Ordinação

Ordinação refers to the process of conferring the sacrament of Holy Orders on a candidate. This sacrament, recognized primarily within the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the Anglican Communion, bestows spiritual authority and enables the ordained minister to perform specific sacred duties. The rite of ordination involves the laying on of hands by a bishop, accompanied by a prayer of consecration, signifying the invocation of the Holy Spirit.

The sacrament of Holy Orders typically has three distinct levels: bishop, priest, and deacon. Bishops are considered the successors of the apostles, possessing the fullness of the priesthood and the authority to ordain others. Priests, who work in communion with their bishop, are empowered to celebrate the Eucharist, administer sacraments, and preach. Deacons, the lowest order, are ordained to assist bishops and priests in ministry, particularly in service to the poor and in liturgical functions.

The conferral of ordination is understood to imprint an indelible spiritual character on the recipient, meaning it cannot be repeated. The specific theological understanding and practices surrounding ordination can vary slightly among different denominations that recognize the sacrament, but the core concept of a divinely instituted ministry with specific sacramental authority remains central.