Five Ways Catholic Priests are More Important than “Lay Ecclesial Ministers”

On average, it takes a Catholic priest nine years to study, train and then receive the sacrament of Holy Orders first as a deacon then as a priest. It is an arduous process of discernment and formation. As far as duration of the period of study, this is longer than a lay person earning a doctorate in Theology. 

Here’s the thing: All of the knowledge gained and the academic certificates earned are not what the priesthood or any ministry is really about. The priesthood is first and foremost a calling from God. Jesus chose twelve men who were very unlearned and very common, yet they were able to do many supernatural things. They acted as priests (in the Person of Christ). No other disciples could do what the Apostles were comissioned and ordained to do and today 'lay ecclesial ministers' cannot do everything a priest can do.

They were chosen to be the priests of the Church as the first bishops, overseers, episkopos. What they and their successors received is a special sacramental grace or what the Catechism calls, 'sacred power' to participate in the priesthood of Jesus and be able to love the Church in the way Christ loved the Church. In sacramental theology this unique privilege reserved for men that Christ himself has chosen, regardless of how many credentials or certificates they have, is called ‘acting in the person of Christ’ or ‘En Persona Christi’. 

'No one can bestow grace on himself; it must be given and offered. This fact presupposes ministers of grace, authorized and empowered by Christ. From him, bishops and priests receive the mission and faculty ("the sacred power") to act in persona Christi Capitis; deacons receive the strength to serve the people of God in the diaconia of liturgy, word and charity, in communion with the bishop and his presbyterate. The ministry in which Christ's emissaries do and give by God's grace what they cannot do and give by their own powers, is called a "sacrament" by the Church's tradition' (CCC 875).

1. Eucharist: A Catholic priest’s primary function and chief 'sacred power' is to offer the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. Going all the way back to the Old Testament (Melchizedek and Levites) that is the basic definition of a priest - someone who offers sacrifice. They are the Ordinary Minister who acts as In Persona Christi, speaking the words of Christ over the bread and wine. They are not ‘extraordinary ministers’ of the Eucharist, they are actual priests who consecrate the bread and wine, thereby effecting the change of bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus in the Eucharist. Lay people can’t do that.

2. Reconciliation: A Catholic priest is needed to hear the sins of the faithful in the sacrament of Reconciliation ( Confession) so that he may absolve the sins of the penitent while acting, ‘In Persona Christi’ (In the Person of Christ). The words of absolution have the power to bring the sinner back to (divine) life again.  Lay people can’t do that. 

3. Anointing of the Sick: A Catholic priest can anoint the sick and dying with the Oil of the Sick and pray over them so that they receive sacramental grace to either be healed totally or be given the courage to offer their suffering in union with Jesus’ suffering. The grace that the priest imparts as he acts, ‘In Persona Christi’ also helps the dying person prepare for a good death. Lay people can’t do that. 

4. Exorcisms: A Catholic priest is designated and commissioned after further study and formation to become an exorcist. It takes a Catholic priest to drive out demons in the Name of Jesus with guaranteed efficacy. A lay person may engage in spiritual warfare through the use of sacramentals and prayer but in severe cases of demonic obsession or possession a trained Catholic priest is called in. 

5. Priestly Blessings: A Catholic priest may bless a person or an object, which imparts a special grace which makes that person or thing consecrated or set apart. Lay people only have the authority to bless themselves or their children. 

This list is only a small sample of what a priest can do compared to what a lay person with the common priesthood of baptism can not do.

Bottom line: If I were stuck on a deserted island with the choice of 100 lay ecclesial ministers (with advanced degrees in theology) to assist me in my spiritual life or one Catholic priest, I would choose the priest every time. 'Father's helpers' without Father doesn't do me any good.