Sacramental Ministry, Catholic Church
Theologians differentiate between Religious ministry and Apostolates. Ministry, for Catholics, pertains to the administration of the Sacraments, and their appropriate ministers are as follows:
| Baptism | Any person (even an unbaptized person); preferably a priest or deacon |
| Confirmation | A bishop, or a priest delegated by him |
| Reconciliation | Priest |
| Eucharist | Consecrated by a priest. The Eucharist may be administered by a priest or deacon, or laypeople in extraordinary circumstances. |
| Marriage | The spouses administer the sacrament to each other (witnessed by the priest). |
| Holy Orders | Bishop |
| Anointing of the Sick | Priest |
A final, and most proper, use of the term "ministries" pertains to those instituted by the bishop:
- Acolyte (May administer the Eucharist)
- Lector (May read the readings at Mass, except for the Gospel which is reserve for a priest or deacon)
Ordained ministers are those who have received Holy Orders: deacons, priests, and bishops. Note that a bishop can do anything a priest can do, and a priest can do anything a deacon can do.
Read more about this topic: Christian Ministry
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