The sacrament of holy orders is of divine institution, imparting a special character and empowering the recipient to share in Christ's priestly ministry by teaching, governing and officiating at worship as bishop, priest or deacon.
There is an essential difference between the priest of the Old Testament and that of the New Testament. The former took charge of the Temple by heredity, and his holiness was above all ritual. The latter's priesthood is charismatic and spiritual. The charism was transmitted by the imposition of hands which conferred the gift of the Holy Spirit on to the elected one as well as an initial inner holiness which he is to cultivate through his actions. Like all charisms, this one has the common welfare as its goal; the edification of the Church, the mystical body of Christ.
1Tim.4:14; 2 Cor.5:20; 1Cor.4:1-2
Sacraments of Vocation: Holy Orders and Matrimony
www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/SFS/an0702.asp
The Sacrament of Holy Orders (temporarily unavailable)
Holy Orders (Fathers of the Church) www.cin.org/users/jgallegos/hlyord.htm
The Ministerial Priesthood and the New Testament www.cin.org/users/james/files/priest.htm
The Priesthood www.scripturecatholic.com/the_priesthood.html
What is the Priesthood? www.circleofprayer.com/priesthood.html
Did Jesus Give Priests to the Church? www.catholic.com/thisrock/2004/0404sbs.asp
Called to Holiness and Service: Ordained Ministry
www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/VAT/aq0804.asp
The Ministerial Priesthood www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/ministpr.html
The Sacred Powers of the Priesthood www.catholicdoors.com/teaching/book2/2-12.htm
The Male Priesthood: The Argument From Sacred Tradition
http://catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0069.html
Celibacy and the Priesthood www.catholic.com/library/Celibacy_and_the_Priesthood.asp
www.catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0165.html
www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/celibacy_of_priests.htm
Celibate Priesthood http://catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0545.html
The Spirituality of Celibacy http://catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0166.html
The Relevancy of Priestly Celibacy Today
Why are priests celibate? www.holyspiritinteractive.net/questions/whycelibacy.asp
Celibacy is a Gift www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0102fea5.asp
Priesthood in Transition www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0797.asp
Called to Holiness and Service: Lay Ministry
www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/VAT/aq0904.asp
The Call to the Laity www.spiritualitytoday.org/spir2day/833536goergen.html
The Role of the Laity www.saint-mike.org/library/laity/laity.html
Lay Ministry and its purpose www.catholicdoors.com/faq/qu19.htm
On the Participation of the Laity in the Priestly Ministry
www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2LAITY.htm
Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People (Apostolicam actuositatem)
www.ewtn.com/library/COUNCILS/v2laity.htm
Holy Orders and Women (Early Church Fathers) www.cin.org/users/jgallegos/priest.htm
Women Priests - No Chance http://catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0001.html
The Dignity of Older People and their Mission in the Church
www.ewtn.com/library/CURIA/PCLOLDER.HTM