
Holy Orders in the modern Roman Catholic Church and in the Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and Anglicanism churches, includes three degrees: bishop, priest, and deacon. Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches believe that Holy Orders is a sacrament, while Anglicans are divided on this matter. Other Protestantism Christian denomination have varied conceptions of the church offices, but none of them considers ordination a sacrament, and some would not consider their Religious minister in terms of holy orders. Roman Catholic dogma counts Holy Orders among three Catholic sacraments that make an indelible mark called a sacramental character on the recipient's soul (the other two are baptism and confirmation (sacrament)). Some non-Catholics, perhaps especially Anglicans, also use the term ''episcopal character'' to refer to the status of a bishop. The Eastern Orthodox Church has two minor orders, those of 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. In former times, the Roman Catholic church also had four minor orders along with the major orders 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 after the Second Vatican Council. Such titles as ''Cardinal (Catholicism)'', ''Monsignor'', ''Archbishop'', etc., are ''not'' sacramental orders. These are simply offices; to receive one of those titles is ''not'' an instance of the sacrament of Holy Orders. == Definitions == The word "holy" simply means "set apart for some purpose." The word ''ordo'' (order, in Latin) designated an established civil body or corporation with a hierarchy, and ''ordinatio'' meant legal incorporation into an ''ordo.'' In context, therefore, a Holy Order is simply a group with a hierarchy that is set apart for ministry in the Church. == Episcopal concept of ordination == The episcopalian church governance (from the Greek language ''episkopos'', meaning "overseer" and from which we get the word "bishop") form of church government is followed by the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches, and the Anglican Churches and centers around the hierarchy of bishops. === Meaning of priesthood === The word "priest" either derives ultimately from the Greek ''presbuteros'' meaning "elder" or the Latin ''praepositus'' meaning "superintendent." The Catholic church sees the priesthood as both a reflection of the ancient temple priesthood of the Jews and the person of Jesus. The liturgy of ordination recalls the Old Testament priesthood and the priesthood of Christ. In the words of Saint 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'' [http://www.newadvent.org/Summa/402204.htm III, 22, 4c]. 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 Roman Catholics, it is typically in the last year of seminary training that a man will be ordained to the diaconate, called by Roman 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, to perform baptisms, and to witness marriages, but to perform no other sacraments. They may assist at the Eucharist or the Mass, but are not the ministers of the Eucharist. 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. 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. 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 23 years old, and priests 24. 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, but usually cannot be ordained a bishop. Anglican priests have to be at least 30 before they can be chosen to become a bishop. Bishop are chosen from among the priests in churches that adhere to Roman Catholic usage. Among Eastern Rite Catholic & 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 a rule. In the case of both Roman Catholics & Orthodox, they are usually leaders of territorial units called diocese. Only bishops can validly administer the sacrament of holy orders. In Latin Rite Catholic churches and Anglican churches, only bishops (and priests with authorisation by the 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 confirmed again, by a bishop or otherwise. In Eastern Rites 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. === Recognition of other churches' orders === Roman Catholics recognize the validity of holy orders administered in Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches because they believe those churches 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 bishops do. Consequently, if a priest of one of those eastern churches converts to Catholicism, he is automatically a Catholic priest. 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 the Orthodox Church about this); that is part of the policy called Economy (Eastern Orthodoxy). Anglicanism churches, unlike most Protestant churches, maintain the succession, their bishops being successors of English bishops who converted to Protestantism in the 16th century. A controversy in the Catholic church over the question of whether Anglican holy orders are valid was dogmatically settled by Pope Leo XIII in 1896, who wrote that Anglican orders lack validity because the rite by which priests are ordained is not correctly performed. Eastern Orthodox bishops have, on occasion, granted "economy" when Anglican priests convert to Orthodoxy. Catholics do not recognize ordination of ministers in Protestant churches that do not maintain the apostolic succession. Anglicans accept the ordination of most mainline denominations, however only those denominations in full communion with the Anglican Communion such as some Lutheran denominations, may preside over services requiring a cleric. === Marriage and holy orders === The rules discussed in this section are not considered to be among the infallible dogmas of the Roman 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 Catholicism may not be ordained to the priesthood. In the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church 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 drawn only from among Monasticism, who have taken a vow of celibacy. They may be widowers, though; it is not required of them to never have been married. There are cases of permanent deacons who, left widowed by the death of a wife, have been ordained to the priesthood. There have been some situations in which men previously married and ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican Church have been ordained to the Catholic priesthood and allowed to function much as an Eastern Rite priest but in a Latin Rite setting. === Chastity and celibacy === There is a difference between chastity and celibacy. Celibacy is the state of not being married, so a clerical 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 expected of all Christians, 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. == 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 and prayer over them. === Methodist churches === The Methodist model is loosely based upon the Anglican model and was first devised under the leadership of Thomas Coke (Methodist) and Francis Asbury in the late 18th century. In this scheme, an Elder (religious) is ordained to word (preaching and teaching), sacrament (administering baptism and the Lord's Supper), and order (ordaining others), and a deacon is someone who is ordained to word and service. In the United Methodist Church, for instance, seminary graduates are interviewed 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. (At one time, the graduate was ordained as a deacon at this point, a provisional role which has since been done away with; the Diaconal order is now a separate and distinct Laity office in the United Methodist Church.) After serving the probationary period consisting of a minimum of three years, the probationer is then interviewed again and either continued on probation, discontinued altogether, or approved. 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. === Presbyterian churches === Presbyterian churches, following their Scotland 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 [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+1.5-9 Titus 1.5-9] and [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim+3.2-7 I Tim. 3.2-7]). While there is an increasing authority with each level of gathering of elders ('Kirk Session' over a congregation (worship), 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 sit. Elders are usually chosen at their local level, either elected by the congregation and approved by the Kirk Session, or appointed directly by the Kirk 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 regared simply as Presbyters ordained to a different function, but in practice provide the leadership for local Kirk Session. Some presbyterians identify those appointed (by the laying on of hands) to serve in practical ways ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+6.1-7 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, unlke 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 used. === Congregationalist churches === Congregationalist church governance 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. === Online Ordination === The non-authoritarian religious denominations such as Spiritual Humanism, and 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. == Ordination of women == :''Main article: Ordination of women'' Many, but not all, denominations in Christendom allow the ordination of women. Notable denominations who ordain women in the USA include Episcopal Church in the United States of America, Presbyterian Church USA, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the United Church of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the United Methodist Church although there are others. Many of the same denominations ordain women throughout the world. For example, the majority of the Anglican Communion, in theory allows for the ordination of women. In the listed denominations, ordination to priest/minister, bishop, elder (religious), or deacon is allowed. In other denominations, women can be ordained to be an elder or deacon. Some denominations allow for the ordination of women for certain religious orders. Many denominations have divided or united around the issue of ordination of women. Also, several of the denominations that openly ordain women have broadened their ordinations to include homosexuals. == Ordination of homosexuals == === Judaism === The ordination of homosexuals as Rabbi is an issue being dealt with in nearly all sects of Judaism. Often this issue is dealt with by Conservative Judaism and Reform Judaism, although not exclusively. The most noted openly homosexual rabbi is Rabbi Steven Greenberg, Rabbi. [http://www.tremblingbeforeg-d.com/ Trembling Before G-D] is a documentary dealing with homosexuality and Orthodox Judaism. === Christianity === The United Church of Christ and the Metropolitan Community Churches are the only United States of America denominations with an official stance allowing homosexuals to be ordained. Other denominations such as Episcopal Church in the United States of America have openly ordained homosexuals. Some denominations allow for these ordained to be in union with their partners. Other denominations require a vow of celibacy. Most of the mainline protestant denominations are openly discussing the issue such as the Presbyterian Church USA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Recently the ordination of Gene Robinson to the order of bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, and the near ordination of Jeffrey John (was to be ordained Bishop of Reading) in the Church of England have caused a stir in the Anglican Communion, as not all provinces approve of such actions. The ordination of homosexuals is not a new thing, but the open ordination has come to light. Often those who were homosexual 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 Gene 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. === Humanist === Humanist and other rationalist religious organizations recognize and affirm the right of celbrants who are consenting adults to enter into relationships with other consenting adults regardless of their sexual orientation or gender. ==Print Resources== *Campbell, Dennis. ''Yoke of Obedience'', 1988. ISBN 0687466601 *Thomas Oden. ''Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry'', 1983. ISBN 0060663537 *William Willimon. ''Calling & Character: Virtues of the Ordained Life'', 2000. ISBN 0687090334 *William Willimon. ''Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry'', 2002. ISBN 0687045320 == See also == * Clergy * Homosexuality in the Roman Catholic priesthood * Ordination of women == External links == * [http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Sacraments/HolyOrders.asp Priesthood - Catholic Sacrament of Holy Orders - Ordination] * [http://www.spiritualhumanism.org Church of Spiritual Humanism] * [http://www.firstpresby.org/womenelders.htm Women Elders] * [http://www.gbhem.org/ResourceLibrary/stepord.pdf The Steps to Orders in The United Methodist Church] (PDF) Roman Catholic Church Offices Seven sacraments Christian leaders Christianity Sacraments
What about Holy Orders in Eastern Orthodoxy? Or Holy Orders in Anglicanism? This is Wikipedia. Put in a subhead and start typing. I started with what I know best, and people added things. (Notice that the entry makes no claims to completeness even for Catholicism - it says 'in modern Catholicism'. I hope we'll get the history eventually). --MichaelTinkler :I would -- except I don't know anything about them, and I am too lazy to do any research myself :) I was just hoping someone else might know, and chime in... ----- The article says: :Not all priests have lived up to these ideals: see Catholic priests' sex abuse scandal. Catholic priests have broken every commandment. There have been mass murderers among them, serial adulterers, thieves and con-artists. In past centuries indulgences (forgiveness) was sold. And what about the Spanish Inquisition? Yet several articles about the Catholic Church here at Wikipedia mention none of that but with unseemly prurient interest they mention at the slightest excuse the recent sex abuse scandals. I am inclined to remove the remark I have quoted. Would I be right to do so? User:Psb777 11:32, 30 Jan 2004 (UTC) On the subject of Holy Orders in the Eastern Orthodox Church there is an error, though one that is commonly made, and is even in some books. The article says that one is tonsured to the rank of reader and subdeacon, and this phrase is used in common speech, though it is not technically correct. The tonsure occures prior to the ordination of a man to the rank of reader. He is ordained a reader by the laying on of hand of the celebrant ( which is normally a bishop, though for these lesser orders an archimandrite or abbot may perform this ordination). The ordinand is then latter ordained to the rank of subdeacon by laying of of hands. In the Greek a distinction is made in these two types of ordinations. The lesser form is called chirothesis ( for minor orders) and the greater one is called chirotony ( for major orders). This may be an arcane point, but it is very significant and I would like to hear some feedback before I make any changes. I am new and I don't wish to step on any toes. --User:Frmaximos 03:50, Sep 10, 2004 (UTC) == problem with researching religion == people make the hugest emphases on the smallest details, therefore making it nearly impossible to absorb everything they say. to put it bluntly, its extremely boring. im doing a project on the history of religious orders and i nearly fall asleep when reading pages about it. i wish everything could be more clear and concise. on christianity- yes there are many faults with the religion, for example, if God created adam and eve, and they were perfect, why did they eat the forbidden fruit (which is never identified as an apple in the bible). we also come to the question why is there evil in the world? if god is a loving being why did he put evil in the world and why does he allow the innocent to die (helpless babies etc.) yes of course there is the common saying that it was meant to happen, but who wants a god that ordains the death of their family? these same imperfections plague the church as well. we cant expect them to be perfect because they are human. to me, christianity is an example of how powerful the mind is, if you catch my drift. look at what we can make ourselves believe. to make it fair, this is applicable to all religions, excluding buddhism. buddhism has been called the "perfection of natural religion", one that focuses on the power found inside of ones self instead of outside in some nonexistent (opinion) being. some philisophical questions what is truth what is evil can god create a rock he cant lift? my name is Sky, skyd@culver.org, aim:culverpolopimp feel free to respond. by the way, as i have just learned anyone can make a post on this page by clicking the plus (+) tab at the top of the page. TUESDAY OCTOBER 19th 2004 == Ordination for Women == In today's evangelistic organizations, women are ordained as a matter of course. All it takes is a desire to be a minister and a willingness to serve other's in His name. While some organizations require a college degree and years of study, other organizations will ordain for the asking. In each it is up to the degree of study or time one wants to put into it. Many 'organized' churches also ordain women who feel called to minister to others in that capacity. While some differentiate on what a woman can do in that capacity, many don't. :I'm not clear on what you mean by "evangelistic organizations." Parachurch organizations? Denominational missionary agencies? Please feel free to expand the section on the ordination of women, but be sure to specify when and where your comments apply. If you do plan to expand it, you might want to create a user account so your name doesn't appear as your address "12.216.83.20." --User:Flex 14:53, 3 Jan 2005 (UTC) == holy orders & ministry == Whilst the entry I added could go under the definition, it is more introductory than definitional. It would IMO unbalance that definition. If the Article was Ordination rather than holy orders then it would be easier. User:Paul foord 01:29, 14 May 2005 (UTC) == seperate ordiantion entry == The entry for ordiantion redirects here and that's not correct since this article forms part of the series Christianity. Not all ordiantions are Christian, and this article is really mostly slanted towards the Catholic church.
#redirect Holy Orders
This article is already covered in Holy Orders which is a better article. This version had been proposed for deletion. User:Jtdirl 23:48 Apr 28, 2003 (UTC) I have removed the deletion request and will turn the article page here into a redirect instead. User:Jtdirl 23:51 Apr 28, 2003 (UTC)
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Holy Orders
Holy Orders in the modern Roman Catholic Church and in the Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and Anglicanism churches, includes three degrees: bishop, priest, and deacon. Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches believe that Holy Orders is a sacrament, while Anglicans are divided on this matter. Other Protestantism Christian denomination have varied conceptions of the church offices, but none of them considers ordination a sacrament, and some would not consider their Religious minister in terms of holy orders. Roman Catholic dogma counts Holy Orders among three Catholic sacraments that make an indelible mark called a sacramental character on the recipient's soul (the other two are baptism and confirmation (sacrament)). Some non-Catholics, perhaps especially Anglicans, also use the term ''episcopal character'' to refer to the status of a bishop. The Eastern Orthodox Church has two minor orders, those of 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. In former times, the Roman Catholic church also had four minor orders along with the major orders 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 after the Second Vatican Council. Such titles as ''Cardinal (Catholicism)'', ''Monsignor'', ''Archbishop'', etc., are ''not'' sacramental orders. These are simply offices; to receive one of those titles is ''not'' an instance of the sacrament of Holy Orders. == Definitions == The word "holy" simply means "set apart for some purpose." The word ''ordo'' (order, in Latin) designated an established civil body or corporation with a hierarchy, and ''ordinatio'' meant legal incorporation into an ''ordo.'' In context, therefore, a Holy Order is simply a group with a hierarchy that is set apart for ministry in the Church. == Episcopal concept of ordination == The episcopalian church governance (from the Greek language ''episkopos'', meaning "overseer" and from which we get the word "bishop") form of church government is followed by the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches, and the Anglican Churches and centers around the hierarchy of bishops. === Meaning of priesthood === The word "priest" either derives ultimately from the Greek ''presbuteros'' meaning "elder" or the Latin ''praepositus'' meaning "superintendent." The Catholic church sees the priesthood as both a reflection of the ancient temple priesthood of the Jews and the person of Jesus. The liturgy of ordination recalls the Old Testament priesthood and the priesthood of Christ. In the words of Saint 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'' [http://www.newadvent.org/Summa/402204.htm III, 22, 4c]. 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 Roman Catholics, it is typically in the last year of seminary training that a man will be ordained to the diaconate, called by Roman 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, to perform baptisms, and to witness marriages, but to perform no other sacraments. They may assist at the Eucharist or the Mass, but are not the ministers of the Eucharist. 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. 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. 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 23 years old, and priests 24. 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, but usually cannot be ordained a bishop. Anglican priests have to be at least 30 before they can be chosen to become a bishop. Bishop are chosen from among the priests in churches that adhere to Roman Catholic usage. Among Eastern Rite Catholic & 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 a rule. In the case of both Roman Catholics & Orthodox, they are usually leaders of territorial units called diocese. Only bishops can validly administer the sacrament of holy orders. In Latin Rite Catholic churches and Anglican churches, only bishops (and priests with authorisation by the 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 confirmed again, by a bishop or otherwise. In Eastern Rites 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. === Recognition of other churches' orders === Roman Catholics recognize the validity of holy orders administered in Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches because they believe those churches 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 bishops do. Consequently, if a priest of one of those eastern churches converts to Catholicism, he is automatically a Catholic priest. 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 the Orthodox Church about this); that is part of the policy called Economy (Eastern Orthodoxy). Anglicanism churches, unlike most Protestant churches, maintain the succession, their bishops being successors of English bishops who converted to Protestantism in the 16th century. A controversy in the Catholic church over the question of whether Anglican holy orders are valid was dogmatically settled by Pope Leo XIII in 1896, who wrote that Anglican orders lack validity because the rite by which priests are ordained is not correctly performed. Eastern Orthodox bishops have, on occasion, granted "economy" when Anglican priests convert to Orthodoxy. Catholics do not recognize ordination of ministers in Protestant churches that do not maintain the apostolic succession. Anglicans accept the ordination of most mainline denominations, however only those denominations in full communion with the Anglican Communion such as some Lutheran denominations, may preside over services requiring a cleric. === Marriage and holy orders === The rules discussed in this section are not considered to be among the infallible dogmas of the Roman 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 Catholicism may not be ordained to the priesthood. In the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church 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 drawn only from among Monasticism, who have taken a vow of celibacy. They may be widowers, though; it is not required of them to never have been married. There are cases of permanent deacons who, left widowed by the death of a wife, have been ordained to the priesthood. There have been some situations in which men previously married and ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican Church have been ordained to the Catholic priesthood and allowed to function much as an Eastern Rite priest but in a Latin Rite setting. === Chastity and celibacy === There is a difference between chastity and celibacy. Celibacy is the state of not being married, so a clerical 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 expected of all Christians, 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. == 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 and prayer over them. === Methodist churches === The Methodist model is loosely based upon the Anglican model and was first devised under the leadership of Thomas Coke (Methodist) and Francis Asbury in the late 18th century. In this scheme, an Elder (religious) is ordained to word (preaching and teaching), sacrament (administering baptism and the Lord's Supper), and order (ordaining others), and a deacon is someone who is ordained to word and service. In the United Methodist Church, for instance, seminary graduates are interviewed 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. (At one time, the graduate was ordained as a deacon at this point, a provisional role which has since been done away with; the Diaconal order is now a separate and distinct Laity office in the United Methodist Church.) After serving the probationary period consisting of a minimum of three years, the probationer is then interviewed again and either continued on probation, discontinued altogether, or approved. 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. === Presbyterian churches === Presbyterian churches, following their Scotland 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 [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus+1.5-9 Titus 1.5-9] and [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Tim+3.2-7 I Tim. 3.2-7]). While there is an increasing authority with each level of gathering of elders ('Kirk Session' over a congregation (worship), 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 sit. Elders are usually chosen at their local level, either elected by the congregation and approved by the Kirk Session, or appointed directly by the Kirk 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 regared simply as Presbyters ordained to a different function, but in practice provide the leadership for local Kirk Session. Some presbyterians identify those appointed (by the laying on of hands) to serve in practical ways ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+6.1-7 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, unlke 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 used. === Congregationalist churches === Congregationalist church governance 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. === Online Ordination === The non-authoritarian religious denominations such as Spiritual Humanism, and 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. == Ordination of women == :''Main article: Ordination of women'' Many, but not all, denominations in Christendom allow the ordination of women. Notable denominations who ordain women in the USA include Episcopal Church in the United States of America, Presbyterian Church USA, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the United Church of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the United Methodist Church although there are others. Many of the same denominations ordain women throughout the world. For example, the majority of the Anglican Communion, in theory allows for the ordination of women. In the listed denominations, ordination to priest/minister, bishop, elder (religious), or deacon is allowed. In other denominations, women can be ordained to be an elder or deacon. Some denominations allow for the ordination of women for certain religious orders. Many denominations have divided or united around the issue of ordination of women. Also, several of the denominations that openly ordain women have broadened their ordinations to include homosexuals. == Ordination of homosexuals == === Judaism === The ordination of homosexuals as Rabbi is an issue being dealt with in nearly all sects of Judaism. Often this issue is dealt with by Conservative Judaism and Reform Judaism, although not exclusively. The most noted openly homosexual rabbi is Rabbi Steven Greenberg, Rabbi. [http://www.tremblingbeforeg-d.com/ Trembling Before G-D] is a documentary dealing with homosexuality and Orthodox Judaism. === Christianity === The United Church of Christ and the Metropolitan Community Churches are the only United States of America denominations with an official stance allowing homosexuals to be ordained. Other denominations such as Episcopal Church in the United States of America have openly ordained homosexuals. Some denominations allow for these ordained to be in union with their partners. Other denominations require a vow of celibacy. Most of the mainline protestant denominations are openly discussing the issue such as the Presbyterian Church USA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Recently the ordination of Gene Robinson to the order of bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, and the near ordination of Jeffrey John (was to be ordained Bishop of Reading) in the Church of England have caused a stir in the Anglican Communion, as not all provinces approve of such actions. The ordination of homosexuals is not a new thing, but the open ordination has come to light. Often those who were homosexual 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 Gene 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. === Humanist === Humanist and other rationalist religious organizations recognize and affirm the right of celbrants who are consenting adults to enter into relationships with other consenting adults regardless of their sexual orientation or gender. ==Print Resources== *Campbell, Dennis. ''Yoke of Obedience'', 1988. ISBN 0687466601 *Thomas Oden. ''Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry'', 1983. ISBN 0060663537 *William Willimon. ''Calling & Character: Virtues of the Ordained Life'', 2000. ISBN 0687090334 *William Willimon. ''Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry'', 2002. ISBN 0687045320 == See also == * Clergy * Homosexuality in the Roman Catholic priesthood * Ordination of women == External links == * [http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Sacraments/HolyOrders.asp Priesthood - Catholic Sacrament of Holy Orders - Ordination] * [http://www.spiritualhumanism.org Church of Spiritual Humanism] * [http://www.firstpresby.org/womenelders.htm Women Elders] * [http://www.gbhem.org/ResourceLibrary/stepord.pdf The Steps to Orders in The United Methodist Church] (PDF) Roman Catholic Church Offices Seven sacraments Christian leaders Christianity Sacraments
Holy Orders
What about Holy Orders in Eastern Orthodoxy? Or Holy Orders in Anglicanism? This is Wikipedia. Put in a subhead and start typing. I started with what I know best, and people added things. (Notice that the entry makes no claims to completeness even for Catholicism - it says 'in modern Catholicism'. I hope we'll get the history eventually). --MichaelTinkler :I would -- except I don't know anything about them, and I am too lazy to do any research myself :) I was just hoping someone else might know, and chime in... ----- The article says: :Not all priests have lived up to these ideals: see Catholic priests' sex abuse scandal. Catholic priests have broken every commandment. There have been mass murderers among them, serial adulterers, thieves and con-artists. In past centuries indulgences (forgiveness) was sold. And what about the Spanish Inquisition? Yet several articles about the Catholic Church here at Wikipedia mention none of that but with unseemly prurient interest they mention at the slightest excuse the recent sex abuse scandals. I am inclined to remove the remark I have quoted. Would I be right to do so? User:Psb777 11:32, 30 Jan 2004 (UTC) On the subject of Holy Orders in the Eastern Orthodox Church there is an error, though one that is commonly made, and is even in some books. The article says that one is tonsured to the rank of reader and subdeacon, and this phrase is used in common speech, though it is not technically correct. The tonsure occures prior to the ordination of a man to the rank of reader. He is ordained a reader by the laying on of hand of the celebrant ( which is normally a bishop, though for these lesser orders an archimandrite or abbot may perform this ordination). The ordinand is then latter ordained to the rank of subdeacon by laying of of hands. In the Greek a distinction is made in these two types of ordinations. The lesser form is called chirothesis ( for minor orders) and the greater one is called chirotony ( for major orders). This may be an arcane point, but it is very significant and I would like to hear some feedback before I make any changes. I am new and I don't wish to step on any toes. --User:Frmaximos 03:50, Sep 10, 2004 (UTC) == problem with researching religion == people make the hugest emphases on the smallest details, therefore making it nearly impossible to absorb everything they say. to put it bluntly, its extremely boring. im doing a project on the history of religious orders and i nearly fall asleep when reading pages about it. i wish everything could be more clear and concise. on christianity- yes there are many faults with the religion, for example, if God created adam and eve, and they were perfect, why did they eat the forbidden fruit (which is never identified as an apple in the bible). we also come to the question why is there evil in the world? if god is a loving being why did he put evil in the world and why does he allow the innocent to die (helpless babies etc.) yes of course there is the common saying that it was meant to happen, but who wants a god that ordains the death of their family? these same imperfections plague the church as well. we cant expect them to be perfect because they are human. to me, christianity is an example of how powerful the mind is, if you catch my drift. look at what we can make ourselves believe. to make it fair, this is applicable to all religions, excluding buddhism. buddhism has been called the "perfection of natural religion", one that focuses on the power found inside of ones self instead of outside in some nonexistent (opinion) being. some philisophical questions what is truth what is evil can god create a rock he cant lift? my name is Sky, skyd@culver.org, aim:culverpolopimp feel free to respond. by the way, as i have just learned anyone can make a post on this page by clicking the plus (+) tab at the top of the page. TUESDAY OCTOBER 19th 2004 == Ordination for Women == In today's evangelistic organizations, women are ordained as a matter of course. All it takes is a desire to be a minister and a willingness to serve other's in His name. While some organizations require a college degree and years of study, other organizations will ordain for the asking. In each it is up to the degree of study or time one wants to put into it. Many 'organized' churches also ordain women who feel called to minister to others in that capacity. While some differentiate on what a woman can do in that capacity, many don't. :I'm not clear on what you mean by "evangelistic organizations." Parachurch organizations? Denominational missionary agencies? Please feel free to expand the section on the ordination of women, but be sure to specify when and where your comments apply. If you do plan to expand it, you might want to create a user account so your name doesn't appear as your address "12.216.83.20." --User:Flex 14:53, 3 Jan 2005 (UTC) == holy orders & ministry == Whilst the entry I added could go under the definition, it is more introductory than definitional. It would IMO unbalance that definition. If the Article was Ordination rather than holy orders then it would be easier. User:Paul foord 01:29, 14 May 2005 (UTC) == seperate ordiantion entry == The entry for ordiantion redirects here and that's not correct since this article forms part of the series Christianity. Not all ordiantions are Christian, and this article is really mostly slanted towards the Catholic church.
Holy orders
#redirect Holy Orders
Holy orders
This article is already covered in Holy Orders which is a better article. This version had been proposed for deletion. User:Jtdirl 23:48 Apr 28, 2003 (UTC) I have removed the deletion request and will turn the article page here into a redirect instead. User:Jtdirl 23:51 Apr 28, 2003 (UTC)
See other meanings of words starting from letter:
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HA | HB | HC | HD | HE | HF | HG | HI | HJ | HK | HL | HM | HN | HO | HP | HR | HS | HT | HU | HW | HX | HY | HZ |Words begining with Holy_Orders:
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