3.2.7

Holy Orders

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Holy Orders

The Catholic Church believes that some men are called to continue the mission of Christ in a special way, and there is a special sacrament of Holy Orders to confer this role upon them.

Expectations

Expectations

  • Those in Holy Orders are called by God to perform a ministry which continues the work of the apostles.
  • Their first task is to proclaim the Word of God.
  • Part of their role includes acting as leaders of the liturgy (a set-out form of communal worship) and as ministers of the sacraments.
  • They also run parishes and help to support Catholics in local schools and hospitals.
Quotes about the Holy Orders

Quotes about the Holy Orders

  • ‘Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.’ [1 Timothy 3:1 NIV]
  • ‘Holy Orders is a sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry.’ [CCC 1536]
During Mass

During Mass

  • The sacrament takes place during Mass and is conferred by the laying on of hands and a prayer of consecration.
    • ‘For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of hands.’ [2 Timothy 1:6 NIV]
Significance

Significance

  • The sacrament of Holy Orders is said to confer a special ‘mark’ from God on those who are ordained (in the sense that they have been specially chosen), and this is lifelong.
  • This is called ‘an indelible spiritual character’ [CCC 1582].

Degrees of Holy Orders

There are 3 degrees of Holy Orders, which are conferred on bishops, priests and deacons:

Deacons

Deacons

  • Deacons are ordained to assist bishops and priests in their ministry. Some men remain deacons all their lives. This is called the permanent diaconate.
Priests

Priests

  • Priests are sometimes called co-workers of the bishops, and usually fulfil their ministry in serving people in parishes.
Bishops

Bishops

  • Bishops are considered to be successors of the apostles, and usually have pastoral care over all the faithful in a diocese.
Duties and limitations

Duties and limitations

  • All ministers in Holy Orders can baptise, bless the commitment of marriage and anoint the sick.
  • Only priests and bishops can hear confessions, confirm, or preside over the Mass (the Eucharist).
  • Only Bishops can ordain others to be deacons, priests or bishops.

Views on Holy Orders

In the Catholic Church, only men can receive Holy Orders. Most Catholic priests are celibate (they abstain from marriage and sexual relations).

Married exceptions

Married exceptions

  • Recently, some married priests who have converted from some other Christian denominations have been allowed to be ordained.
  • Many permanent deacons are married men and their ministry can be part-time, alongside their role as husbands and fathers.
Other denominations

Other denominations

  • Many other Christian Churches now allow men and women to be deacons, priests and bishops, and they have no commitment to celibacy.
Shortages

Shortages

  • In modern times, there is a shortage of men coming forward to be ordained, and because of this, some people have called for the rule about celibacy to be lifted completely.
Women?

Women?

  • Some call for the ordination of women, but many Catholics argue that the rule that only men can be priests is something that can never change.
Jump to other topics
1

Buddhism

1.1

Key Beliefs

1.1.1The Dhamma1.1.2The Five Skandhas1.1.3Aspects of Human Life1.1.4The Buddha1.1.5The Ascetic & Enlightened Life1.1.6Dhukka1.1.7Samudaya1.1.8Nirodha1.1.9Magga1.1.10The Wheel of Life1.1.11End of Topic Test - Buddhism Key Beliefs
1.2

Practices

1.2.1Places of Worship1.2.2Objects of Worship1.2.3Puja1.2.4Meditation1.2.5Death1.2.6Festivals1.2.7End of Topic Test - Buddhism Practices
1.3

Ethics

1.3.1Kamma1.3.2Five Moral Precepts1.3.3End of Topic Test - Buddhism Ethics
2

Christianity

2.1

Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2

Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3

Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship2.3.2Prayer2.3.3Sacrament2.3.4Baptism2.3.5Other Sacraments2.3.6Eucharist2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations2.3.8Christmas & Easter2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals
2.4

Community

2.4.1Local Community2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth2.4.3Worldwide Church2.4.4Reconciliation2.4.5Persecution2.4.6Caring for Those in Need2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices
3

Catholicism (Christianity)

3.1

Key Beliefs

3.1.1The Trinity3.1.2Creation3.1.3Incarnation3.1.4Redemption3.1.5Life After Death3.1.6Heaven and Hell3.1.7End of Topic Test - Catholic Key Beliefs
3.2

The Seven Sacraments

3.2.1Meaning & Significance3.2.2Baptism3.2.3Confirmation3.2.4Reconciliation3.2.5Anointing of the Sick3.2.6Marriage3.2.7Holy Orders3.2.8The Eucharist3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Seven Sacraments
3.3

Practices

3.3.1Prayer3.3.2Popular Piety3.3.3Pilgrimage3.3.4Pilgrimages HyperLearning3.3.5Funeral Rites3.3.6The Duty to Love Our Neighbour3.3.7Catholic Agencies3.3.8Catholic Social Teaching3.3.9Justice3.3.10War3.3.11Mission & Evangelism3.3.12End of Topic Test - Catholic Practices
4

Islam

4.1

Key Beliefs

4.1.1Oneness of God4.1.2Six Articles of Faith4.1.3Five Roots of Usul4.1.4The Nature of God4.1.5Angels4.1.6Freedom4.1.7Life After Death4.1.8Human Responsibility4.1.9End of Topic Test - Muslim Key Beliefs
4.2

Authority

4.2.1Prophethood4.2.2The Holy Books4.2.3The Imamate4.2.4End of Topic Test - Muslim Authority
4.3

Practices

4.3.1Worship4.3.2Ten Obligatory Acts4.3.3Shahadah4.3.4Salah & Its Significance4.3.5Mosques4.3.6Rak'ahs4.3.7Sawm4.3.8Zakah4.3.9Hajj4.3.10Jihad4.3.11Festivals & Commemorations4.3.12End of Topic Test - Muslim Practices4.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Muslim Practices
5

Judaism

5.1

Key Beliefs

5.1.1The Nature of God5.1.2God as One5.1.3God's Name5.1.4God as Creator5.1.5Free Will5.1.6God as Law Giver and Judge5.1.7The Divine Presence & Beliefs5.1.8Role of the Messiah5.1.9End of Topic Test - Jewish Key Beliefs5.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Jewish Beliefs
5.2

Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.2.1The Promised Land5.2.2Abraham5.2.3The Covenant5.2.4The Covenant at Sinai5.2.5The Covenant at Sinai 25.2.6Key Moral Principles5.2.7End of Topic Test - Covenant & The Mitzvot
5.3

The Synagogue & Worship

5.3.1The Synagogue & Its Importance5.3.2Public Acts of Worship5.3.3Shabbat5.3.4Worship & Law5.3.5End of Topic Test - Synagogue & Worship

Practice questions on Holy Orders

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What's expected of those in Holy Orders?Fill in the list
  2. 2
    Quotes about Holy Orders:Fill in the list
  3. 3
    Features of the Holy Orders sacrament:True / false
  4. 4
    What's the first task of those in Holy Orders?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What can all ministers in Holy Orders do?Fill in the list
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Marriage

The Eucharist