--Previous Message--
:
:
: 'This divinely instituted hierarchy, which
: is composed of bishops, priests and
: ministers'[15] received the mission which
: Christ had entrusted to his apostles. 'With
: priests and deacons as helpers, the bishops
: received the charge of the community,
: presiding in God's stead over the flock of
: which they are the shepherds, in that they
: are teachers of doctrine, ministers of
: sacred worship and holders of office in
: government.'[16]
:
: The sacrament of order is the way
: established by Christ for perpetuating in
: his Church this essential hierarchy[17] to
: which he has given the power of mission with
: its threefold office of teaching,
: sanctifying and ruling the faithful. 'The
: holders of office, who are invested with the
: sacred power, are, in fact, dedicated to
: promoting the interests of their brethren so
: that all who belong to the People of God,
: and are consequently endowed with true
: Christian dignity, may, through their free
: and well-ordered efforts towards a common
: goal, attain salvation.'[18]
:
: REFERENCES urgent
:
:
: [15] Council of Trent, Session 23, c. 6, DB
: 1776 (DS 966)
: [16] Decree on the Church, no.20
: [17] Ibid., no.21 and 28
: [18] Ibid., no.18
:
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