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Objection 1: It seems that the consecration of this sacrament does
not belong exclusively to a priest. Because it was said above
(Question 78, Article 4) that this sacrament is consecrated in
virtue of the words, which are the form of this sacrament. But those
words are not changed, whether spoken by a priest or by anyone else.
Therefore, it seems that not only a priest, but anyone else, can
consecrate this sacrament.
Objection 2: Further, the priest performs this sacrament in the
person of Christ. But a devout layman is united with Christ through
charity. Therefore, it seems that even a layman can perform this
sacrament. Hence Chrysostom (Opus imperfectum in Matth., Hom.
xliii) says that "every holy man is a priest."
Objection 3: Further, as Baptism is ordained for the salvation of
mankind, so also is this sacrament, as is clear from what was said
above (Question 74, Article 1; Question 79, Article 2).
But a layman can also baptize, as was stated above (Question 67,
Article 3). Consequently, the consecration of this sacrament is
not proper to a priest.
Objection 4: Further, this sacrament is completed in the
consecration of the matter. But the consecration of other matters such
as the chrism, the holy oil, and blessed oil, belongs exclusively to
a bishop; yet their consecration does not equal the dignity of the
consecration of the Eucharist, in which the entire Christ is
contained. Therefore it belongs, not to a priest, but only to a
bishop, to perform this sacrament.
On the contrary, Isidore says in an Epistle to Ludifred
(Decretals, dist. 25): "It belongs to a priest to consecrate
this sacrament of the Lord's body and blood upon God's altar."
I answer that, As stated above (Question 78, Articles
1,4), such is the dignity of this sacrament that it is performed
only as in the person of Christ. Now whoever performs any act in
another's stead, must do so by the power bestowed by such a one. But
as the power of receiving this sacrament is conceded by Christ to the
baptized person, so likewise the power of consecrating this sacrament
on Christ's behalf is bestowed upon the priest at his ordination: for
thereby he is put upon a level with them to whom the Lord said (Lk.
22:19): "Do this for a commemoration of Me." Therefore, it
must be said that it belongs to priests to accomplish this sacrament.
Reply to Objection 1: The sacramental power is in several things,
and not merely in one: thus the power of Baptism lies both in the
words and in the water. Accordingly the consecrating power is not
merely in the words, but likewise in the power delivered to the priest
in his consecration and ordination, when the bishop says to him:
"Receive the power of offering up the Sacrifice in the Church for
the living as well as for the dead." For instrumental power lies in
several instruments through which the chief agent acts.
Reply to Objection 2: A devout layman is united with Christ by
spiritual union through faith and charity, but not by sacramental
power: consequently he has a spiritual priesthood for offering
spiritual sacrifices, of which it is said (Ps. 1:19): "A
sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit"; and (Rm. 12:1):
"Present your bodies a living sacrifice." Hence, too, it is
written (1 Pt. 2:5): "A holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices."
Reply to Objection 3: The receiving of this sacrament is not of
such necessity as the receiving of Baptism, as is evident from what
was said above (Question 65, Articles 3,4; Question 80,
Article 11, ad 2). And therefore, although a layman can baptize
in case of necessity, he cannot perform this sacrament.
Reply to Objection 4: The bishop receives power to act on
Christ's behalf upon His mystical body, that is, upon the Church;
but the priest receives no such power in his consecration, although he
may have it by commission from the bishop. Consequently all such
things as do not belong to the mystical body are not reserved to the
bishop, such as the consecration of this sacrament. But it belongs to
the bishop to deliver, not only to the people, but likewise to
priests, such things as serve them in the fulfillment of their
respective duties. And because the blessing of the chrism, and of the
holy oil, and of the oil of the sick, and other consecrated things,
such as altars, churches, vestments, and sacred vessels, makes such
things fit for use in performing the sacraments which
belong to the priestly duty, therefore such consecrations are reserved
to the bishop as the head of the whole ecclesiastical order.
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