) The ministerial priesthood differs from the common priesthood in essence, because it confers a sacred power for the service of the faithful.
1598. In which three degrees is the ordained ministry conferred? (CCC 1593) The ordained ministry is conferred in the three degrees of (1) bishop, (2) priest and (3) deacon.
1599. Who receives the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders? (CCC 1594) The bishop receives the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders.
1600. How is the priest united with the bishop and at the same time dependent on him? (CCC 1595) The priest is united with the bishop and at the same time dependent on him by being united with him in sacerdotal dignity and at the same time depend on him in the exercise of his pastoral functions.
1601. For what are the deacons ordained? (CCC 1596) The deacons are ordained for tasks of service of the Church.
1602. What does the sacrament of Holy Orders confer on the ordinand? (CCC 1597) The sacrament of Holy Orders confers on the ordinand:
1. an indelible spiritual character which confers the power to serve as Christ’s instrument
2. the grace of the Holy Spirit required for his ministry.
1603. On whom does the Church confer the sacrament of Holy Orders? (CCC 1598) The Church confers the sacrament of Holy Orders only on baptised men (Latin: viri), whose suitability for the exercise of the ministry has been duly recognized.
1604. What specific condition does the Latin Church normally require of the ordinands? (CCC 1599) The Latin Church normally requires of the ordinands that they embrace a celibate life.
1605. Who confers the sacrament of Holy Orders in its three degrees? (CCC 1600) The bishop confers the sacrament of Holy Orders in its three degrees.