On the Priesthood

In my discussions with Christians outside the Catholic faith, I've often heard these questions: "Why does the Catholic Church place so much importance on the priesthood? Doesn't that unnecessarily elevate the necessity of these ministers over the necessity of the laity?" The questions show a few misunderstandings about the nature of the priesthood. First, I would remind us that the priesthood is not a man-made office. Holy Orders is a sacrament ordained by Christ himself. So it is God who chose to establish it in its special place. We, as Catholics, are merely being obedient in the respect we show to those whom He has chosen to fill this vital role.

Secondly, to take on the role of priest is not to take a step above your peers, but rather a step down. Just as Christ came to serve, not to be served, so are His priests servants to His people. They are sent as loving Fathers and guides, not dictators. They are the keepers and distributors of the Sacraments. Such responsibility demands much energy, and yes, requires that a certain amount of authority go with it. We are instructed to submit to our priests, not because they are our superiors, but because Christians are in fact called to be submissive people. Several times in the Epistles of Paul, Christians are instructed to submit to one another. So if we are to submit to one another in love, how much more are we to submit to our spiritual leaders, who bear such a great burden?

We must remember that it is the office to which we show honor, not the individual. There are many bad priests out there, who make no effort to live a life of virtue and have become cold in their duties. However this in no way invalidates the sacraments that they offer, for the power to perform the sacraments comes from God, not the man. There is a famous account about St. Francis of Assisi, who, upon visiting a small town, was met by the people with the demand for chastisement for their wicked priest. The good monk accompanied the people to meet the priest, who had become hardened, and brazenly awaited what Francis would have to say. St. Francis silenced the crowd, who awaited eagerly to see what harsh words he would have for the priest. However, very meekly and quietly, Francis took the hands of the priest in his own and spoke. "Whether or not this man has tainted his hands, I know not. All I know is that these hands bring me Christ." (meaning in the Eucharist) The priest's hardened heart was turned, and he repented of his acts, while the people learned a valuable lesson about the Holy Priesthood.

St. Francis had a high regard for the priesthood, as we should today. Our priests come under fierce attacks of the devil, who knows that he can do great damage by taking out a single priest. This is why priests need our fervent prayers and support. Not only do they come under fire of terrible temptation, but they also bear the burdens of their entire congregations. This is why so many priests fall, not because they are weak men, but because they are in the direct line of fire. In order to protect our spiritual leaders from such harm, we must be willing to humble ourselves enough to come down and lift them onto our own shoulders. It's not that they elevate themselves, for there should be no need for that, as we should do it for them. So I suppose answer to the question, "Why choose do you elevate your priests so?" would be that I don't. I would much prefer to humble myself. Amen.

Vincent Christian