The Sacrament of Holy Orders

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is one of the sacraments of service. Through Holy Orders, Christ continues His ministry through the priesthood He established in the Apostles. Ordination in Holy Orders has three levels or degrees: the Episcopacy for Bishops, the Presbyterate for Priests, and the Diaconate for Deacons. To be ordained is to be brought into one of these degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. With each degree comes a gift of the Holy Spirit and sacred responsibilities.

The Episcopacy and the Presbyterate are two levels of ministering in Christ's priestly office. The Diaconate is an office of service toward the other two offices and the Church in general.

Bishops receive the fullness of priestly ordination in this sacrament. The word "bishop" comes from a Greek word meaning "overseer" (episcopas). Those ordained to the Episcopate receive the offices of teaching, ruling, and sanctifying. Bishops are ordained by other Bishops through the ministry of Apostolic Succession. In order to be ordained a Bishop, the Pope must approve the action. Bishops care for a diocese and all the parishes contained in it. Cardinals are Bishops and do not receive any further ordination. The same is true for the Pope. He is the Bishop of Rome.

Priests act in the person of Christ through service to a local parish. The term "priest" comes from a Greek word meaning "elder" or "leader" (presbuteros). They depend on their Bishop for their assignment and their faculties (how and to what extent the priest is allowed to serve). Their responsibility normally includes the spiritual oversight of a parish and all the people living in it. Their ministry is an extension of the ministry of the Bishop.

Deacons are marked with a special character as servants, just as Christ taught us to serve one another. The term "deacon" comes from a Greek word meaning "servant" (diaconos). Deacons assist priests and bishops in liturgical celebrations, most especially as ministers of the Gospel and of the Precious Blood. They also may distribute Holy Communion (they do not celebrate Mass), preside at funerals, and observe marriages.

Ordination is reserved only for baptized men, as they are to act in the person of Christ. Priests and Bishops are chosen from men who have chosen a life of celibacy and special service unto the Lord. Their vocation is a calling from God. Also a calling from God, the Diaconate is a special service to the Lord. These men may be married prior to their ordination, but would remain celibate should their spouse die. This sacrament is only performed once, as it applies a permanent character on the one being ordained. In other words, once a Priest/Deacon/Bishop, always a Priest/Deacon/Bishop. The Sacrament also cannot be conferred temporarily or outside the authority of the Catholic Church, which includes all the Bishops in union with the Pope.

To read more detailed information about the Sacrament Holy Orders, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1536-1600.