The Sacrament

So we come to the third part of the Sacrament of Holy Order, the Consecration of Bishops.

Minister

The minister of the Sacrament must be a bishop and it is the rule that two other bishops should assist.  Common Worship states: “Bishops must be ordained by at least three other bishops, joining together in the act of ordination, of whom one shall be the Archbishop of the Province or his deputy” (2).

Matter

The matter is the laying on of hands

Form

In the Church of England the form in Common Worship is:

“Send down the Holy Spirit on your servant N
for the office and work of a bishop in your Church”. (3)

Inward grace

The inward grace is the Apostolic Commission which Our Lord first gave to his Apostles – the fullness of the Ministry of the Church with all the powers of a priest and, in addition, the power to administer the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Order.