Michael Brooks
Ordination is a sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop, and is enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church. In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders and is responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in his jurisdiction, and representing the church. The process of becoming a bishop in the Catholic Church involves several steps, including meeting the necessary qualifications, receiving approval from the Pope, and undergoing the ordination ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ordination | A sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop and is enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church. |
| Ordaining a bishop | Requires another bishop and approval from the Holy Father (the Pope). |
| Consecrating a bishop | Requires at least three bishops, according to ancient sources. |
| Ordination ceremony | Includes various rituals, such as prostration, laying on of hands, anointing of hands, giving of the chalice and paten, and the sign of peace. |
| Essential rite | Laying on of hands and prayer of consecration. |
| Who can ordain a priest | Only a bishop can ordain a priest. |
| Bishop's role | Teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in his jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the church. |
| Bishop's qualities | Strong faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence, and human virtues. Well-versed in sacred Scripture, theology, and canon law, preferably with a doctorate in one of these fields. |
| Bishop's age | At least 35 years old. |
| Bishop's experience | A priest for at least 5 years. |
| Celibacy | Bishops are always celibate, according to ancient tradition. |
| Diocesan bishop | Entrusted with the care of a local Church (diocese) and responsible for teaching, governing, and sanctifying the faithful. |
| Apostolic succession | Bishops are successors of the Apostles, entrusted with the teaching mission of the Church. |
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What You'll Learn
- Ordaining bishop asks for permission from the Holy Father
- Ordination includes rituals like prostration, laying on of hands, anointing of hands
- Candidates must be at least 35, a priest for 5 years, and possess strong faith, good morals, etc
- Ordination is the process of being consecrated, set apart from the laity class to the clergy
- Only a bishop can ordain a priest, sharing in the ministry of Jesus passed down through the apostles
Ordaining bishop asks for permission from the Holy Father
Ordaining a bishop requires permission from the Holy Father, also known as the Pope. This is because the Pope is the head of the college of bishops and the successor of St. Peter. He is the Bishop of Rome, which is "the principal church, in which sacerdotal unity has its source".
The Pope's approval is required for the ordination of a new bishop, and the bishop-elect must have certain qualities. These include being at least 35 years old, a priest for at least 5 years, and "outstanding in strong faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence and human virtues". The bishop-elect should also be well-versed in sacred Scripture, theology, and canon law, preferably holding a doctorate in one of these fields.
During the Mass of the Ordination of a Bishop, the candidate for ordination is presented to the principal ordaining bishop. The Local Church, represented by a priest, addresses the ordaining bishop with the following words:
> Most Reverend Father, the Church of [place name] asks you to ordain this Priest to the responsibility of the Episcopate.
The principal ordaining bishop then asks a crucial question: "Have you a mandate from the Apostolic See?" or "Have you permission from the Holy Father?" An affirmative answer is required for the ordination to proceed.
The Pope's approval is essential to ensure the unity of the Church and the validity of the ordination. This requirement has been part of Canon Law and ancient tradition in the Catholic Church, demonstrating the importance of the bishop's role as a successor to the apostles and a leader in the Church.
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Ordination includes rituals like prostration, laying on of hands, anointing of hands
Ordination is the sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop, and is enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church. The ordination ceremony includes various rituals, such as prostration, the laying on of hands, and the anointing of hands.
Prostration is a powerful moment in the ordination ceremony, during which the ordinand will prostrate themselves while the assembly kneels to pray. This gesture symbolises the ordinand's submission to the will of God and their unworthiness for the office to be assumed, as well as their dependence upon God and the prayers of the Christian community.
The laying on of hands is an ancient tradition in the Church, mentioned in the Bible. During this part of the ceremony, the ordaining bishop will pray in silence as they place their hands on the head of the candidate. This gesture was first used by the apostles in the election of the first deacons for service in the Church. The laying on of hands by all the bishops in the episcopal ordination symbolises the acceptance of the newly ordained bishop into the college of bishops.
The anointing of hands is another significant ritual in the ordination ceremony. The palms of the ordinand's hands are anointed with sacred chrism, symbolising that they are being prepared for the sacred duties and vessels that will be part of their priestly ministry. For example, the newly ordained priest's hands will now be used for offering the bread and the wine, anointing the sick, and blessing people. The bishop says as he anoints the hands:
> "The Father anointed our Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. May Jesus preserve you to sanctify the Christian people and to offer sacrifice to God."
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Candidates must be at least 35, a priest for 5 years, and possess strong faith, good morals, etc
Ordination is the sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop and is enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church. There are four common steps to becoming a bishop in the Catholic Church. Firstly, apprentice yourself to a bishop as his personal secretary. This will allow you to learn the day-to-day life of a bishop and the workings of the diocese. Secondly, gain an advanced degree, preferably in canon law. It is also important to be well-versed in sacred Scripture, theology, and canon law and, preferably, hold a doctorate in one of these fields. A theology degree can be completed at a university, college, or specialist bible college. Knowing the rules of the Church is essential for a bishop.
The qualities that a candidate must have are listed in canon 378 §1. They must be at least 35 years old and a priest for at least 5 years. They should be "outstanding in strong faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence and human virtues", and should possess the other qualities needed for fulfilling the office in question. According to ancient tradition, bishops must always be celibate.
Before the election of a bishop, the patriarchal synod considers the names proposed by its members and draws up a list of those it considers to be valid candidates for episcopacy. This is communicated to the pope, and any name that does not receive his assent is removed from the list. When the synod elects a bishop, no further procedure is required if the person chosen is on the list. However, if they are not on the list, the pope's assent is needed before asking the newly elected candidate to accept. The pope must approve the ordination of a new bishop, who may be consecrated only by other bishops.
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Ordination is the process of being consecrated, set apart from the laity class to the clergy
To be ordained as a Catholic bishop, a candidate must be male and at least 35 years old, with at least five years of experience as a priest. They should also demonstrate solid faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence, and other human virtues.
The ordination of a new bishop is also called a consecration, and it requires another bishop to perform the ordination, with the approval of the Pope. In the past, it was believed that at least three bishops were necessary to consecrate another, but now, the Catholic Church teaches that one bishop is sufficient to consecrate a new bishop.
During the Mass of the Ordination of a Bishop, the candidate for ordination is presented to the principal ordaining bishop, and the Local Church addresses the bishop, requesting that he ordain the priest to the responsibility of the Episcopate. The principal ordaining bishop then asks if they have a mandate from the Apostolic See, or permission from the Holy Father, and upon affirmation, the mandate is read aloud.
Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, bishops become successors of the Apostles and belong to the college of bishops, serving as the visible head or pastor of the local church entrusted to their care.
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Only a bishop can ordain a priest, sharing in the ministry of Jesus passed down through the apostles
Ordination is the sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop and is enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church. There are three ordinations in the Sacrament of Holy Orders: diaconate, priesthood, and episcopal. The ordination ceremony includes various rituals, such as prostration, the laying on of hands, anointing of hands, giving of the chalice and paten, and the sign of peace.
Only a bishop can ordain a priest because he shares in the ministry of Jesus passed down through the apostles. The bishop is the one who ordains men to the diaconate and the priesthood. To be a Catholic is to be in union with the successor to the head of the apostles, that is, with the Holy Father. To be a bishop is to serve as a modern-day apostle, entrusted with the teaching mission of the Church.
The laying on of hands and prayer of consecration are essential rites of the sacrament, mentioned in the Bible. By this ritual, the ordaining bishop and the other priests invoke the Holy Spirit to come down upon the one to be ordained, giving him a sacred character and setting him apart for the designated ministry. The anointing of the hands signifies that the hands of the newly ordained priest are being prepared for the sacred duties and vessels that will be part of the priestly ministry, such as offering the bread and the wine, anointing the sick, and blessing people.
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders and is responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in his jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the church. Bishops are collectively known as the College of Bishops and can hold additional titles such as archbishop, cardinal, patriarch, or pope. A "diocesan bishop" is entrusted with the care of a local Church (diocese) and is responsible for teaching, governing, and sanctifying the faithful of his diocese, sharing these duties with the priests and deacons who serve under him.
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Frequently asked questions
Ordination is the sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop and is enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church.
Only another bishop can ordain a Catholic bishop. The Pope must also approve the ordination of a new bishop.
A candidate for Catholic bishop must be at least 35 years old, a priest for at least 5 years, and possess qualities like strong faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, prudence, and human virtues. They should also be well-versed in sacred Scripture, theology, and canon law and preferably hold a doctorate in one of these fields.
The ordination ceremony includes various rituals such as prostration, symbolizing the ordinand's unworthiness for the office and dependence on God, the laying on of hands, anointing of hands, giving of the chalice and paten, and the sign of peace.
A Catholic bishop is responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in their jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the church. They are also entrusted with the teaching mission of the Church and serve as successors of the Apostles.
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