Decree on the Ministry and Life of Presbyters (Presbyterorum Ordinis) http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651207_presbyterorum-ordinis_en.html Decree on Priestly Formation http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651028_optatam-totius_en.html Victor Clore The theology of the priesthood is summarized in the Constitution Lumen Gentium, and then there is a separate decree on priestly ministry, plus a briefer decree on the formation of priests. We will review pertinent passages in Lumen Gentium first, and then consider the Decree on the Ministry and Life of Presbyters, followed by the Decree on Priestly Formation. Note that the second Vatican council revives the word “presbyter” as the proper name for this particular order; but the Latin text is not consistent – it often uses the word for “priest” (sacerdos). Lumen Gentium ~ Chapter II The People of God What is Developing? #10 “Christ the Lord, the High Priest chosen from among human beings has made the new people “a kingdom, priests to his God and Father.” The whole people shares in Christ’s work of salvation as priest, prophet and shepherd. “The common priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood, though they differ in essence and not simply in degree, are nevertheless interrelated: each in its own particular way shares in the one priesthood of Christ. … “The ministerial priest forms and governs the priestly people; in the person of Christ he brings about the Eucharistic sacrifice and offers it to God in the name of the whole people. The faithful… by virtue of their royal priesthood, join in the offering of the Eucharist, and they exercise their priesthood in receiving the sacraments, in prayer… and by active charity.” #11 Through the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests, the whole church commends the sick to the suffering and glorified Lord… to freely associate themselves with the passion and death of Christ. … Those of the faithful who are marked by holy orders are appointed in the name of Christ to feed the church with the word and the grace of God. #12 The holy people of God has a share in the prophetic role of Christ when it renders him a living witness. Chapter III The Hierarchical Constitution of the Church Chapter III is a reform of the ordained ministry, using the principle of ressourcement: going back to the source, i.e., the organization of ministries found in the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, the early post-apostolic church (eg, the Didache) and the early Fathers. There we find three orders: Overseer, Presbyter and Deacon. What is Developing? #20 The bishops have undertaken along with their fellow-workers, the presbyters and deacons, the service of the community, presiding in the place of God over the flock, whose shepherds they are, as teachers of doctrine, priests of sacred worship and ministers of government. #21 Bishops in an eminent and visible way take on the functions of Christ the teacher, shepherd and high priest and act in his person. #28.1 The divinely instituted ecclesiastical ministry is exercised in different orders by those who right from ancient times are called bishops, presbyters and deacons. #28.2 Prudent cooperators of the episcopal order and its instruments and help, presbyters are called to serve the people of God and constitute along with their bishop one presbyterium though destined to different duties. Presbyters make the bishop present in the local congregations of the faithful. By their sharing in the priesthood, presbyters recognize the bishop as truly their father and reverently obey him. For his part, the bishop considers the priests his cooperators as sons and friends. #28.3 Presbyters are bound together in a close fraternity, both pastoral and personal. #28.5 “Since today the human race is moving together more and more towards civil, economic and social unity, it is that much more necessary that priests by their united care and resources… wipe out every cause of division so that the whole human race may be brought into the unity of God’s family.” This is the “Servant Leader” model, as distinct from the “Holy Father” model of Presbyterial ministry. 1 Chapter IV The Laity What is Developing? #30 The pastors know that they were not instituted by Christ to undertake by themselves alone the church’s whole mission of salvation to the world; it is their noble task to tend the faithful for their task. In #30 “Ministry” describes the work of the laity; in #32, only ordained have “ministry” properly speaking. #32.3 The Pastors and the other faithful are bound together by a common bond. #33 The laity can be called in various ways to immediate cooperation in the work of the hierarchy. #37 “The pastors are to acknowledge and promote the dignity and responsibility of the laity, make use of their prudent counsel, confidently entrust to them offices in service of the church and leave them freedom and space to act; indeed, encourage them to take up work on their own initiative.” Decree on the Ministry and Life of Presbyters (Presbyterorum Ordinis) Chapter I The Priesthood in the Mission of the Church What was Familiar? What is Developing? #1 By the sacred ordination and mission they receive #1 The Council recognized “a daily increasing difficulty in from bishops, presbyters are promoted to the service the renewal of the church” and “pastoral and human of Christ the teacher, priest and ruler whose situations that have undergone profound change.” ministry they share, so that the church may be #2.2 …the bishops’ office of service was delegated to unceasingly built up here on earth into the people of presbyters in a subordinate capacity, men ordained into God, the body of Christ and temple of the Holy Spirit. the presbyteral order to be collaborators with the #2.2 Christ through the apostles appointed bishops episcopal order in carrying out the apostolic mission. as their successors to share in his own consecration #2.4 The service of presbyters begins with proclaiming and mission … the Gospel, draws its force from the sacrifice of Christ, #2.4 Through the ministry of presbyters the spiritual and has as its goal developing the whole city of God’s self-offering of the faithful is celebrated in union with redeemed. the sacrifice of Christ, the one mediator, in that by #3 Presbyters present a life that is other than the earthly their hands it is offered in the Eucharist, until the Lord one; but at the same time they live in this world among its himself shall come. This is the goal of the ministry of people, know their own flock as good shepherds do. presbyters, and it is brought to full expression in it. Chapter II The Ministry of Presbyters What was Familiar? What is Developing? #5.1 Presbyters share in the #4 The first charge of a presbyter is to announce the Gospel of God to all: priesthood of Christ by the instructing the faithful, those who are uncommitted, and unbelievers, handling liturgy, baptizing, anointing the the questions of the day in the light of Christ, applying the enduring truth of the sick, reconciling sinners, gospel to the concrete situations of life. making the bishop present in all #5.1 The sacraments and other ministries all lead to the Eucharist, which is the gatherings of the faithful. beginning and the end of all preaching, and the center of the gathering of the #5.2 Presbyters spread the faithful, over which the presbyter presides. praise of the Eucharist #5.2 Presbyters teach the faithful to share in the liturgy in a way that involves throughout the hours of the day real prayer of their own. by way of the divine office. #6.2 Beautiful ceremonies are of little use if they are not geared to producing #6.3 Presbyters need to be Christian maturity. caring for all, especially the poor and lowly, the young, #6.4-7 Pastors do not care simply for individuals; they are also responsible for married couples, facilitating the formation of community – not merely human interest groups, but genuine them to meet in friendly groups development of the Body of Christ. for mutual assistance, being #7 The hierarchical order of bishops and presbyters calls for mutual especially concerned for the communication; the bishop listening to the presbyters through a council or sick and the dying. senate of presbyters, and the presbyters being loyal to the bishop in true love #8.1 The bond of love among and obedience. 2 the presbyters with the bishop #8.3 In order to avoid the dangers of a solitary life, presbyters should seek out has been manifested from ways of a common or shared life, either living together, or through frequent and ancient times by the presbyters regular occasions of meeting, and formal associations for brotherly support surrounding the newly ordained and serving the presbyteral order. and laying their hands on them #8.4 Presbyters, by virtue of their priestly communion, need to be particularly with the ordaining bishop. conscious of those brothers who are struggling. #9 For their part, the faithful #9 Presbyters are brothers among brothers and sisters by baptism, so their should regard their pastors with ministry is serving rather than being served, fully respecting the laity’s rightful filial love as their fathers. freedom, ready to listen to them, consider their interests and recognize their #11 Families are encouraged to experience and competence. “They should confidently entrust responsibilities promote the needs of the to the laity in the service of the church, giving them scope and freedom for church among young men to be action, and inviting them to take up works on their own initiative.” They should ready to respond to God’s call.