This hierarchy of ordained ministers in the Catholic Church mirrors how Jesus and the Apostles set up the original Christian Church.
There are three levels of Holy Orders, Deacon, Priest, and Bishop.
Bishops are the Apostles of today. Each one leads a diocese. Special types of bishop are archbishop, cardinal, and pope. The Episcopal denomination is named for bishops.
The Pope leads the bishops (and the whole Church) as Simon Peter (the rock) lead the original Apostles (and the whole Church).
Priests are co-workers of the bishops and can lead a parish. A special title for a priest is monsignor. Priests are called presbyters in the Bible. The Presbyterian denomination is named for priests or presbyters.
Deacons assist the bishop and priests in the celebration of 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.
With love in Christ.
2007-04-14 16:20:38
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answer #1
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answered by imacatholic2 7
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The vast majority of people do not realize that it is the holy office bestowed on St.Peter that is the real Catholic church, the power of this office is Christ Himself and this is why you cannot dismiss the Pope and Bishops just because they are mortal men.
Therefore when a Bishop or Priest celebrates the Holy Eucharist they confecting the real Body and Blood of Christ who is the first and only High Priest and by His authority, that comes from Peter down to the present Pope.
In the sacrament of confession the Priest is acting again with the authority of Christ and is in fact doing so in `Persona Christi`that is in the person of Christ, and so in Confirmation the Bishop who is also the successor of the Apostles is applying the Apostolic authority as well.
This holy office is not given to lay people as it is to the Clergy and without Bishops and Priests there would be no confirmation or Holy Eucharist.
2007-04-14 05:06:10
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answer #2
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answered by Sentinel 7
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At the Last Supper, when Jesus instituted the Eucharist, He told His closest disciples, the Apostles, to do this in memory of Him. Priests and bishops are the sucessors of the Apostles. He did not institute the sacrament of Holy Eucharist in a public setting and give all people the command to consecrate bread and wine into His Body and Blood.
2007-04-14 04:34:43
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answer #3
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answered by Sldgman 7
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They are the only ones the Ecclesiastical Authority to administer the Sacrament.
2007-04-17 07:30:55
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answer #4
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answered by Daver 7
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contained in the hand it really is a extra historic practice and extra effective As individual who provide out Communion daily, i will not inform you strategies oftentimes my fingers were licked bu those who do no longer understand how acceptable to get carry of on the tongue I do desire that we had an altar rail and ought to kneel at it to get carry of because that that would cut decrease back very a lot the intances of those who walk away with the host of their fingers I also like the person-pleasant Byzantine or practice of receiving both the host and Blood for a spoon that in no way touches mouth or tongue. this custom is likewise accepted fro the precious Blood contained in the Novus Ordo Latin ceremony you ought to get carry of very reverently contained in the hand or no longer so on the tongue. the recommendations-set makes each and each of the version
2016-12-04 00:42:06
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answer #5
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answered by ? 4
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We don't for this is not Biblical but it is traditional and taught by the church that it is.
2007-04-14 04:32:54
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answer #6
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answered by 1saintofGod 6
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