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Catholic deacon candidates prostrate before the altar of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in city of Los Angeles during a 2004 diaconate ordination liturgy

Holy Orders Portal

In a general sense, the term Holy Orders refers to those in the Christian religion who have been ordained in Apostolic Succession. As a more theologically technical term in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Old Catholic, Independent Catholic and Assyrian churches, it is a Sacrament in which the candidate is ordained as a bishop, priest or deacon.

Historically, the word "order" (Latin ordo) designated an established civil body or corporation with a hierarchy, and ordinatio meant legal incorporation into an ordo. The word "holy" refers to the Church. In context, therefore, a holy order is simply a group with a hierarchy that is set apart for ministry in the Church.

Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox perspectives

Main articles: Priesthood (Catholic Church) and Bishop (Catholic Church)

The Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Churches number Holy Orders, which is the Sacrament that confers ordination as bishops, priests, and deacons of the church, among three sacraments that create an indelible mark called a sacramental character^[1] on the recipient's soul (the other two are baptism^[2] and confirmation).^[3]

The purpose of the Sacrament is to constitute a person as a minister within the Church.

Deacons are ministers of service, delegated to act in the name of the Church and therefore are able to witness marriages (the Sacrament of Matrimony is actually conferred by the couple on each other, with the deacon as witness), to baptize solemnly (any human being may baptize in an emergency but a deacon may do so on ordinary occasions with full ceremony), and to preach.

Priestly Ordination, a popular devotional depiction of ordination in the Roman Catholic Church from the 1920s.

Bishops receive the "Spirit of governance" and are the successors of the Apostles, as a group (that is, the "college" or body of bishops is the successor body to the college of apostles; in Roman Catholic theology, there is a belief that the apostle Peter had a role of leadership in the college of apostles, which the pope retains today among the bishops, but this is not accepted by the Orthodox churches; sacramentally the pope is a bishop). Bishops, since they have the "fullness of orders," therefore may confer all seven of the sacraments. Bishops are governors of the church to the point where a bishop in the Catholic Church, even if not given authority over a functional diocese, will be given a "titular" or honorary diocese (a diocese that no longer exists) as a gesture toward the notion that a bishop is ordained for leadership.

Priests, as cooperators of the bishops in their sacramental ministry, may confect all of the sacraments except Holy Orders, the sacrament of governance, itself.

Until 1972 the Catholic Church also had four minor orders leading up to the major order of subdeacon, which were conferred on seminarians pro forma before they became deacons. The minor orders and the subdiaconate were not considered sacraments and, for simplicity, were suppressed under Pope Paul VI as part of the implementation of the Second Vatican Council.^[4] They were, however, retained by the Eastern Catholic Churches and by Traditionalist Catholics, including papally-approved Indult priestly associations. Only the sacramental orders (deacon, priest, bishop) were retained in the Latin Rite, but seminarians are "instituted" in "ministries" called acolyte and reader or lector, which replace the former "minor orders."

The Eastern Orthodox Church has two minor orders, those of reader and subdeacon. Altar servers are normally not invested with a special service, though the rank of "taper-bearer" has been incorporated into the rite of blessing for readers. Candidates for ordination receive the clerical tonsure prior to being ordained by the laying on of hands to these minor orders. There is a distinction between the laying on of hands for minor orders (chirothesis) and that for major orders (chirotony). Those in these lesser orders are not considered clergy in the same sense as those in major orders.

Other offices such as Pope, Cardinal, Monsignor, Archbishop, Archimandrite, Archpriest, Protopresbyter etc., are not sacramental orders. These are simply offices and titles and thus, though they are usually imparted with a blessing of some sort, their reception is not an instance of the sacrament of holy orders.

Lutheranism

One of the central differences between the Lutheran churches on the one hand and the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches on the other has been their understanding of the Eucharist. Lutheran theology does not hold that the Eucharist is a "sacrifice," though it holds a theology of a "real physical, not just spiritual, presence" of Christ in Communion. This difference over the understanding of the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist is an essential component of the differentiation between the denominations of their theology of Holy Orders.

Process and sequence

At priestly ordination the bishop imposes hands upon the deacon who is by that matter and the form of the consecratory preface ordained to the priesthood This is a photograph of the pre-Vatican II rite.

The arrangement given above, "bishops, priests, and deacons" is in the reverse order of ordination. For Catholics, it is typically in the last year of seminary training that a man will be ordained to the diaconate, called by Catholics in recent times the "transitional diaconate" to distinguish men bound for priesthood from those who have entered the "permanent diaconate" and do not intend to seek further ordination. Deacons, whether transitional or permanent, are licensed to preach sermons (under certain circumstances a permanent deacon may not receive faculties to preach), to perform baptisms, and to witness Catholic marriages, but to perform no other sacraments. They assist at the Eucharist or the Mass, but are not able to consecrate the bread and wine.

After six months or more as a transitional deacon a man will be ordained to the priesthood. Priests are able to preach, perform baptisms, confirm, witness marriages, hear confessions and give absolutions, anoint the sick, and celebrate the Eucharist or the Mass.

Orthodox seminarians are typically tonsured as readers before entering seminary, and may later be made subdeacons or deacons; customs vary between seminaries and between Orthodox jurisdictions. Orthodoxy has two types of clergy: married and monastic. Orthodox clergy must either marry or be tonsured as monks prior to ordination to the diaconate (according to some jurisdictions, before the subdiaconate), though some bishops may make economia (dispensation) to allow a candidate to marry after his ordination to the diaconate. But once a man has been ordained a priest he may not marry. If his wife dies, he may not remarry. Orthodox bishops are taken from among the monks.

For Anglicans, a person is ordained a deacon once they have completed their training at a theological college. They then typically serve as a curate and may be ordained as a priest, at the discretion of the bishop, following a period of time. Other deacons may choose to remain in this order. Anglican deacons can preach sermons, perform baptisms and conduct funerals, but, unlike priests, cannot conduct marriages or celebrate the Eucharist. In most branches of the Anglican church, women can be ordained as priests, and in some, can be ordained a bishop.

Bishops are chosen from among the priests in churches that adhere to Catholic usage. In the Roman Catholic church, bishops, like priests, are celibate and thus unmarried; further, a bishop is said to possess the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders, empowering him to ordain deacons, priests, and- with papal consent-other bishops. If a bishop, especially one acting as an ordinary- a head of a diocese or archdiocese- is to be ordained, three bishops must usually co-consecrate him with one bishop, usually an archbishop or the bishop of the place, being the chief consecrating prelate.

Among Eastern Rite Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, which permit married priests, bishops must either be unmarried or agree to abstain from contact with their wives. It is a common misconception that all such bishops come from religious orders; while this is generally true, it is not an absolute rule. In the case of both Catholics- (Western and) Eastern Catholic, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox, they are usually leaders of territorial units called dioceses (or its equivalent in the east, an eparchy). Only bishops can validly administer the sacrament of holy orders.

File:Russian Orthodox Episcopal Ordination.jpg

Patriarch Alexius II of Moscow and All Russia conferring the Holy Order of bishop upon a Russian Orthodox priest.

Recognition of other churches' orders

There is mutual recognition of the validity of holy orders among the Eastern Orthodox, Polish National, Oriental Orthodox, and Old Catholic churches and the Assyrian Church of the East as they have maintained the apostolic succession of bishops, i.e., their bishops claim to be in a line of succession dating back to the Apostles, just as Catholic and Anglican bishops do. Consequently, if a priest of these Churches converts to another, he is generally received as a priest without need for re-ordination. Similarly the Roman Catholic Church unconditionally recognizes the validity of ordinations in the aforementioned Eastern churches. Eastern Orthodox bishops can, and frequently do, grant recognition to the holy orders of converts who were earlier ordained in the Catholic Church (though there is much debate in Eastern Orthodoxy about this); that is part of the policy called church economy.

Anglican churches, unlike Protestant churches, claim to maintain apostolic succession.^[5] The succession of Anglican bishops is however, not universally recognized. The Roman Catholic Church judged Anglican orders invalid when Pope Leo XIII in 1896, wrote in Apostolicae Curae that Anglican orders lack validity because the rite by which priests were ordained was not correctly performed from 1547 to 1553 and from 1558 to the time of Archbishop William Laud, thus causing a break of continuity in apostolic succession. Eastern Orthodox bishops have, on occasion, granted "economy" when Anglican priests convert to Orthodoxy. Changes in the Anglican Ordinal since King Edward VI, and a fuller appreciation of the pre-Reformation ordinals suggest that the correctness of the enduring dismissal of Anglican Orders may be questioned. In order to reduce doubt concerning Anglican apostolic succession, since the 1930 Bonn agreement many Anglican bishops have been consecrated by bishops of the Old Catholic Church whose holy orders are recognised by the Holy See.

Neither Roman Catholics nor Anglicans recognize the validity of ordinations of ministers in Protestant churches that do not maintain the apostolic succession. Rome also does not recognize the apostolic succession of (high church) Lutheran Protestant denominations.

Anglicans accept the ordinations of those denominations in full communion with the Anglican Communion such as some Lutheran denominations. They may preside at services requiring a priest if one is not available.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) accepts the legal authority of clergy to perform marriages but does not recognize any other sacraments performed by ministers not ordained to the Latter-day Saint priesthood. Although the Latter-day Saints, who developed from private revelations and Protestantism, do claim a doctrine of a certain spiritual apostolic succession, it is significantly different from that claimed by Catholics and is not recognized by the Holy See.

Marriage and holy orders

The rules discussed in this section are not considered to be among the infallible dogmas of the Catholic Church, but are mutable rules of discipline. See clerical celibacy for a more detailed discussion.

Married men may be ordained to the diaconate as Permanent Deacons, but in the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church generally may not be ordained to the priesthood. In the Eastern Catholic Churches and in the Eastern Orthodox Church married deacons may be ordained priests, but may not become bishops. Bishops in the Eastern Rites and the Eastern Orthodox churches are almost always drawn from among monks, who have taken a vow of celibacy. They may be widowers, though; it is not required of them never to have been married.

In some cases widowed permanent deacons have been ordained to the priesthood. There have been some situations in which men previously married and ordained to the priesthood in an Anglican church or in a Lutheran Protestant church have been ordained to the Catholic priesthood - never sub conditione (conditionally), as there is no recognised true priesthood in the Protestant denominations - and allowed to function much as an Eastern Rite priest but in a Latin Rite setting; however, this may only happen with the approval of the priest's Bishop and a special permission by the Pope.

Anglican clergy may be married and may marry after ordination.

Other concepts of ordination

Ordination ritual and procedures vary by denomination. Different churches and denominations specify more or less rigorous requirements for entering into office, and while the process of ordination is likewise given more or less ceremonial pomp depending on the group. Many Protestants still communicate authority and ordain to office by having the existing overseers physically lay hands on the candidates for office over them.

Methodist churches

The American Methodist model an is episcopal system loosely based Anglican model and was first devised under the leadership of Bishops Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the late 18th century. In this approach, an elder (or "presbyter") is ordained to word (preaching and teaching), sacrament (administering Baptism and the Lord's Supper), order (administering the life of the church and, in the case of bishops, ordaining others for mission and ministry), and service; a deacon is someone who is ordained to word and service.

In the United Methodist Church, for instance, seminary graduates are examined and approved by the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and then the Clergy Session, at which time they are accepted as "probationary members of the conference" and then commissioned by the resident Bishop to full time ministry. This is referred to as receiving "deacon's orders", and probationary ministers hold the title of deacon. (Before 1996, the graduate was ordained as a transitional deacon at this point, a provisional role which has since been done away with; the order of deacon is now a separate and distinct clergy office in the United Methodist Church.) After serving the probationary period consisting of a minimum of two years, the probationer is then examined again and either continued on probation, discontinued altogether, or approved for ordination. Upon final approval by the Clergy Session of the Conference, the probationer becomes a full member of the Conference and is then ordained as an elder or deacon by the resident Bishop. This commonly known as receiving "elder's orders;" and probationer is known as an elder minister.

At the present time, the British Methodist Conference does not have bishops but just the two distinct orders of presbyter and deacon.

Presbyterian churches

Presbyterian churches, following their Scottish forebears, reject the traditions surrounding overseers and instead identify the offices of bishop (episkopos in Greek) and elder (presbuteros in Greek, from which the term "presbyterian" comes) because the two terms seem to be used interchangeably in the Bible (compare Titus 1.5-9 and I Tim. 3.2-7). Their form of church governance is known as presbyterian polity. While there is an increasing authority with each level of gathering of elders ('Session' over a congregation or parish, then presbytery, then possibly a synod, then the General Assembly), there is no hierarchy of elders, and each elder has an equal vote at the court on which they stand.

Elders are usually chosen at their local level, either elected by the congregation and approved by the Session, or appointed directly by the Session. Some churches place limits on the term that the elders serve, while others ordain elders for life.

Presbyterians also ordain (by laying on of hands) ministers of Word and Sacrament (sometimes known as 'teaching elders'). These ministers are regarded simply as Presbyters ordained to a different function, but in practice provide the leadership for local Session.

Some Presbyterians identify those appointed (by the laying on of hands) to serve in practical ways (Acts 6.1-7) as deacons (diakonos in Greek, meaning "servant"). In many congregations, a group of men or women is thus set aside to deal with matters such as congregational fabric and finance, releasing elders for more 'spiritual' work. These persons may be known as 'deacons', 'board members' or 'managers', depending on the local tradition. Unlike elders and minister, they are not usually 'ordained', and are often elected by the congregation for a set period of time.

Other Presbyterians have used an 'order of deacons' as full-time servants of the wider Church - but who, unlike ministers, do not administer sacraments or routinely preach. The Church of Scotland has recently begun ordaining deacons to this role.

Unlike the Episcopalian schemes, but similar to the United Methodist scheme described above, the two Presbyterian offices are different in kind rather than in degree since one need not be a deacon before becoming an elder. Since there is no hierarchy, the two offices do not make up an "order" in the technical sense, but the terminology of Holy Orders is sometimes still developed.

Congregationalist churches

Congregationalist churches implement different schemes, but the officers usually have less authority than in the presbyterian or episcopalian forms. Some ordain only ministers and rotate members on an advisory board (sometimes called a board of elders or a board of deacons). Because the positions are by comparison less powerful, there is usually less rigor or fanfare in how officers are ordained.

Latter Day Saint Movement

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a relatively open priesthood, ordaining nearly all adult males and boys of the age of twelve and older. Latter-day Saint priesthood consists of two orders: the Melchizedek and Aaronic. The offices, or ranks, of the Melchizedek order (in roughly descending order) include apostle, seventy, patriarch, high priest, and elder. The offices of the Aaronic order are bishop, priest, teacher, and deacon. The manner of ordination consists of the laying on of hands by one or more men holding at least the office being conferred while one acts as voice in conferring the priesthood and/or office and usually pronounces a blessing upon the recipient. Teachers and deacons do not have the authority to ordain others to the priesthood. All church members are authorized to teach and preach regardless of priesthood ordination so long as they maintain good standing within the church. The church does not use the term "holy orders."

Community of Christ

Community of Christ has a largely volunteer priesthood, and all members of the priesthood are free to marry (as traditionally defined by the Christian community). The priesthood is divided into two orders, the Order of Aaron, and the Order of Melchisedec (commonly known as the Aaronic priesthood or Aaronic Order; and the Melchisedec priesthood or Melchisedec Order). The Aaronic order is the “lesser priesthood” and the Melchisedec order is the “greater priesthood”. The Aaronic order consists of the offices of deacon, teacher and priest. The Melchisedec Order consists of the offices of elder (including the specialized office of seventy) and high priest (including the specialized offices of evangelist, bishop, apostle, & prophet). The Melchisedec priesthood is also commonly termed the “high priesthood”, but as noted, not all members of this priesthood are actually high priests. Paid ministers include “appointees” and the general officers of the church, which include some specialized priesthood offices (such as the office of president, reserved for the three top members of the church leadership team). As of 1984, women have been eligible for priesthood, which is conferred through the sacrament of ordination, by virtue of the laying-on-of-hands. While there is technically no age requirement for any office of priesthood, there is no automatic ordination or progression as in the LDS Church. Young people are occasionally ordained as deacon, and sometimes teacher or priest, but generally most priesthood members are called following completion of post secondary school education. Priesthood offices are not generally termed “orders of priesthood”, but certain offices constitute orders. For example, all bishops belong to the Order of Bishops. All evangelists belong to the Order of Evangelists. Other offices belong to quorums (seventies and high priests) or councils (apostles). The three presidents of the church form the First Presidency, which is sometimes termed council, and other times termed quorum. Deacons, teachers, priests and elders do not belong to permanent bodies, but may organize local quorums for all members of a given office within a particular city or region. In March 2007 a woman was ordained for the first time to the office of president.

Non-traditional organizations

The non-authoritarian religious denominations, such as the Universal Life Church, prefer to empower their clergy by minimizing the impediments to those that feel the calling to make a spiritual connection to the cosmos. Reducing the barriers to performing religious ceremonies these denominations encourage those who within the general population to realize spiritual experience. By enabling friends or relatives to perform ceremonies like marriages, organizations that offer online ordination demystify and integrate religious understanding into lives of the otherwise nonreligious public.

Other unaffiliated religious organizations, such as Rose Ministries^[6], feel that everyone has the right to the distinction of being ordained who show a willingness to pursue and share the truth. Their ordination process is one way of accommodating this belief.

Still others, such as Spiritual Humanism^[7], believe that religion must be able to adapt to new knowledge about the universe without rejecting the deep spiritual connections to human history and the natural world that we are a part of, and that all humans have an inalienable right and duty to practice their own religious traditions.

Ordination of women

The Roman Catholic Church does not ordain women to any of the orders and has officially declared that it does not have authority to ordain women as priests or bishops. Ordaining women as deacons, however, appears to remain a possibility, but not in any sacramental sense of the diaconate. Many Orthodox, Old Catholic, Anglican and Protestant churches ordain women, but in many cases, only to the office of deacon or deaconess. Whether the Catholic Church historically ordained, or simply "set apart", women as deaconesses is a matter of theological and historical investigation. Various branches of the Orthodox churches, including the Greek Orthodox, currently ordain woman as deaconesses. Some churches are internally divided on whether it is scripturally permissible to ordain women. When one considers the relative size of the churches (1.1 billion Roman Catholics, 300 million Orthodox, 590 million Anglicans and Protestants), it is a minority of Christian churches that ordain women. Protestants constitute about 27 percent of Christians worldwide and most which do ordain women have only done so within the past century.

In some traditions women may theoretically be ordained to the same orders as men. In others women are restricted from certain offices. The Church of England (in the Anglican Communion), for example, does not permit the consecration of women as bishops, though the Episcopal Church USA (the United States denomination that is part of the Anglican Communion) does. Similarly, in some Protestant denominations, women may serve as assistant pastors but not as pastors in charge of congregations. In some denominations women can be ordained to be an elder or deacon. Some denominations allow for the ordination of women for certain religious orders. Within certain traditions, such as the Anglican and Lutheran, there is a diversity of theology and practice regarding ordination of women.

The Roman Catholic Church, in accordance with its understanding of the theological tradition on the issue, and the definitive clarification of the issue found in the encyclical letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (1994) written by Pope John Paul II in 1994, officially teaches that it has no authority to ordain women as priests and thus there is no possibility of female priests at any time in the future.

Ordination of homosexuals

Template:CAH

See also Homosexuality in the Roman Catholic priesthood and Homosexuality and Christianity

The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches is the most prominent American denomination with an official stance allowing non-celibate gays and lesbians to be ordained. Smaller denominations, like the Liberal Catholic Church, the Swedenborgian Church of North America and the Apostolic Johannite Church also do so. The United Church of Christ, because of its decentralized model, allows such ordinations out of default since there are no official denomination-wide stances on doctrine. In the Episcopal Church USA bishops in some dioceses ordain non-celibate gays and lesbians, while those in others do not; the ordination of homosexuals is highly controversial in the wider Anglican Communion. Most of the mainline Protestant denominations, such as the Presbyterian Church USA, the Moravian Church, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA), are openly discussing the issue. The United Church of Canada and the Uniting Church in Australia already welcome gays and lesbians in permanent partnerships in the ordained ministry. The United Methodist Church has also been discussing the issue for many years, but its official position continues to deny ordination to "Self-Avowed Practicing Homosexuals." In theory, a homosexual who is celibate is a fit candidate for ordination within the United Methodist Church, but in practice this rarely happens.

Controversy associated with the consecration of Gene Robinson to the order of bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, and the planned consecration of Jeffrey John (who was to be ordained Bishop of Reading) in the Church of England, led to the formation of the Eames Commission by the Archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual head of the Anglican Communion. Its findings, published as the Windsor Report, recommended that the consecration of individuals in same-sex relationships as bishops cease, although it conspicuosly avoided discussing gays and lesbians ordered as priests and deacons. In response, the Episcopal Church placed a moratorium on confirming the consecrations of all bishops.

The ordination of gays and lesbians is not a new thing, but their open ordination has come to light. In the past, ordinands who were gay or lesbian did not admit their sexuality, and were ordained. Upon the ordination of Gene Robinson, Episcopal Bishop J. Neil Alexander of the Diocese of Atlanta said he voted for the ordination because Robinson was open about his sexuality and honest, whereas in the past known gay clergy were ordained to the episcopate only because they lied about it.

In many churches this is a very volatile issue, as is the ordination of women in many churches. It is not likely that a resolution will be swift. Within mainline churches the Confessing Movement has been a vehicle for the opposition to the ordination of non-celibate gays and lesbians.

The Roman Catholic Church allows the ordination of men who have, in the past, experienced same sex attraction, but only on the condition that they have lived without engaging in homosexual culture or acts for several years and can be psychologically verfied as having their same-sex attraction under control.^[8] Previously ordination of these homosexually inclined males was strictly forbidden, even though this discipline was often not observed by local bishops after the 1960s.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints only ordains men to the priesthood that have covenanted not to have sex with anyone besides their wife. Some gay men have chosen to remain celibate, while others have chosen to get married.^[9] However, a man must be married in order to become a bishop, regardless of orientation.^[10] Transgendered persons who were born men may only receive the priesthood if they have not had, and are not planning to have an operation.(1999 Church handbook.) Women are not ordained to the priesthood.

Footnotes

↑ can. 1008, CIC 1983
↑ canon 845, CIC 1983
↑ can. 879, CIC 1983
↑ Paul VI, moto proprio, Ministeria quedam Aug 15, 1972, in AAS, 64 (1972) p529
↑ The Ecumenical Patriarch on Anglican Orders
↑ [1]Rose Ministries
↑ [ http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/]Spiritual Humanism
↑ Full text of the 2005 Vatican document on ordaining homosexuals into the priesthood
↑ Moore, Carrie A. Gay LDS men detail challenges March 30, 2007. Deseret Morning News
↑ Interview with Elder Oaks and Wickman

Print resources

Campbell, Dennis. Yoke of Obedience, 1988. ISBN 0-687-46660-1
Oden, Thomas. Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry, 1983. ISBN 0-06-066353-7
Willimon, William. Calling & Character: Virtues of the Ordained Life, 2000. ISBN 0-687-09033-4
Willimon, William. Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry, 2002. ISBN 0-687-04532-0

External links

Footnotes

Print resources

Campbell, Dennis. Yoke of Obedience, 1988. ISBN 0-687-46660-1
Oden, Thomas. Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry, 1983. ISBN 0-06-066353-7
Willimon, William. Calling & Character: Virtues of the Ordained Life, 2000. ISBN 0-687-09033-4
Willimon, William. Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry, 2002. ISBN 0-687-04532-0

External links

Old Catholic Vocations Website - Retrieved October 12, 2007.
Priesthood - Catholic Sacrament of Holy Orders - Ordination - Retrieved October 12, 2007.
The Steps to Orders in The United Methodist Church - Retrieved October 12, 2007.
Elder's Orders in the UMC: The Disciplinary Questions and Sample Answers - Retrieved October 12, 2007.

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[1] . 1008, CIC 1983

[2] 845, CIC 1983

[3] . 879, CIC 1983

[4] Paul VI, moto proprio, Ministeria quedam Aug 15, 1972, in AAS, 64 (1972) p529

[5] The Ecumenical Patriarch on Anglican Orders

[6] [1]Rose Ministries

[7] [ http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/]Spiritual Humanism

[8] Full text of the 2005 Vatican document on ordaining homosexuals into the priesthood

[9] Moore, Carrie A. Gay LDS men detail challenges March 30, 2007. Deseret Morning News

[10] Interview with Elder Oaks and Wickman

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@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 {{Christianity}}
+[[Image:Deacon Ordination.jpg|thumb|Catholic deacon candidates prostrate before the altar of the Cathedral of [[Our Lady of the Angels]] in city of Los Angeles during a 2004 diaconate ordination liturgy]]{{portal|Christianity}}
+In a general sense, the term '''Holy Orders''' refers to those in the Christian religion who have been [[ordination|ordained]] in [[Apostolic Succession]].  As a more theologically technical term in the [[Roman Catholic]], [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox]], [[Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodox]], [[Anglican]], [[Old Catholic]], [[Independent Catholic]] and [[Assyrian Church of the East|Assyrian]] churches, it is a Sacrament in which the candidate is ordained as a bishop, priest or deacon.
-[[Image:Deacon Ordination.jpg|thumb|left|Catholic deacon candidates prostrate before the altar of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles during a 2004 diaconate ordination liturgy]]
+Historically, the word "order" (Latin ''[[:wikt:ordo|ordo]]'') designated an established civil body or corporation with a hierarchy, and ''[[:wikt:ordinatio|ordinatio]]'' meant legal incorporation into an ''ordo''.  The word "holy" refers to the [[Ecclesia (Church)|Church]].  In context, therefore, a holy order is simply a group with a hierarchy that is set apart for ministry in the Church.
-'''Holy Orders''' in the [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] (Latin: ''sacri ordines''), [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Eastern Catholic]], [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox]] (ιερωσυνη, ιερατευμα, Свештенство), [[Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodox]], [[Anglicanism|Anglican]], [[Assyrian Church of the East|Assyrian]], [[Old Catholic]], [[Independent Catholic Churches|Independent Catholic]] churches and some [[Lutheran]] churches are the three orders of [[bishop]], [[priest]] and [[deacon]], or the sacrament or rite by which candidates are  ordained to those orders.
-These Churches regard [[ordination]] as a [[sacrament]] (the ''sacramentum ordinis'').  [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Christian denomination|denominations]], however, have varied conceptions of the church offices, but none of them considers ordination a sacrament and some would not consider their [[Minister of religion|ministries]] in terms of holy orders at all.
+===Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox perspectives===
+::''Main articles: [[Priesthood (Catholic Church)]] and [[Bishop (Catholic Church)]]
-The word "order" (Latin ''[[:wikt:ordo|ordo]]'') designated an established civil body or corporation with a hierarchy, and ''[[:wikt:ordinatio|ordinatio]]'' meant legal incorporation into an ''ordo''. The word "holy" ''([[:wikt:sacer|sacer]])'' refers to the [[Ecclesia (Church)|Church]]. In context, therefore, a holy order is simply a group with a hierarchy that is set apart for ministry in the Church.
+The [[Roman Catholic Church]] and Eastern Orthodox Churches number Holy Orders, which is the Sacrament that confers [[ordination]] as [[Bishop (Catholic Church)|bishops]], [[Presbyterium|priests]], and deacons of the church, among three [[Sacraments of the Catholic Church|sacraments]] that create an indelible mark called a [[sacramental character]]<ref>can. 1008, CIC 1983</ref> on the recipient's soul (the other two are [[baptism]]<ref>canon 845, CIC 1983</ref> and [[Confirmation (sacrament)|confirmation]]).<ref>can. 879, CIC 1983</ref>
-The [[World Council of Churches]] undertook a major consultation amongst its members and with the Catholic Church on ''Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry'' (BEM)<ref>[http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/faith/bem1.html World Council of Churches, ''Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry'' page] - Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref> published in 1982. It attempted to express the convergences that had been found over the years and seven volumes of responses compiled. As a result some churches have changed their liturgical practices, and some have entered into discussions which in turn led to further agreements and steps towards unity. There is also a major study on the church ([http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/faith/nature1.html ecclesiology]) being on the question 'What it means to be a church, or the Church?' It focuses on [[ecclesiology]] and ethics looking at the churches/Church's 'prophetic witness and its service to those in need'.<ref>[http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/faith/eeintro.html Ecclesiology and Ethics Intro] - Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref>
+The purpose of the Sacrament is to constitute a person as a minister within the Church.
-===Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox perspectives===
+Deacons are ministers of service, delegated to act in the name of the Church and therefore are able to witness marriages (the Sacrament of Matrimony is actually conferred by the couple on each other, with the deacon as witness), to baptize solemnly (any human being may baptize in an emergency but a deacon may do so on ordinary occasions with full ceremony), and to preach.
+[[Image:Holy Orders Picture.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Priestly Ordination'', a popular devotional depiction of ordination in the Roman Catholic Church from the [[1920s]].]]
+Bishops receive the "Spirit of governance" and are the successors of the Apostles, as a group (that is, the "college" or body of bishops is the successor body to the college of apostles; in Roman Catholic theology, there is a belief that the apostle Peter had a role of leadership in the college of apostles, which the pope retains today among the bishops, but this is not accepted by the Orthodox churches; sacramentally the pope is a bishop).  Bishops, since they have the "fullness of orders," therefore may confer all seven of the sacraments. Bishops are governors of the church to the point where a bishop in the Catholic Church, even if not given authority over a functional diocese, will be given a "titular" or honorary diocese (a diocese that no longer exists) as a gesture toward the notion that a bishop is ordained for leadership.
-::''Main articles: [[Priesthood (Catholic Church)]] and [[Bishop (Catholic Church)]]
+Priests, as cooperators of the bishops in their sacramental ministry, may confect all of the sacraments except Holy Orders, the sacrament of governance, itself.
-The [[Roman Catholic Church]] numbers Holy Orders, which is the Sacrament that confers [[ordination]] as [[Bishop (Catholic Church)|bishops]], [[Presbyterium|priests]] and deacons of the church, among three [[Sacraments of the Catholic Church|sacraments]] that create an indelible mark called a [[sacramental character]]<ref>[http://www.jgray.org/codes/cic83eng.html 1983 CODE OF CANON LAW - can.1008] - Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref> on the recipient's soul (the other two are [[baptism]]<ref>[http://www.jgray.org/codes/cic83eng.html 1983 CODE OF CANON LAW - canon 845] - Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref> and [[Confirmation (sacrament)|confirmation]]).<ref>[http://www.jgray.org/codes/cic83eng.html 1983 CODE OF CANON LAW - can. 879] - Retrieved October 12, 2007</ref>  Some non-Catholics, perhaps especially Anglicans, also use the term ''episcopal character'' to refer to the status of a bishop.
+Until [[1972]] the Catholic Church also had four [[minor orders]] leading up to the [[major orders|major order]] of [[subdeacon]], which were conferred on [[Seminary|seminarians]] ''[[pro forma]]'' before they became [[deacon]]s. The minor orders and the subdiaconate were '''not''' considered sacraments and, for simplicity, were suppressed under [[Pope Paul VI]] as part of the implementation of the [[Second Vatican Council]].<ref>Paul VI, moto proprio, ''Ministeria quedam'' Aug 15, 1972, in AAS, 64 (1972) p529</ref> They were, however, retained by the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] and by [[Traditionalist Catholic]]s, including papally-approved [[Indult Catholic|Indult]] [[Communities Using the Tridentine Mass|priestly associations]].  Only the sacramental orders (deacon, priest, bishop) were retained in the [[Latin Rite]], but seminarians are "instituted" in "ministries" called acolyte and reader or lector, which replace the former "minor orders."
-In the Roman Catholic tradition, the purpose of the Sacrament is to constitute a person as a minister within the Church.  Deacons are ministers of service.  Bishops receive the "Spirit of governance" and are successors to the Apostles.  In this way, ministers and shepards are provided to the People of God.
+The [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] has two minor orders, those of [[Reader (liturgy)|reader]] and subdeacon. [[Altar server]]s are normally not invested with a special service, though the rank of "taper-bearer" has been incorporated into the rite of blessing for readers.  Candidates for ordination receive the clerical [[tonsure]] prior to being ordained by the '''laying on of hands''' to these minor orders. There is a distinction between the laying on of hands for minor orders (''chirothesis'') and that for major orders (''chirotony''). Those in these lesser orders are not considered [[clergy]] in the same sense as those in major orders.
-Until 1972 the Catholic Church also had four [[minor orders]] leading up to the [[major orders|major order]] of [[subdeacon]], which were conferred on [[Seminary|seminarians]] ''[[pro forma]]'' before they became [[deacon]]s. The minor orders and the subdiaconate were not considered sacraments and, for simplicity, were suppressed under [[Pope Paul VI]] as part of the implementation of the [[Second Vatican Council]].<ref>Paul VI, moto proprio, ''Ministeria quedam'' Aug 15, 1972, in AAS, 64 (1972) p529</ref> They were, however, retained by the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] and by [[Traditionalist Catholic]]s, including papally-approved [[Indult Catholic|Indult]] [[Communities Using the Tridentine Mass|priestly associations]].  Only the sacramental orders (deacon, priest, bishop) were retained in the [[Latin Rite]].  By canon law,<ref>[http://www.jgray.org/codes/cic83eng.html 1983 CODE OF CANON LAW - can. 949] - Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref> the subdiaconate was included in the major orders.  Previously some excluded mentioning the order of bishop, as this order was seen as the fullness of the priestly order already conferred.  The total number of minor and major orders in the pre-1972 structure was always considered to be seven, the number of perfection.
+Other offices such as ''[[Pope]]'', ''[[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]]'', ''[[Monsignor]]'', ''[[Archbishop]]'', ''[[Archimandrite]]'', ''[[Archpriest]]'', ''[[Protopresbyter]]'' etc., are not sacramental orders. These are simply offices and titles and thus, though they are usually imparted with a blessing of some sort, their reception is not an instance of the sacrament of holy orders.
-Such offices as ''[[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]]'', ''[[Monsignor]]'', ''[[Archbishop]]'' etc., are not sacramental orders. These are simply offices and titles and thus their reception is not an instance of the sacrament of holy orders.
+===Lutheranism===
-The [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] has two minor orders, those of [[Reader (liturgy)|reader]] and subdeacon. Candidates for ordination receive the clerical [[tonsure]] prior to being ordained by the '''laying on of hands''' to these minor orders. There is a distinction between the laying on of hands for minor orders ''(chirothesis)'' and that for major orders ''(chirotony)''. Those in these lesser orders are not considered [[clergy]] in the same sense as those in major orders.
-===Meaning of priesthood===
+One of the central differences between the Lutheran churches on the one hand and the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches on the other has been their understanding of the Eucharist.  Lutheran theology does not hold that the Eucharist is a "sacrifice," though it holds a theology of a "real physical, not just spiritual, presence" of Christ in Communion. This difference over the understanding of the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist is an essential component of the differentiation between the denominations of their theology of Holy Orders.
-{{See also|Priesthood (Catholic Church)|Priesthood}}
-The word derives ultimately from the Greek ''presbuteros'' meaning "elder." The [[Church of England]] sees the [[priesthood]] as both a reflection of the ancient [[Temple in Jerusalem|Temple]] priesthood of the [[Jew]]s and the person of [[Jesus]], as does the [[Church of Rome]]. The [[liturgy]] of ordination recalls the [[Old Testament]] priesthood and the priesthood of Christ. In the words of [[Thomas Aquinas]], "Christ is the source of all priesthood:  the priest of the old law was a prefiguration of Christ, and the priest of the new law acts in the person of Christ" ''[[Summa Theologica]]''.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/Summa/402204.htm ''Summa Theologica'' III, 22, 4c] - Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref> See [[Presbyterorum Ordinis]] for the [[Second Vatican Council]] decree on the nature of the Catholic priesthood.
 ===Process and sequence===
-The arrangement given above, "bishops, priests, and deacons" is in the reverse order of ordination. For Catholics, it is typically in the last year of [[seminary]] training that a man will be ordained to the diaconate, called by  Catholics in recent times the "[[transitional diaconate]]" to distinguish men bound for priesthood from those who have entered the "[[permanent diaconate]]" and do not intend to seek further ordination. Deacons, whether transitional or permanent, are licensed to preach sermons (under certain circumstances a permanent deacon may not receive faculties to preach), to perform [[baptism]]s, and to witness [[Catholic marriage]]s, but to perform no other sacraments. They assist at the [[Eucharist]] or the [[mass (liturgy)|Mass]], but are not able to consecrate the bread and wine. Orthodox seminarians are typically tonsured as readers before entering seminary, and may later be made subdeacons or deacons; customs vary between seminaries and between Orthodox jurisdictions.
+[[Image:Priestly ordination.jpg|thumb|260px|left|At priestly ordination the [[bishop]] imposes hands upon the [[deacon]] who is by that matter and the form of the consecratory [[Preface (Liturgy)|preface]] ordained to the [[priesthood]] This is a photograph of the pre-Vatican II rite.]]
+The arrangement given above, "bishops, priests, and deacons" is in the reverse order of ordination. For Catholics, it is typically in the last year of [[seminary]] training that a man will be ordained to the diaconate, called by  Catholics in recent times the "[[transitional diaconate]]" to distinguish men bound for priesthood from those who have entered the "[[permanent diaconate]]" and do not intend to seek further ordination. Deacons, whether transitional or permanent, are licensed to preach sermons (under certain circumstances a permanent deacon may not receive faculties to preach), to perform [[baptism]]s, and to witness [[Catholic marriage]]s, but to perform no other sacraments. They assist at the [[Eucharist]] or the [[mass (liturgy)|Mass]], but are not able to consecrate the bread and wine.
-[[Image:Priestly ordination.jpg|thumb|260px|left|At priestly ordination the [[bishop]] imposes hands upon the [[deacon]] who is by that matter and the form of the consecratory [[Preface (Liturgy)|preface]] ordained to the [[priesthood]].]]
+After six months or more as a transitional deacon a man will be ordained to the priesthood. Priests are able to preach, perform baptisms, confirm, witness marriages, hear confessions and give absolutions, anoint the sick, and celebrate the [[Eucharist]] or the Mass.
-After six months or more as a transitional deacon a man will be ordained to the priesthood. Priests are able to preach, perform baptisms, witness marriages, hear confessions and give absolutions, anoint the sick, and celebrate the [[Eucharist]] or the Mass.
+Orthodox seminarians are typically tonsured as readers before entering seminary, and may later be made subdeacons or deacons; customs vary between seminaries and between Orthodox jurisdictions. Orthodoxy has two types of clergy: married and monastic. Orthodox clergy must either marry or be tonsured as monks prior to ordination to the diaconate (according to some jurisdictions, before the subdiaconate), though some bishops may make [[economia]] (dispensation) to allow a candidate to marry after his ordination to the diaconate. But once a man has been ordained a priest he may not marry. If his wife dies, he may not remarry. Orthodox bishops are taken from among the monks.
-For Anglicans, a person is ordained a [[deacon]] once they have completed their training at a theological college. They then typically serve as a [[curate]] and are ordained as [[priest]] a year later. Deacons must be at least 21 years old, and priests 22. Anglican deacons can preach sermons, perform [[baptism]]s and conduct funerals, but, unlike priests, cannot conduct [[marriage]]s or celebrate the [[Eucharist]]. In most branches of the Anglican church, women can be ordained as priests, and in some, can be ordained a [[bishop]]. Anglican priests have to be at least 30 before they can be chosen to become a bishop.
+For Anglicans, a person is ordained a [[deacon]] once they have completed their training at a theological college. They then typically serve as a [[curate]] and may be ordained as a [[priest]], at the discretion of the bishop, following a period of time. Other deacons may choose to remain in this order.  Anglican deacons can preach sermons, perform [[baptism]]s and conduct funerals, but, unlike priests, cannot conduct [[marriage]]s or celebrate the [[Eucharist]]. In most branches of the Anglican church, women can be ordained as priests, and in some, can be ordained a [[bishop]].
 [[Bishop]]s are chosen from among the priests in churches that adhere to Catholic usage.
-In the Roman Catholic church, bishops, like priests, are celibate and thus unmarried; further, a bishop is said to possess the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders, empowering him to ordain deacons, priests, and- with papal consent-other bishops. If a bishop, especially one acting as an ordinary- a head of a diocese or archdiocese- is to be ordained, three bishops must usually co-consecrate him with one bishop, usually an archbishop or the bishop of the place, being the chief consecrating prelate.    Among Eastern Rite Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, which permit married priests, bishops must either be unmarried or agree to abstain from contact with their wives. It is a common misconception that all such bishops come from [[religious orders]]; while this is generally true, it is not an absolute rule. In the case of both Catholics, Eastern Catholic, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox, they are usually leaders of territorial units called [[diocese]]s.  Only bishops can validly administer the sacrament of holy orders. In [[Latin Rite|Latin-rite]] Catholic churches and also in Anglican churches, only bishops (and priests with authorisation by the local bishop) may lawfully administer the sacrament of confirmation, but if an ordinary priest administers that sacrament illegally, it is nonetheless considered valid, so that the person confirmed cannot be actually confirmed again, by a bishop or otherwise. Latin rite priest with special permission of the diocesan bishop or the Holy See can lawfully administer confirmation; every Catholic priest must administer confirmation, even without permission, to children in danger of death. In [[Eastern Rite Catholic Churches]], confirmation is done by parish priests via the rite of chrismation, and is usually administered to both neonates and adults immediately after their baptism.
+In the Roman Catholic church, bishops, like priests, are celibate and thus unmarried; further, a bishop is said to possess the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders, empowering him to ordain deacons, priests, and- with papal consent-other bishops. If a bishop, especially one acting as an ordinary- a head of a diocese or archdiocese- is to be ordained, three bishops must usually co-consecrate him with one bishop, usually an archbishop or the bishop of the place, being the chief consecrating prelate.
-It has been discussed whether a priest with special faculties and possibly Pontifical (Papal) permission, e.g. an [[abbot]], could validly ordain another male to the priesthood or the diaconate. The opinions of the theologians differ on this issue. Historical precedents indicate, that this may very well be true for abbots and priests in emergency situations. The matter is uncertain though, and most apostolic churches do not accept the validity of ordinations conferred by priests. Prior to the Second Vatican Council, in the [[Roman Catholic Church]] it is a point of discipline and certain faith though, that an abbot, or a regular or diocesan priest with special faculties, could initiate males to the minor orders, including to the subdiaconate.
+Among Eastern Rite Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, which permit married priests, bishops must either be unmarried or agree to abstain from contact with their wives. It is a common misconception that all such bishops come from [[religious orders]]; while this is generally true, it is not an absolute rule. In the case of both Catholics- (Western and) Eastern Catholic, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox, they are usually leaders of territorial units called [[diocese]]s (or its equivalent in the east, an [[eparchy]]).  Only bishops can validly administer the sacrament of holy orders.
+[[Image:Russian Orthodox Episcopal Ordination.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Patriarch Alexius II]] of Moscow and All Russia conferring the Holy Order of bishop upon a Russian Orthodox [[priest]].]]
 ===Recognition of other churches' orders===
-There is mutual recognition of the validity of holy orders among the Eastern Orthodox, Polish National, Oriental Orthodox, and Old Catholic churches and the Assyrian Church of the East as they have maintained the [[apostolic succession]] of bishops, i.e., their bishops claim to be in a line of succession dating back to the [[Twelve apostles|Apostles]], just as Catholic bishops do. Consequently, if a priest of these Churches converts to another, he is generally received as a priest without need for re-ordination.  Similarly the Roman Catholic Church unconditionally recognizes the validity of ordinations in the aforementioned Eastern churches.  Eastern Orthodox bishops can, and frequently do, grant recognition to the holy orders of converts who were earlier ordained in the Catholic Church (though there is much debate in Eastern Orthodoxy about this); that is part of the policy called [[Economy (Eastern Orthodoxy)|church economy]].
+There is mutual recognition of the validity of holy orders among the Eastern Orthodox, Polish National, Oriental Orthodox, and Old Catholic churches and the Assyrian Church of the East as they have maintained the [[apostolic succession]] of bishops, i.e., their bishops claim to be in a line of succession dating back to the [[Twelve apostles|Apostles]], just as Catholic and Anglican bishops do. Consequently, if a priest of these Churches converts to another, he is generally received as a priest without need for re-ordination.  Similarly the Roman Catholic Church unconditionally recognizes the validity of ordinations in the aforementioned Eastern churches.  Eastern Orthodox bishops can, and frequently do, grant recognition to the holy orders of converts who were earlier ordained in the Catholic Church (though there is much debate in Eastern Orthodoxy about this); that is part of the policy called [[Economy (Eastern Orthodoxy)|church economy]].
-Some [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] churches, unlike Protestant churches, claim to maintain apostolic succession<ref>[http://www.ucl.ac.uk/~ucgbmxd/patriarc.htm Encyclical on Anglican Orders] - Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref> although this is not even recognised by evangelical Anglicans.  The succession of Anglican bishops is however, not universally recognized. The Catholic Church judged Anglican orders invalid when [[Pope Leo XIII]] in 1896, wrote in ''[[Apostolicae Curae]]'' that Anglican orders lack validity because the rite by which priests were ordained was not correctly performed from 1547 to 1553 and from 1558 to the [[19th century]], thus causing a break of continuity in apostolic succession. Leo XIII condemned the Anglican ordinals and deemed the Anglican orders ''"absolutely null and utterly void"''. [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox]] bishops have, on occasion, granted "economy" when Anglican priests convert to Orthodoxy. Changes in the Anglican Ordinal since King [[Edward VI of England|Edward VI]], and a fuller appreciation of the pre-[[Reformation]] ordinals suggest that the correctness of the enduring dismissal of Anglican Orders may be questioned. In order to reduce doubt concerning Anglican apostolic succession, since the 1930 [[Bonn agreement (religion)|Bonn agreement]] many Anglican bishops have been consecrated by bishops of the [[Old Catholic]] Church whose holy orders are recognised by the [[Holy See]]. However this "restoration" would according to Catholic understanding only be possible, if the Old Catholic bishops involved would use a consecratory preface which used either the words ''"fullness of Thy ministry"'' or ''"fullness of the priesthood"'', or words similar to these expressions. Therefore, all Anglican clergymen who desire to enter the Roman Catholic Church are still re-ordained, at least conditionally, but often even absolutely.
+[[Anglicanism|Anglican]] churches, unlike Protestant churches, claim to maintain apostolic succession.<ref>[http://www.ucl.ac.uk/~ucgbmxd/patriarc.htm The Ecumenical Patriarch on Anglican Orders<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>   The succession of Anglican bishops is however, not universally recognized. The Roman Catholic Church judged Anglican orders invalid when [[Pope Leo XIII]] in 1896, wrote in ''[[Apostolicae Curae]]'' that Anglican orders lack validity because the rite by which priests were ordained was not correctly performed from [[1547]] to [[1553]] and from [[1558]] to the time of Archbishop [[William Laud]], thus causing a break of continuity in apostolic succession. [[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Orthodox]] bishops have, on occasion, granted "economy" when Anglican priests convert to Orthodoxy. Changes in the Anglican Ordinal since King [[Edward VI of England|Edward VI]], and a fuller appreciation of the pre-[[Reformation]] ordinals suggest that the correctness of the enduring dismissal of Anglican Orders may be questioned. In order to reduce doubt concerning Anglican apostolic succession, since the [[1930]] [[Bonn agreement (religion)|Bonn agreement]] many Anglican bishops have been consecrated by bishops of the [[Old Catholic]] Church whose holy orders are recognised by the [[Holy See]].
-Catholics do not recognize the validity of ordinations of ministers in [[Protestant]] churches that do not maintain the apostolic succession. It also does not recognize the apostolic succession of ([[high church]]) Lutheran Protestant denominations.
+Neither Roman Catholics nor Anglicans recognize the validity of ordinations of ministers in [[Protestant]] churches that do not maintain the apostolic succession. Rome also does not recognize the apostolic succession of ([[high church]]) Lutheran Protestant denominations.
 Anglicans accept the ordinations of those denominations in full communion with the Anglican Communion such as some [[Lutheran]] denominations.  They may preside at services requiring a priest if one is not available.
@@ Line 56: / Line 60: @@
 ===Marriage and holy orders===
-{{seealso|Christian views of marriage}}
+{{see also|Clerical celibacy|Clerical celibacy (Catholic Church)}}
 The rules discussed in this section are not considered to be among the infallible dogmas of the Catholic Church, but are mutable rules of discipline. See [[clerical celibacy]] for a more detailed discussion.
 Married men may be ordained to the diaconate as Permanent Deacons, but in the [[Latin Rite]] of the  [[Roman Catholic Church]] generally may not be ordained to the priesthood. In the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] and in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] married deacons may be ordained priests, but may not become bishops. Bishops in the Eastern Rites and the Eastern Orthodox churches are almost always drawn from among [[Monasticism|monks]], who have taken a vow of celibacy. They may be widowers, though; it is not required of them never to have been married.
-In some cases widowed permanent deacons have been ordained to the priesthood.  There have been some situations in which men previously married and ordained to the priesthood in an [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] church or in a [[Lutheran]] Protestant church have been ordained to the Catholic priesthood, sometimes [[sub conditione]] (conditionally), and allowed to function much as an Eastern Rite priest but in a Latin Rite setting; however, this may only happen with the approval of the priest's Bishop and a special permission by the Pope.
+In some cases widowed permanent deacons have been ordained to the priesthood.  There have been some situations in which men previously married and ordained to the priesthood in an [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] church or in a [[Lutheran]] Protestant church have been ordained to the Catholic priesthood - never [[sub conditione]] (conditionally), as there is no recognised true priesthood in the Protestant denominations - and allowed to function much as an Eastern Rite priest but in a Latin Rite setting; however, this may only happen with the approval of the priest's Bishop and a special permission by the Pope.
 Anglican clergy may be married and may marry after ordination.
-=== Chastity and celibacy ===
-{{Main|Clerical celibacy|Clerical celibacy (Catholic Church)}}
-There is a difference between '''chastity''' and '''celibacy'''. [[Celibacy]] is the state of not being married, so a [[clerical celibacy|promise of celibacy]] is a promise not to enter into marriage but instead to consecrate one's life to service (in other words, "married to God").  [[Chastity]], a virtue extolled by Scripture and the Apostolic Fathers, is the state of sexual purity;  for a vowed celibate, or for the single person, chastity means the avoidance of sex.  For the married person, chastity means the practice of sex ''only'' with the spouse, and can carry the expectation of intercourse with the spouse that is open to [[reproduction]].
-Traditionally, celibacy was the male counterpart to female  virginity.  Implying that the celibate was not only not married, but that he had never been married.  That usage is no longer common today.
 == Other concepts of ordination ==
@@ Line 76: / Line 74: @@
 === Methodist churches ===
-The American [[Methodist]] model is an episcopal system loosely based upon the Anglican model and was first devised under the leadership of Bishops [[Thomas Coke (Methodist)|Thomas Coke]] and [[Francis Asbury]] of the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]] in the late 18th century. In this approach, an [[Elder (religious)|elder]] (or "presbyter") is ordained to word (preaching and teaching), sacrament (administering Baptism and the Lord's Supper), order (administering the life of the church and, in the case of bishops, ordaining others for mission and ministry), and service; a [[deacon]] is someone who is ordained to word and service.
+The American [[Methodist]] model an is episcopal system loosely based Anglican model and was first devised under the leadership of Bishops [[Thomas Coke (Methodist)|Thomas Coke]] and [[Francis Asbury]] of the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]] in the late 18th century. In this approach, an [[Elder (religious)|elder]] (or "presbyter") is ordained to word (preaching and teaching), sacrament (administering Baptism and the Lord's Supper), order (administering the life of the church and, in the case of bishops, ordaining others for mission and ministry), and service; a [[deacon]] is someone who is ordained to word and service.
-In the [[United Methodist Church]], for instance, seminary graduates are examined and approved by the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and then the Clergy Session, at which time they are accepted as "probationary members of the conference" and then commissioned by the resident Bishop to full time ministry.  This is referred to as receiving "deacon's orders," and probationary ministers hold the title of deacon.  (Before 1996, the graduate was ordained as a transitional deacon at this point, a provisional role which has since been done away with; the order of deacon is now a separate and distinct clergy office in the United Methodist Church.) After serving the probationary period consisting of a minimum of two years, the probationer is then examined again and either continued on probation, discontinued altogether, or approved for ordination. Upon final approval by the Clergy Session of the Conference, the probationer becomes a full member of the Conference and is then ordained as an elder or deacon by the resident Bishop.  This commonly known as receiving "elder's orders;" and probationer is known as an elder minister.
+In the [[United Methodist Church]], for instance, seminary graduates are examined and approved by the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and then the Clergy Session, at which time they are accepted as "probationary members of the conference" and then commissioned by the resident Bishop to full time ministry.  This is referred to as receiving "deacon's orders", and probationary ministers hold the title of deacon.  (Before 1996, the graduate was ordained as a transitional deacon at this point, a provisional role which has since been done away with; the order of deacon is now a separate and distinct clergy office in the United Methodist Church.) After serving the probationary period consisting of a minimum of two years, the probationer is then examined again and either continued on probation, discontinued altogether, or approved for ordination. Upon final approval by the Clergy Session of the Conference, the probationer becomes a full member of the Conference and is then ordained as an elder or deacon by the resident Bishop.  This commonly known as receiving "elder's orders;" and probationer is known as an elder minister.
 At the present time, the British Methodist Conference does not have bishops but just the two distinct orders of presbyter and deacon.
@@ Line 100: / Line 98: @@
 ===Latter Day Saint Movement===
 ==== The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ====
-{{Main|Priesthood (Mormonism)}}
+{{Main|Priesthood (LDS)}}
 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a relatively open priesthood, ordaining nearly all adult males and boys of the age of twelve and older. Latter-day Saint priesthood consists of two orders: the Melchizedek and Aaronic. The offices, or ranks, of the Melchizedek order (in roughly descending order) include apostle, seventy, patriarch, high priest, and elder. The offices of the Aaronic order are bishop, priest, teacher, and deacon. The manner of ordination consists of the laying on of hands by one or more men holding at least the office being conferred while one acts as voice in conferring the priesthood and/or office and usually pronounces a blessing upon the recipient. Teachers and deacons do not have the authority to ordain others to the priesthood. All church members are authorized to teach and preach regardless of priesthood ordination so long as they maintain good standing within the church. The church does not use the term "holy orders."
@@ Line 107: / Line 105: @@
 {{Main|Priesthood (Community of Christ)}}
-Community of Christ has a largely volunteer priesthood, and all members of the priesthood are free to marry (as traditionally defined by the Christian community).  The priesthood is divided into two orders, the Order of Aaron, and the Order of Melchisedec (commonly known as the Aaronic priesthood or Aaronic Order; and the Melchisedec priesthood or Melchisedec Order).  The Aaronic order is the “lesser priesthood” and the Melchisedec order is the “greater priesthood.”  The Aaronic order consists of the offices of deacon, teacher and priest.  The Melchisedec Order consists of the offices of elder (including the specialized office of seventy) and high priest (including the specialized offices of evangelist, bishop, apostle, & prophet).  The Melchisedec priesthood is also commonly termed the “high priesthood,” but as noted, not all members of this priesthood are actually high priests.  Paid ministers include “appointees” and the general officers of the church, which include some specialized priesthood offices (such as the office of president, reserved for the three top members of the church leadership team).  As of 1984, women have been eligible for priesthood, which is conferred through the sacrament of ordination, by virtue of the laying-on-of-hands.  While there is technically no age requirement for any office of priesthood, there is no automatic ordination or progression as in the LDS Church.  Young people are occasionally ordained as deacon, and sometimes teacher or priest, but generally most priesthood members are called following completion of post secondary school education.  Priesthood offices are not generally termed “orders of priesthood,” but certain offices constitute orders.  For example, all bishops belong to the Order of Bishops.  All evangelists belong to the Order of Evangelists.  Other offices belong to quorums (seventies and high priests) or councils (apostles).  The three presidents of the church form the First Presidency, which is sometimes termed council, and other times termed quorum.  Deacons, teachers, priests and elders do not belong to permanent bodies, but may organize local quorums for all members of a given office within a particular city or region.  In March 2007 a woman was ordained for the first time to the office of president.
+Community of Christ has a largely volunteer priesthood, and all members of the priesthood are free to marry (as traditionally defined by the Christian community).  The priesthood is divided into two orders, the Order of Aaron, and the Order of Melchisedec (commonly known as the Aaronic priesthood or Aaronic Order; and the Melchisedec priesthood or Melchisedec Order).  The Aaronic order is the “lesser priesthood” and the Melchisedec order is the “greater priesthood”.  The Aaronic order consists of the offices of deacon, teacher and priest.  The Melchisedec Order consists of the offices of elder (including the specialized office of seventy) and high priest (including the specialized offices of evangelist, bishop, apostle, & prophet).  The Melchisedec priesthood is also commonly termed the “high priesthood”, but as noted, not all members of this priesthood are actually high priests.  Paid ministers include “appointees” and the general officers of the church, which include some specialized priesthood offices (such as the office of president, reserved for the three top members of the church leadership team).  As of 1984, women have been eligible for priesthood, which is conferred through the sacrament of ordination, by virtue of the laying-on-of-hands.  While there is technically no age requirement for any office of priesthood, there is no automatic ordination or progression as in the LDS Church.  Young people are occasionally ordained as deacon, and sometimes teacher or priest, but generally most priesthood members are called following completion of post secondary school education.  Priesthood offices are not generally termed “orders of priesthood”, but certain offices constitute orders.  For example, all bishops belong to the Order of Bishops.  All evangelists belong to the Order of Evangelists.  Other offices belong to quorums (seventies and high priests) or councils (apostles).  The three presidents of the church form the First Presidency, which is sometimes termed council, and other times termed quorum.  Deacons, teachers, priests and elders do not belong to permanent bodies, but may organize local quorums for all members of a given office within a particular city or region.  In March 2007 a woman was ordained for the first time to the office of president.
 === Non-traditional organizations ===
 The non-authoritarian religious denominations, such as the [[Universal Life Church]], prefer to empower their clergy by minimizing the impediments to those that feel the calling to make a spiritual connection to the cosmos. Reducing the barriers to performing religious ceremonies these denominations encourage those who within the general population to  realize spiritual experience. By enabling friends or relatives to perform ceremonies like marriages, organizations that offer online ordination demystify and integrate religious understanding into lives of the otherwise nonreligious public.
+Other unaffiliated religious organizations, such as Rose Ministries<ref>[http://roseministries.org/]Rose Ministries</ref>, feel that everyone has the right to the distinction of being ordained who show a willingness to pursue and share the truth. Their ordination process is one way of accommodating this belief.
+Still others, such as Spiritual Humanism<ref>[ http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/]Spiritual Humanism</ref>, believe that religion must be able to adapt to new knowledge about the universe without rejecting the deep spiritual connections to human history and the natural world that we are a part of, and that all humans have an inalienable right and duty to practice their own religious traditions.
 == Ordination of women ==
 {{Main|Ordination of women}}
-The Roman Catholic Church does not ordain women to any of the orders and has officially declared that it does not have authority to ordain women as priests or bishops.  Ordaining women as deacons, however,  appears to remain a possibility, but not in any sacramental sense of the diaconate.  Many Orthodox, Old Catholic, Anglican and Protestant churches ordain women, but in many cases, only to the office of deacon or deaconess.  Whether the Catholic Church historically ordained, or simply "set apart," women as deaconesses is a matter of theological and historical investigation.  Various branches of the Orthodox churches, including the Greek Orthodox, currently ordain woman as deaconesses. Some churches are internally divided on whether it is scripturally permissible to ordain women.  When one considers the relative size of the churches (1.1 billion Roman Catholics, 300 million Orthodox, 590 million Anglicans and Protestants), it is a minority of Christian churches that ordain women. Protestants constitute about 27 percent of Christians worldwide and most which do ordain women have only done so within the past century.
+The Roman Catholic Church does not ordain women to any of the orders and has officially declared that it does not have authority to ordain women as priests or bishops.  Ordaining women as deacons, however,  appears to remain a possibility, but not in any sacramental sense of the diaconate.  Many Orthodox, Old Catholic, Anglican and Protestant churches ordain women, but in many cases, only to the office of deacon or deaconess.  Whether the Catholic Church historically ordained, or simply "set apart", women as deaconesses is a matter of theological and historical investigation.  Various branches of the Orthodox churches, including the Greek Orthodox, currently ordain woman as deaconesses. Some churches are internally divided on whether it is scripturally permissible to ordain women.  When one considers the relative size of the churches (1.1 billion Roman Catholics, 300 million Orthodox, 590 million Anglicans and Protestants), it is a minority of Christian churches that ordain women. Protestants constitute about 27 percent of Christians worldwide and most which do ordain women have only done so within the past century.
-In some traditions women may theoretically be ordained to the same orders as men.  In others women are restricted from certain offices.  The [[Church of England]] (in the [[Anglican Communion]]), for example, does not permit the [[consecration]] of women as bishops.  Similarly, in some Protestant denominations, women may serve as assistant pastors but not as pastors in charge of congregations.  In some denominations women can be ordained to be an [[Elder (religious)|elder]] or [[deacon]].  Some denominations allow for the ordination of women for certain religious orders.  Within certain traditions, such as the Anglican and Lutheran, there is a diversity of theology and practice regarding ordination of women.
+In some traditions women may theoretically be ordained to the same orders as men.  In others women are restricted from certain offices.  The [[Church of England]] (in the [[Anglican Communion]]), for example, does not permit the [[consecration]] of women as bishops, though the Episcopal Church USA (the United States denomination that is part of the Anglican Communion) does.  Similarly, in some Protestant denominations, women may serve as assistant pastors but not as pastors in charge of congregations.  In some denominations women can be ordained to be an [[Elder (religious)|elder]] or [[deacon]].  Some denominations allow for the ordination of women for certain religious orders.  Within certain traditions, such as the Anglican and Lutheran, there is a diversity of theology and practice regarding ordination of women.
-The [[Roman Catholic Church]], in accordance with its understanding of the theological tradition on the issue, and the definitive  clarification of the issue found in the encyclical letter ''[[Ordinatio Sacerdotalis]]'' (1994) written by [[Pope John Paul II]] in 1994, officially teaches that it has no authority to [[ordain]] women as priests and thus the possibility of female priests is unlikely in the foreseeable future if ever, even íf the majority of Roman Catholics were to be in favour.
+The [[Roman Catholic Church]], in accordance with its understanding of the theological tradition on the issue, and the definitive  clarification of the issue found in the encyclical letter ''[[Ordinatio Sacerdotalis]]'' ([[1994]]) written by [[Pope John Paul II]] in 1994, officially teaches that it has no authority to [[ordain]] women as priests and thus there is no possibility of female priests at any time in the future.
 == Ordination of homosexuals ==
 {{CAH}}
 :''See also [[Homosexuality in the Roman Catholic priesthood]] and [[Homosexuality and Christianity]]''
-The [[Metropolitan Community Church|Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches]] is the most prominent [[United States of America|American]] denomination with an '''official''' stance allowing non-celibate [[homosexuality|gays and lesbians]] to be ordained. Smaller denominations, like the [[Liberal Catholic Church]] and the [[Swedenborgian Church of North America]] also do so. The [[United Church of Christ]], because of its decentralized model, allows such ordinations out of default since there are no official denomination-wide stances on [[doctrine]]. In the [[Episcopal Church USA]] bishops in some dioceses ordain non-celibate gays and lesbians, while those in others do not; the ordination of homosexuals is highly controversial in the wider [[Anglican Communion]]. Most of the mainline Protestant denominations, such as the [[Presbyterian Church USA]], the [[Moravian Church]], and the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA)]], are openly discussing the issue. The [[United Church of Canada]] and the [[Uniting Church in Australia]] already welcome gays and lesbians in permanent partnerships in the ordained ministry. The [[United Methodist Church]] has also been discussing the issue for many years, but its official position continues to deny ordination to "Self-Avowed Practicing Homosexuals."  In theory, a homosexual who is celibate is a fit candidate for ordination within the United Methodist Church, but in practice this rarely happens.
+The [[Metropolitan Community Church|Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches]] is the most prominent [[United States of America|American]] denomination with an '''official''' stance allowing non-celibate [[homosexuality|gays and lesbians]] to be ordained. Smaller denominations, like the [[Liberal Catholic Church]], the [[Swedenborgian Church of North America]] and the [[Apostolic Johannite Church]] also do so. The [[United Church of Christ]], because of its decentralized model, allows such ordinations out of default since there are no official denomination-wide stances on [[doctrine]]. In the [[Episcopal Church USA]] bishops in some dioceses ordain non-celibate gays and lesbians, while those in others do not; the ordination of homosexuals is highly controversial in the wider [[Anglican Communion]]. Most of the mainline Protestant denominations, such as the [[Presbyterian Church USA]], the [[Moravian Church]], and the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA)]], are openly discussing the issue. The [[United Church of Canada]] and the [[Uniting Church in Australia]] already welcome gays and lesbians in permanent partnerships in the ordained ministry. The [[United Methodist Church]] has also been discussing the issue for many years, but its official position continues to deny ordination to "Self-Avowed Practicing Homosexuals."  In theory, a homosexual who is celibate is a fit candidate for ordination within the [[United Methodist Church]], but in practice this rarely happens.
 Controversy associated with the consecration of [[Gene Robinson]] to the order of [[bishop]] in the [[Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire]], and the planned consecration of [[Jeffrey John]] (who was to be ordained [[Bishop of Reading]]) in the [[Church of England]], led to the formation of the Eames Commission by the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], spiritual head of the [[Anglican Communion]].  Its findings, published as the [[Windsor Report]], recommended that the consecration of individuals in same-sex relationships as bishops cease, although it conspicuosly avoided discussing gays and lesbians ordered as priests and deacons.  In response, the Episcopal Church placed a moratorium on confirming the consecrations of ''all'' bishops.
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 In many churches this is a very volatile issue, as is the ordination of women in many churches.  It is not likely that a resolution will be swift. Within mainline churches the [[Confessing Movement]] has been a vehicle for the opposition to the ordination of non-celibate gays and lesbians.
-The [[Roman Catholic Church]] allows the ordination of men who have, in the past, experienced [[Homosexuality|same sex attraction]], but only on the condition that they have lived without engaging in homosexual culture or acts for several years and can be psychologically verfied as having their same-sex attraction under control.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_20051104_istruzione_en.html Full text of the 2005 Vatican document on ordaining homosexuals into the priesthood] - Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref> Previously ordination of these homosexually inclined males was strictly forbidden, even though this discipline was often not observed by local bishops after the 1960s.
+The [[Roman Catholic Church]] allows the ordination of men who have, in the past, experienced [[Homosexuality|same sex attraction]], but only on the condition that they have lived without engaging in homosexual culture or acts for several years and can be psychologically verfied as having their same-sex attraction under control.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_20051104_istruzione_en.html Full text of the 2005 Vatican document on ordaining homosexuals into the priesthood]</ref> Previously ordination of these homosexually inclined males was strictly forbidden, even though this discipline was often not observed by local bishops after the [[1960s]].
+[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] only ordains men to the [[Priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|priesthood]] that have covenanted [[Law of chastity|not to have sex]] with anyone besides their wife.  Some gay men have chosen to remain celibate, while others have chosen to [[Homosexuality and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints#Marriage for homosexuals|get married]].<ref>Moore, Carrie A. [http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660207378,00.html Gay LDS men detail challenges] March 30, 2007.  Deseret Morning News</ref>  However, a man must be married in order to become a [[Bishop (Latter Day Saints)|bishop]], regardless of orientation.<ref> [http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=27f71f1dd189f010VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD&vgnextchannel=726511154963d010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD Interview with Elder Oaks and Wickman]</ref>  Transgendered persons who were born men may only receive the priesthood if they have not had, and are not planning to have an operation.(1999 Church handbook.)  Women are not ordained to the priesthood.
+==Footnotes==
+{{reflist}}
+== Print resources ==
+* Campbell, Dennis. ''Yoke of Obedience'', 1988. ISBN 0-687-46660-1
+* [[Thomas Oden|Oden, Thomas]]. ''Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry'', 1983. ISBN 0-06-066353-7
+* [[William Willimon|Willimon, William]]. ''Calling & Character: Virtues of the Ordained Life'', 2000. ISBN 0-687-09033-4
+* [[William Willimon|Willimon, William]]. ''Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry'', 2002. ISBN 0-687-04532-0
+== External links ==
+* [http://www.catholic-vocations.com Old Catholic Vocations Website]
+* [http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Sacraments/HolyOrders.asp Priesthood - Catholic Sacrament of Holy Orders - Ordination]
+* [http://www.gbhem.org/ResourceLibrary/stepord.pdf The Steps to Orders in The United Methodist Church] (PDF)
+* [http://www.revneal.org/Writings/eldersorders.html Elder's Orders in the UMC: The Disciplinary Questions and Sample Answers] by Gregory S. Neal
-[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] only ordains men to the [[Priesthood (Latter Day Saints)|priesthood]] that have covenanted [[Law of chastity|not to have sex]] with anyone besides their wife.  Some gay men have chosen to remain celibate, while others have chosen to [[Homosexuality and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints#Marriage for homosexuals|get married]].<ref>[http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660207378,00.html Gay LDS men detail challenges] - Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref>  However, a man must be married in order to become a [[Bishop (Latter Day Saints)|bishop]], regardless of orientation.<ref> [http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=27f71f1dd189f010VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD&vgnextchannel=726511154963d010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD Interview with Elder Oaks and Wickman] - Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref>  Transgenders who were born men may only receive the priesthood if they have not had, and are not planning to have an operation.(1999 Church handbook.)  Women are not ordained to the priesthood.
+{{Catholicism}}
 ==Footnotes==
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 [[Category:religion]]
-{{credits|161093853}}
+{{credits|216007967}}