Common Priesthood of the Faithful

Authority level: Dogma
Disciplinary status: Church discipline
Theological status: Theological synthesis
This article contains claims at more than one doctrinal grade. The summary shows the highest represented grade.
GuideThe baptized share in Christ's priesthood as a matter of Catholic doctrine; the distinction and ordering of baptismal and ministerial priesthood are authoritatively taught, while particular liturgical functions are governed by discipline.
Contents

Common Priesthood of the Faithful is the baptismal participation of all the faithful in the one priesthood of Jesus Christ, exercised through worship, witness, and lives offered to God.[1]

Participation in Christ's priesthood

Jesus Christ is the one high priest of the New Covenant. Through Baptism and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, every member of his body shares in his priestly, prophetic, and kingly mission. The Church therefore calls the baptized a holy and royal priesthood and calls their participation the common or baptismal priesthood of the faithful.[2]

This participation is real and sacramental; it is not merely a figure of speech or a delegation from the clergy. It gives the faithful a baptismal capacity and duty to offer spiritual worship, confess the faith, intercede for the world, and bring the holiness of Christ into every state of life.

Distinct from the ministerial priesthood

The common priesthood and the ministerial or hierarchical priesthood are ordered to one another because both participate in Christ's one priesthood. They differ in essence and not only in degree. Holy Orders configures bishops and priests to Christ the Head for an ecclesial service that baptism alone does not confer, especially teaching with pastoral authority, governing the flock, and celebrating the Eucharistic sacrifice in the person of Christ the Head.

The distinction neither makes lay people incomplete Christians nor turns ordained ministry into a privilege for private honor. Baptism gives all the faithful equal dignity as children of God, while Christ assigns different sacramental gifts and responsibilities for the building up of one body.

Exercise in worship and daily life

The faithful exercise their priesthood by receiving the sacraments, joining in the Church's prayer and thanksgiving, giving witness to Christ, practicing self-denial and charity, and offering their work, family life, sufferings, rest, and apostolic service to the Father through Christ. At Mass they unite these spiritual sacrifices with Christ's perfect offering and receive the fruit of that offering in Holy Communion.

Active participation follows the nature of each person's office. The congregation's priestly offering is indispensable, but it does not authorize anyone to assume the presiding prayers or liturgical functions reserved by sacramental order and Church law. Distinct roles serve, rather than diminish, the full participation of the whole body.

References

  1. 1.Lumen gentium — Vatican II's dogmatic constitution on the Church
  2. 2.Catechism of the Catholic Church, 783–786 — The priestly people and the baptized faithful's participation in Christ's office