The Dignity and Office of A Priest

THE DIGNITY AND OFFICE OF A PRIEST (SACERDOTAL)
Do we value priest? What is so special about a priest? Is he some form of a deity? Or is it
because of some supernatural aura all about him... I bet you already have a personal notion about
priests, but it will be good you really understand the mystery behind the place and dignity of a
priest in our physical and spiritual existence.
According the Catechism of the Catholic Church, there are two types of priesthood, the common
priesthood and the ministerial priesthood. Christ, high priest and unique mediator, has made of
the Church “a kingdom, priest for his God and Father (CCC 1546).” By the virtue of our Baptism
we all are sharers in the same priesthood of Christ as Priest, Prophet and King. The Ministerial or
hierarchical priesthood of bishops and priests, and the common priesthood of all the faithful
participate, “each in its own proper way, in the one priesthood of Christ.” While been ordered
one to another, they differ essentially. In what sense? While the common priesthood of the
faithful is exercised by the unfolding of baptismal grace – a life of faith, hope and charity, a life
according to the Spirit, the ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood. It is
directed at the unfolding of baptismal grace of all Christians. The ministerial priesthood is a
means by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads his Church (CCC 1547).
The main essence of this article is to portray the dignity of a priest and his powers both in
our society and beyond.
The priesthood is ministerial. It is entirely related to Christ and man. It depends entirely
on Christ: it has been instituted for the good of men and the communion of the Church. The
Sacrament of Holy Orders communicates a “sacred power” which is none other than that of
Christ (CCC 1551). According to Saint Ignatius of Loyola “the priesthood is the most sublime of
all created dignities.’ St. Denis calls the priest “a divine man.” Hence, he has called the
priesthood a divine dignity. Also, St. John Chrysostom says that: “He who honors a priest honors
Christ and he who insults a priest insults Christ.” Through respect for the sacerdotal dignity, St.
Mary of Oignes used to kiss the ground on which a priest had walked. The dignity of a priest is
estimated from the exalted nature of his office. Priests are chosen by God to manage on earth, all
His concerns and His interests. “Divine”, says St, Cyril of Alexandria “is the office confided to a
priest.” St. Ambrose called the priestly office - “A divine profession.” A priest is a minister
destined by God to be a public ambassador of the Church, to honor Him and to obtain graces for
all.
THE GRANDEUR OF THE PRIESTLY POWER
The dignity of the priest is also estimated from the power he has over the real and
mystical Body of Jesus Christ. It is by faith when they pronounce the words of consecration
“that” incarnate Word has obliged Himself to obey and come into their hands under the
sacramental species. We are struck with wonder when we hear that God obey the voice of Joshua
– THE LORD OBEYING THE VOICE OF MAN – and made the sun stand when he said: “move
not, O sun towards Gibeon… and the sun stood still (Josh. 10:13). But our wonder should be far
greater when we bear in mind that in obedience to the words of His priest – HOC EST CORPUS
MEUM - God Himself descend on the altar, that He comes wherever they called Him and as
often as they call Him, and places Himself in their hands. St. John Chrysostom thus asserts: “the
Sovereign Master of the universe only follows the servant by confirming in heaven all that the
latter decides upon earth.” Were the Redeemer to descend into a Church, and sit in a confessional
to administer the sacrament of penance and the priest to sit in another confessional, Jesus would
say over each penitent “EGO TE ABSOLVO” – (I ABSOLVE YOU). The priest would likewise
say over each of his penitent: “EGO TE ABSOLVO,” and the penitents of each will equally be
absolved. All of these portray who a priest really is and what divine power is bestowed on him.
Hence, St. Clement affirms: “As much as the soul is nobler than the body, so much is the
priesthood more excellent than royalty.
Consequently, in the council of Nicaea, Emperor Constantine wished to sit in the last place after
all the priests, and on a seat lower than that which they occupied, he would not even sit down
without their permission. Also, the Holy King, St. Boleslan had so great a veneration for priests
that he would not dare to sit in their presence. But now in our scholar world, the respect which
was accorded priests is no longer there; some are treated with contempt and even killed in the
process. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, “it is the same priest, Christ Jesus, whose sacred
person his minister truly represents. Now the minister, by reason of the sacerdotal consecration
which he has received, is truly made like to the high priest and possesses the authority to act in
the power and place of Christ himself (virtute ac persona ipsius Christi).
More so, the sacerdotal dignity also surpasses the dignity of the angels, who likewise show their
veneration for the priesthood, according to St. Gregory of Nazianzen, “All the angels in heaven
can not absolve one from a single sin.” The guardian angels procure for the souls committed to
their care, grace to have recourse to a priest that he may absolve them. St. Francis of Assisi used
to say: “if I saw an angel and a priest, I would bend my knee first to the priest and then to the
angel. Priests are called vicars of Jesus Christ, because they hold His place on earth. “You hold
the place of Christ”, says St. Augustine to them “you are therefore His lieutenant.” In the council
of Milan, St. Charles Borromeo called priests “the representatives of the person of Christ.”
Priests have received a power which God has given neither to angels or archangels. It was said
on earth: “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you shall loose,
shall be loosed in heaven.” Temporal rulers have indeed the power of binding; but they can only
bind the body. Priests in contrast, can bind, with a bond which pertains to the soul itself and
transcend the very heaven. Did (God) not give them the power of heaven? What greater power is
there than this? The Father has given all judgment to the son. And now I see the Son placing all
these power in the hands of men. They are raised to this Dignity as if they were already gathered
up to heaven.
CONCLSION:
Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God, on
their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifice for sin. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and
wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness, and because of this he must offer sacrifice for
the his own sins, as well as for those of the people. And one doesn’t presume to take this honor,
but to take it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.... (CF Heb. 5:1-6). Our respect
towards priests should not be affected not be affected by what we see or from different stories we
hear, but we should all endeavour to stay focus and put our hope on Jesus Christ the High Priest
for our Salvation.

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THE DIGNITY AND OFFICE OF A PRIEST (SACERDOTAL)

Do we value priest? What is so special about a priest? Is he some form of a deity? Or is it

priest in our physical and spiritual existence.

our society and beyond.

THE GRANDEUR OF THE PRIESTLY POWER

priesthood more excellent than royalty.

for our Salvation.

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