Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church uses the term minister to refer to a person, either lay or ordained, who is commissioned to perform an act on behalf of the Church. There are several types of ministers in the Catholic Church, including ordained ministers such as bishops, presbyters, and deacons, and non-ordained ministers such as theologians and lay ecclesial ministers. Ordination is a sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop and is enabled to minister in the name of Christ and the Church. The process of becoming ordained in the Catholic Church typically involves a challenging program of priestly formation that lasts from five to thirteen years, depending on one's background and the seminary attended. It is worth noting that seeking ordination outside of the Catholic Church is generally not recognized by the Church and is considered a rejection of its teachings. However, some non-denominational organizations, such as the Universal Life Church, offer online ordination that is legally recognized in many places. These ordinations often serve the purpose of officiating weddings but can also empower individuals to start their own ministries or perform other religious ceremonies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ordination | A sacramental ceremony where a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop and is enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church |
| Who can ordain | Only a bishop can ordain a priest because he shares in the ministry of Jesus passed down through the apostles |
| Ordination process | The 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 |
| Ordination meaning | 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 |
| Ordination outside the Catholic Church | Seeking ordination outside the Catholic Church denies the Church's teaching on valid ordination and rejects the Church's teaching on the sacrament |
| Online ordination | Virtual churches that offer online ordinations do not require any education or training and are usually "multi-denominational" or "nondenominational" |
| Catholic Church's view on online ordination | Most Catholics would not consider the possibility of "ordination" through an internet church |
| Catholic Church's minister definition | The term minister is used with various meanings, most commonly referring to a person, either lay or ordained, who is commissioned to perform some act on behalf of the Catholic Church |
| Types of ministers | Theologians and lay ecclesial ministers are not necessarily ordained, while bishops, presbyters, and deacons are ordained |
| Minister of a sacrament | The ordinary minister of a sacrament has the spiritual power to administer it but not necessarily the canonical authority to administer it |
| Instituted ministries | The offices of lector (reader) and acolyte were previously minor orders, but Pope Paul VI abolished minor orders and the subdiaconate, creating "instituted ministries" in their stead |
| Universal Life Church | A non-denominational spiritual organization that provides ordination to anyone seeking it. ULC ordinations are legally recognized in nearly every state and increasingly around the world |
| Christian Leaders Alliance | A Spirit-empowered global community of Christian leaders that offers study-based, Spirit-filled credentialing pathways through Christian Leaders Institute (CLI), leading to ordination recognition |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic Church's definition of a minister
In the Roman Catholic Church, the term "minister" is used with various meanings. It is not a particular office or rank of clergy, unlike in some other Christian organisations. Instead, it is a collective term for vocational or professional pastoral leaders, including clergy (bishops, deacons, and priests) and non-clergy (theologians and lay ecclesial ministers).
The Catholic Church identifies five ecclesial vocations, three of which are ordained: bishops, presbyters, and deacons. Theologians and lay ecclesial ministers are not necessarily ordained. While only the ordained are considered clergy by the Catholic Church, all are considered ministers in the professional and vocational sense.
The other type of minister in Catholic parlance is a person who administers a sacrament, acting as a conduit of sacramental grace. This is not an office or position but a function that different people may perform depending on the sacrament. There are two types of ministers in this sense: ordinary ministers, who have the spiritual power to administer the sacrament, and extraordinary ministers, who do not have this spiritual power. For example, while bishops, priests, and deacons are ordinary ministers of holy communion, only someone who has been validly ordained as a priest is a minister of the Eucharist.
In Catholicism, "minister" is not a title used by ordained (deacon, priest, bishop) or professed (friar, monk, brother, sister, priest of a religious order) persons. Instead, it is a generic term for a person performing a service function on behalf of the Catholic Church.
In the Society of Jesus, the second-in-command in each house, who is usually in charge of internal discipline, is called a minister. The head of the Franciscan Order is known as the minister general, and the superior of the different provinces of the various branches is called the minister provincial.
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Online ordination
The ULC is a non-denominational spiritual organization that welcomes people from all cultures, creeds, and belief systems. It has garnered global recognition for its inclusive nature and promotion of universal togetherness. The ULC's online ordination process is straightforward and free of charge, requiring only the completion of an online application form. Once ordained by the ULC, individuals possess the legal status to officiate weddings, perform baptisms, preside over funerals, and conduct other religious ceremonies.
Another organization that offers online ordination is the Christian Leaders Institute, which provides free minister classes for ministry ordination. This process is more extensive than the ULC's, involving prayerful discernment and the completion of relevant classes taught by professors. The Christian Leaders Institute also offers specialized minister role classes for those who want to further their training in specific areas of ministry.
It is important to note that the requirements and recognition of online ordination can vary depending on the location. Some states may have specific laws and guidelines regarding online ordinations and the requirements for performing certain ceremonies, such as weddings. It is recommended to research the applicable laws and regulations in your area to ensure compliance and recognition of your ordination.
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Catholic Church's view on online ordination
The Catholic Church's view on online ordination is complex and multifaceted. Firstly, it is important to understand the Catholic Church's position on ordination in general. The Church holds sacred the belief that God calls certain individuals to specific roles of service, such as priesthood and the diaconate. The Church, through its bishops, is responsible for discerning and validating this call to ministry. This process typically involves a lengthy period of discernment and formation, including academic and spiritual preparation.
Online ordination, on the other hand, is often associated with virtual churches that style themselves as "multi-denominational" or "nondenominational." These online churches do not require individuals to adhere to a specific Creed or system of beliefs and offer ordination with minimal or no education and training. While online ordination may appeal to those seeking to officiate at weddings, Catholics who choose this path may not fully grasp the implications of their decision.
Seeking ordination outside the Catholic Church is considered a rejection of its teachings on valid ordination and the sacrament. According to Canon Law, a Catholic who receives ordination in another church or faith community, regardless of its nature, enters into communion with that community and, by extension, breaks communion with the Catholic Church. This act is seen as a denial of the Church's authority and its apostolic succession, which traces the ordination of clergy back to Christ and the Apostles.
However, it is worth noting that the Catholic Church's views on ordination have evolved over time. For example, Pope Francis has made changes to certain traditions, such as allowing women to become instituted lectors and catechists. Additionally, the Church's stance on Anglican ordinations, once declared "null and void," has softened in recent times, with Pope Francis demonstrating a more inclusive attitude.
While the Catholic Church maintains its position on the validity of online ordinations, the increasing popularity of such ordinations reflects a changing societal landscape. In conclusion, while the Church upholds its sacred traditions and teachings, it also faces the challenge of adapting to a diverse and evolving world, where access to ordination and religious inclusion are increasingly important values.
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Catholic ordination process
The Catholic Church identifies five ecclesial vocations, three of which are ordained: bishops, presbyters (priests), and deacons. Theologians and lay ecclesial ministers are not ordained but are still considered ministers in the professional and vocational sense. The Catholic Church uses the term "minister" to refer to a person, either lay or ordained, who is commissioned to perform an act on behalf of the Church.
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 rituals such as prostration, the laying on of hands, anointing of hands, giving of the chalice and paten, and the sign of peace.
The essential rite of the sacrament is the laying on of hands and prayer of consecration. This is an ancient tradition in the Church, mentioned in the Bible. Only a bishop can ordain a priest because he shares in the ministry of Jesus passed down through the apostles. 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 ordinand lies prostrate during the ordination to symbolize his unworthiness for the office, his dependence upon God, and the prayers of the Christian community.
The newly ordained priest receives the stole and the chasuble, which are vestments that pertain to his office and have symbolic meaning. The stole symbolizes the authority and responsibility to serve in imitation of Christ, reflecting the Scripture: "For my yoke is easy and my burden light" (Matthew 11:30). The chasuble is the outermost vestment worn by a priest when celebrating the Eucharist.
Anointing with oil stems from the Old Testament and indicates that someone or something is being set apart for a sacred task. The anointing of the hands signifies that the hands of the newly ordained priest are being prepared for their sacred duties, such as offering the bread and wine, anointing the sick, and blessing people. The bishop says:
> "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."
The ordaining bishop also hands the ordinand a chalice and paten to highlight the importance of celebrating the Eucharist in the life of a priest.
To become ordained, a man must complete a challenging program of priestly formation lasting from five to thirteen years, depending on his background and the seminary he attends. There are three levels of seminary: high school, college/pre-theology, and theology. Seminaries address four types of formation: human, spiritual, academic (intellectual), and pastoral. In addition to academic coursework, seminarians participate in daily mass, Liturgy of the Hours, and spiritual direction and retreats.
It is important to note that seeking ordination outside the Catholic Church is not recognized by the Church as it denies their teachings on valid ordination and the sacrament.
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Catholic ministers' duties
In the Roman Catholic Church, the term "minister" can refer to a variety of roles and vocations. The Church identifies five ecclesial vocations, three of which are ordained: bishops, presbyters (or priests), and deacons. Theologians and lay ecclesial ministers are also considered ministers in the professional and vocational sense, but they are not ordained.
Duties of Ordained Ministers
Ordained ministers, including bishops, priests, and deacons, have the authority to preach, teach, baptize, witness marriages, and conduct funeral liturgies. They can also administer the sacraments of Holy Communion, although ministers of Holy Communion can be laypeople.
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. The ordination ceremony includes rituals such as prostration, the laying on of hands, anointing of hands, giving of the chalice and paten, and the sign of peace. The stole, which is presented during the ordination ceremony, symbolizes the authority and responsibility to serve in imitation of Christ.
Duties of Bishops
Bishops possess the fullness of priesthood and diaconate and are considered the successors of the Apostles. They have the authority to ordain priests and deacons and administer the sacrament of Holy Orders. They also act in the liturgy in the person of Christ, pronouncing sacred prayers, presiding over sacred mysteries, explaining God's Word, and feeding God's people with the body and blood of Christ.
Duties of Priests
Priests can administer the sacraments of Penance (Reconciliation or Confession), Confirmation (with prior ecclesiastical approval), and Anointing of the Sick. They also have a role in celebrating the Eucharist, which is at the heart of the priesthood.
Duties of Deacons
Deacons have a role in the celebration of Mass, proclaiming the Gospel and assisting the bishop and priest in their sacred duties.
Duties of Lay Ecclesial Ministers
Lay ecclesial ministers are not ordained but are considered ministers in the professional and vocational sense. They often volunteer for specific lay ministries, which are mostly liturgical, catechetical, or involved in pastoral care and social justice. Examples include catechists (Sunday school teachers and teachers at Catholic schools), dismissal leaders, retreat leaders, youth group leaders, and Scout religious emblem counselors.
Duties of Theologians
Theologians are not ordained but are considered ministers in the professional and vocational sense. They may receive formation, including graduate studies in theology or divinity, and then exercise leadership roles in the community.
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Frequently asked questions
In the Roman Catholic Church, the term "minister" is used to refer to a person, either lay or ordained, who is commissioned to perform some act on behalf of the Catholic Church. It is not a particular office or rank of clergy, but rather a collective term for vocational or professional pastoral leaders, including clergy (bishops, deacons, priests) and non-clergy (theologians and lay ecclesial ministers).
The Catholic Church identifies five ecclesial vocations, three of which are ordained: bishops, presbyters, and deacons. While only the latter are considered clergy by the Catholic Church, all are considered ministers in the professional and vocational sense. The other two types of ministers are theologians and lay ecclesial ministers, who are not necessarily ordained.
To become a Catholic ordained minister, one must undergo a challenging program of priestly formation that lasts from five to thirteen years, depending on one's background and the seminary attended. There are three levels of seminary: high school, college/pre-theology, and theology. Seminaries address four types of formation: human, spiritual, academic (intellectual), and pastoral.
While it is possible to become "ordained" a minister through online organizations like the Universal Life Church (ULC), this is separate from the Catholic Church's teachings on valid ordination. The Catholic Church holds that God calls a person to specific roles of service, such as priesthood and the diaconate, and that it is the Church's responsibility to discern and confer Holy Orders upon those who have shown the necessary qualities and undergone suitable formation.
