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Objection 1: It would seem that the tonsure is an Order. For in
the acts of the Church the spiritual corresponds to the corporal. Now
the tonsure is a corporal sign employed by the Church. Therefore
seemingly there is some interior signification corresponding thereto;
so that a person receives a character when he receives the tonsure, and
consequently the latter is an Order.
Objection 2: Further, just as Confirmation and the other Orders
are given by a bishop alone, so is the tonsure. Now a character is
imprinted in Confirmation, and the other Orders. Therefore one is
imprinted likewise in receiving the tonsure. Therefore the same
conclusion follows.
Objection 3: Further, Order denotes a degree of dignity. Now a
cleric by the very fact of being a cleric is placed on a degree above
the people. Therefore the tonsure by which he is made a cleric is an
Order.
On the contrary, No Order is given except during the celebration of
Mass. But the tonsure is given even outside the office of the Mass.
Therefore it is not an Order.
Further, in the conferring of every Order mention is made of some
power granted, but not in the conferring of the tonsure. Therefore it
is not an Order.
I answer that, The ministers of the Church are severed from the
people in order that they may give themselves entirely to the Divine
worship. Now in the Divine worship are certain actions that have to
be exercised by virtue of certain definite powers, and for this purpose
the spiritual power of order is given; while other actions are
performed by the whole body of ministers in common, for instance the
recital of the Divine praises. For such things it is not necessary to
have the power of Order, but only to be deputed to such an office;
and this is done by the tonsure. Consequently it is not an Order but
a preamble to Orders.
Reply to Objection 1: The tonsure has some spiritual thing inwardly
corresponding to it, as signate corresponds to sign; but this is not a
spiritual power. Wherefore a character is not imprinted in the tonsure
as in an Order.
Reply to Objection 2: Although a man does not receive a character
in the tonsure, nevertheless he is appointed to the Divine worship.
Hence this appointment should be made by the supreme minister, namely
the bishop, who moreover blesses the vestments and vessels and
whatsoever else is employed in the Divine worship.
Reply to Objection 3: A man through being a cleric is in a higher
state than a layman; but as regards power he has not the higher degree
that is required for Orders.
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