SUMMARY

1. The Apostles ordained priests (at first they were called presbyters) with power to be representatives of Our Lord, the Great High Priest, and as such to celebrate the Eucharist, to forgive sins, and to bless.  Only priests can do this priestly work of Our Lord, standing between God and human beings to bring people to God.  Priests can only be ordained by a bishop.

2. The chief work of priests is to offer worship to God by celebrating the Eucharist, and to honour God by saving souls and by leading their people to Heaven.  They will do this chiefly by teaching the Catholic Faith, by preaching, and giving their people the Sacraments of the Church.

Note

There is a difference between the ‘Priesthood of the Laity’ and the ‘Ministerial Priesthood’.  As the Church is the Body of Christ, who is the Eternal High Priest, so it is a priestly body and its members share accordingly in his priesthood (Exodus 19:5,6; 1 Peter 2: 5,9; Revelation 5:10).  Ordained priests, however, are representatives not only of the Church but also of Our Lord who is its Head, and they can be that only if they have received from Our Lord that express Commission which was first given to the Apostles. 

References

1. ©The Archbishops’ Council (2007) Common Worship.  The Ordination of Priests, also called Presbyters.  Available from:
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/ordinal/priests.html  (Accessed 25 August 2010) (Internet).

2. ©The Archbishops’ Council (2007) Common Worship.  The Ordination of Priests, also called Presbyters.  Available from:
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/ordinal/priests.html  (Accessed 25 August 2010) (Internet).

3. Church of England (1662) The Book of Common Prayer.  The Form and Manner of the Ordering of Priests.  Available from:
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/bcp/texts/ordering-of-priests.html  (Accessed 25 August 2010) (Internet).

4. Ignatius of Antioch (1st century AD) Epistle to the Smyrnaeans, in Kidd, B.J. (1920) Documents Illustrative of the History of the Church No 19, London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.