How to Understand the Catholic Priesthood

What is the purpose of a Catholic priest and what is it not? The Catholic priesthood can spark a lot of confusion. Are they a symbolic leader or a CEO? Mike Gormley and Dave VanVickle answer many of the common questions associated with the priesthood and emphasize why it is such an essential part of the Catholic faith.

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“The priest is not a priest for himself. He does not give himself absolution, he does not administer the sacraments to himself. He is not for himself. He is for you.”
-St. John Vianney

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), Paragraph 1536

Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry. It includes three degrees: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate.

CCC, Paragraph 1549

Through the ordained ministry, especially that of bishops and priests, the presence of Christ as head of the Church is made visible in the midst of the community of believers. In the beautiful expression of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the bishop is typos tou Patros: he is like the living image of God the Father.

CCC, Paragraph 1577

"Only a baptized man (vir) validly receives sacred ordination." The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ's return. The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.