|
Objection 1: It would seem that the character of one Order
necessarily presupposes the character of another Order. For there is
more in common between one Order and another, than between Order and
another sacrament. But the character of Order presupposes the
character of another sacrament, namely Baptism. Much more therefore
does the character of one Order presuppose the character of another.
Objection 2: Further, the Orders are degrees of a kind. Now no
one can reach a further degree, unless he first mount the previous
degree. Therefore no one can receive the character of a subsequent
Order unless he has first received the preceding Order.
On the contrary, If anything necessary for a sacrament be omitted in
that sacrament, the sacrament must be repeated. But if one receive a
subsequent Order, without receiving a preceding Order, he is not
reordained, but he receives what was lacking, according to the
canonical statutes (cap. Tuae literae, De clerico per salt.
prom.). Therefore the preceding Order is not necessary for the
following.
I answer that, It is not necessary for the higher Orders that one
should have received the minor Orders, because their respective powers
are distinct, and one, considered in its essentials, does not require
another in the same subject. Hence even in the early Church some were
ordained priests without having previously received the lower Orders
and yet they could do all that the lower Orders could, because the
lower power is comprised in the higher, even as sense in
understanding, and dukedom in kingdom. Afterwards, however, it was
decided by the legislation of the Church that no one should present
himself to the higher orders who had not previously humbled himself in
the lower offices. And hence it is that according to the Canons
(cap. Tuae literae, De clerico per salt. prom.) those who are
ordained without receiving a preceding Order are not reordained, but
receive what was lacking to them of the preceding Order.
Reply to Objection 1: Orders have more in common with one another
as regards specific likeness, than order has with Baptism. But as
regards proportion of power to action, Baptism has more in common with
Order, than one Order with another, because Baptism confers on man
the passive power to receive Orders, whereas a lower Order does not
give him the passive power to receive higher Orders.
Reply to Objection 2: Orders are not degrees combining in one
action or in one movement, so that it be necessary to reach the last
through the first; but they are like degrees consisting in things of
different kinds, such as the degrees between man and angel, and it is
not necessary that one who is an angel be first of all a man. Such
also are the degrees between the head and all members of the body; nor
is it necessary that that which is the head should be previously a
foot; and thus it is in the case in point.
|
|