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1595 Priests are united with the
bishops in sacerdotal dignity and at the same time depend
on them in the exercise of their pastoralfunctions; they are
called to be the bishops prudent co-workers. They form
around their bishop the presbyterium which bears
responsibility with him for the particular Church. They
receive from the bishop the charge of a parish community or
a determinate ecclesial office. 1596 Deacons are ministers ordainedfor tasks of
service of the Church; they do not receive the ministerial
priesthood, but ordination confrrs on them important
functions in the ministry of the word, divine worship,
pastoral governance and the service of charity, tasks which
they must carry out under the pastoral authority of their
bishop. 1597 The sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred by
the laying on of hands followed by a solemn prayer of
consecration asking God to grant the ordinand the graces
of the Holy Spirit requiredfor his ministry. Ordination
imprints an indelible sacramental character. 1598 The Church confers the sacrament of Holy
Orders only on baptized men (vin) whose suitability for
the exercise of the ministry has been duly recognized.
Church authority alone has the responsibility and right to
call someone to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. 1599 In the Latin Church the sacrament of Holy
Ordersfor the presbyterate is normally conferred only on
candidates who are ready to embrace celibacy freely and who
publicly manifest their intention of staying celibate for
the love of Gods kingdom and the service of men. ióoo It is bishops who conftr the sacrament
of Holy Orders in the three degrees. THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY ióoi The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.8~
woman in the image and likeness of God and
concludes with a |
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