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Understanding the Diaconate and Presbyterate

The document outlines the different levels of ordained ministry in the Catholic Church: diaconate, presbyterate, and episcopate. The diaconate includes transitional deacons on their way to becoming priests and permanent deacons who can be married but cannot remarry if widowed. The presbyterate refers to priests who must be at least 25 years old and have received education through seminary. The episcopate involves bishops who are full priests and heads of dioceses, chosen by the pope, and consecrated by other bishops to lead their authority.

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60 views2 pages

Understanding the Diaconate and Presbyterate

The document outlines the different levels of ordained ministry in the Catholic Church: diaconate, presbyterate, and episcopate. The diaconate includes transitional deacons on their way to becoming priests and permanent deacons who can be married but cannot remarry if widowed. The presbyterate refers to priests who must be at least 25 years old and have received education through seminary. The episcopate involves bishops who are full priests and heads of dioceses, chosen by the pope, and consecrated by other bishops to lead their authority.

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coil
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Diaconate:

• Deacons

• Transitional Deacons: on the way to the presbyterate

• Usually only a few months

• Permanent Deacons

• As the name implies, they are deacons permanently

• Can be married, but not allowed to marry

• Assist/help the priest

• Can do:

• Witness weddings

• Give blessings

• Baptize

• Read the gospel at Mass, give the homily

• cannot anoint

Presbyterate:

• priest

• Belongs to a religious order or to diocesan clergy

• Must be at least 25 years old

• Education

• High School

• College = seminary (minor)

• Graduate School = 4 years seminary (major)

Religious or Diocesan:

• religious

• A group with a particular charism (mission)

• Jesuits education

• Benedictine ora et labora

• Carthusians contemplative

• Three vows

• Chastity and not married

• Poverty

• Obedience to the superior of the order

• 4th vow?

• Stability: stay where they are (Benedictines)

• Obedience to the pope (Jesuits)

Diocesan:
• belongs to the diocese

• Promise

• Celibacy: will not get married

• Obedience to the bishop

• Pray the liturgy of the hours

• No vow of poverty

Episcopate:
• bishop

• Fullness of the sacrament

• Heads a diocese

• Chosen by the pope

• Can belong to a religious order

• Is consecrated by several other bishops

• bishops ring is a sign of his authority

• Miter on the head represents the Jewish roots

• Crosier represents the bishop being the chief shepherd

• Pectoral cross is worn by all bishops

• The palium is only given to the archbishops, is made of lamb and was near bones of St Peter

• the sacrament is only open to men who have received the call by God

• Jesus only chose males to be his apostles

• The apostles chose only males to succeed them

• This then appears to be the will of God

• Not simply a historical or cultural concession

• It is the church which determines if an individual has a vocation

Institution

• at the last supper when Jesus said “do this in memory of me”

• Matter: imposition of hands

• Only a bishop can ordain

• Various levels of form depending on who is ordained

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