The Clergy Flashcards
Bishop
in charge of diocese
Clergy
People specially ordained to conduct religious services
Priests
In charge of parish
Deacons
Lay person who assists or intends to become a priest
vocation
A calling from God to the religious life
Ordinations
A ceremony of appointing a religious leader.
Holy orders
Sacrament in Catholic church.
‘Laying on of hands’ to pass on spiritual power and authority. Candidate receives charism (gift) to enable him to be a good preacher and leader in worship and ministry
Work of priest
Offer sacrifice at alter and gives Jesus in sacrament Proclaim faith of Jesus Baptise and teach Tend your sheep Seek the lost Pardon the sinner Bless our homes Pray for the afflicted Comfort mourners Strengthen us in last hour Visiting the community Fundraising Counselling
RC church priest viewed to be God’s special person because…
He can declare forgiveness and consecrate bread and wine
Matt16: ‘and I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church’.
This authority continues through Apostolic Succession
all denominations view priests as people of ..
spirituality, morality and learning as their work requires them to teach, preach and be a social worker.
Argument for male only priests
Jesus and apostles
History and tradition - early church interpreted male only
Authority of priest is an extension of Christ?
Women
Women can serve in other ways
- enter a convent
- Eucharistic minister
- lay member of the community
Celibate priest
Example of Jesus
No distractions of family
Can serve community without ties of children’s education etc.
Understand parish members’ loneliness
No to Celibacy
Single person can’t offer advice on marital issues
May loose the opportunity of a good priest because they may wish to marry
Why women
Today Jesus may have chosen female apostles
Can’t deny their vocation - if gift from God
Women bring different gifts.
Authentic meaning
True to one’s faith despite the conflicting pressures/ influences of living in society today
In baptism all Christians share God’s nature as….
Priest
Prophet
King
Priest
By mediating between God and others - explains faith, being forgiving, keep peace
Prophet
Proclaiming good news in word and deed eg honesty, stand up for defenceless, controversial issues
King
Serving as Jesus served - leadership through service eg acts of charity, righting social injustice
What is lay ministry
People not ordained to the priesthood or serving in Religious Orders
What is vocation of lay ministers
To serve in the community through their family and social life
Lay people express love of God through work in the community such as:
- Using talents eg as reader, catechism, charitable work etc
- defending the faith
- supporting the priest
- Leading others through example
- applying teaching of Christ to contemporary society
Easier for monks and nuns to be good Christians because
Have support of others in community
Trained for it
Less stress (arguable)
Fewer distractions
Not easier for monks and nuns to be good Christians because-
They are only human
They may face greater temptation
Pressure to be a role model for others
Feel the loss of family and friends being near
Conclusion in essay
Importance of faith and answering a vocation
Draw on comfort of bible
Suffering of Jesus
Matt13 says the response to Christian calling is not an easy option “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few find it”
