My dear Parishioners,

Peace! During these last weeks of the “Year for Priests” I thought it would be timely to go over the various In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church regarding Holy Orders. There are eleven (11) of these passages which will help us to appreciate this sign of grace entrusted to the Church by Christ Himself, the Great High Priest. The following is a reflection on article 1594.

For centuries there was a controversy over what was the difference between a Bishop and a Priest. Both offer the Sacrifice of the Mass. Both Anoint the sick and dying. Both absolve the repentant. It was the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) which solved and answered the question by teaching us that Bishops receive the fullness of Holy Orders in their Episcopal Consecration and Ordination (the Greek word episkopos means overseer, and Bishops oversee the Church founded and sustained by Christ) (cf. LG, 21).

It was at the Last Supper that Christ the Lord instituted both Holy Orders and the Holy Eucharist when He told the Twelve to “Do this in memory of Me.” Jesus did not make the Apostles Deacons or Priests. He made them overseers of His Bride Mother Church, to teach, govern and sanctify those who follow Him who is the Way cf. (Matthew 26:26-27; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-27; John 14:6). Bishops are the “Successors of the Apostles” and the Bishops continue this teaching, governing and sanctifying even until Christ should return in glory to judge the living and the dead, Bishops included.

While there was originally the body of the Twelve, the Bishops as successors of the Apostles now constitute a larger body (quantitatively) which we call the “Episcopal College” (don’t confuse this with the University of the South at Sewanne). The term “Episcopal College” means the body of the Bishops united with and under the Bishop of Rome and never without him who is the head of the Episcopal College even as Saint Peter was head of the apostolic band (cf. Matthew 4:18; 8:14; 10:2; 14:28-31; 15:15; 16:16-19, 22-23; 17:1-13, 24-27; 18:21-35; 19:27-30; 26:33-46;, 58, 69, 73-75…).

This is why the Pope, who is the Bishop of Rome and successor of Saint Peter has such an important place in the Church. In one sense he is a Bishop just like all the other Bishops. But as Bishop of Rome his authority and jurisdiction are not limited to the “Particular Church” which is the Diocese of Rome. In matters of faith and morals, all that we are to believe and all the good we are to do and evil we are to avoid (and repent if we sadly have fallen), the Pope teaches without any admixture of error. This charism or special grace is called “infallibility” and does not mean the Pope never sins (that would be “impeccability”).

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ in the one only Church which He founded and sustains we submit and unite our intellects and wills to that of the Successor of Saint Peter the Bishop of Rome and his brother Bishops who are with and under him even when scattered around the globe in their various particular Churches or Dioceses.

God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr