Sunday, October 7, 2012
335. What are the effects of the sacrament of Holy Orders? (part 1)
(Comp
335) This sacrament yields a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit which
configures the recipient to Christ in his triple office as Priest, Prophet, and
King, according to the respective degrees of the sacrament. Ordination confers
an indelible spiritual character and therefore cannot be repeated or conferred
for a limited time.
“In brief”
(CCC 1592) The ministerial priesthood differs in essence
from the common priesthood of the faithful because it confers a sacred power
for the service of the faithful. The ordained ministers exercise their service
for the People of God by teaching (munus
docendi), divine worship (munus
liturgicum) and pastoral governance (munus
regendi).
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1581) 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 1582) 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 (Cf. Council of
Trent: 1 DS 1767; LG 21; 28; 29; PO 2).
Reflection
(CCC 1583) It is true that someone validly ordained can, for
a just reason, 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 (Cf. CIC, cann. 290-293; 1336 § 1 3°, 5°, 1338 § 2;
Council of Trent: DS 1774), because the character imprinted by ordination is
for ever. The vocation and mission received on the day of his ordination mark
him permanently. (CCC 1584) 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 (Cf. Council of Trent DS 1612; DS 1154). St.
Augustine states this forcefully: As for the proud minister, he is to be ranked
with the devil. Christ's gift is not thereby profaned: what flows through him
keeps its purity, and what passes through him remains dear and reaches the
fertile earth.... The spiritual power of the sacrament is indeed comparable to
light: those to be enlightened receive it in its purity, and if it should pass
through defiled beings, it is not itself defiled (St. Augustine, In Jo. Ev. 5, 15: PL 35, 1422). [IT
CONTINUES]
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