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Objection 1: It seems that a degraded priest cannot consecrate this
sacrament. For no one can perform this sacrament except he have the
power of consecrating. But the priest "who has been degraded has no
power of consecrating, although he has the power of baptizing"
(App. Gratiani). Therefore it seems that a degraded priest cannot
consecrate the Eucharist.
Objection 2: Further, he who gives can take away. But the bishop
in ordaining gives to the priest the power of consecrating. Therefore
he can take it away by degrading him.
Objection 3: Further, the priest, by degradation, loses either
the power of consecrating, or the use of such power. But he does not
lose merely the use, for thus the degraded one would lose no more than
one excommunicated, who also lacks the use. Therefore it seems that
he loses the power to consecrate, and in consequence that he cannot
perform this sacrament.
On the contrary, Augustine (Contra Parmen. ii) proves that
"apostates" from the faith "are not deprived of their Baptism,"
from the fact that "it is not restored to them when they return
repentant; and therefore it is deemed that it cannot be lost." But
in like fashion, if the degraded man be restored, he has not to be
ordained over again. Consequently, he has not lost the power of
consecrating, and so the degraded priest can perform this sacrament.
I answer that, The power of consecrating the Eucharist belongs to
the character of the priestly order. But every character is
indelible, because it is given with a kind of consecration, as was
said above (Question 63, Article 5), just as the consecrations
of all other things are perpetual, and cannot be lost or repeated.
Hence it is clear that the power of consecrating is not lost by
degradation. For, again, Augustine says (Contra Parmen. ii):
"Both are sacraments," namely Baptism and order, "and both are
given to a man with a kind of consecration; the former, when he is
baptized; the latter when he is ordained; and therefore it is not
lawful for Catholics to repeat either of them." And thus it is
evident that the degraded priest can perform this sacrament.
Reply to Objection 1: That Canon is speaking, not as by way of
assertion, but by way of inquiry, as can be gleaned from the context.
Reply to Objection 2: The bishop gives the priestly power of
order, not as though coming from himself, but instrumentally, as
God's minister, and its effect cannot be taken away by man,
according to Mt. 19:6: "What God hath joined together, let no
man put asunder." And therefore the bishop cannot take this power
away, just as neither can he who baptizes take away the baptismal
character.
Reply to Objection 3: Excommunication is medicinal. And therefore
the ministry of the priestly power is not taken away from the
excommunicate, as it were, perpetually, but only for a time, that
they may mend; but the exercise is withdrawn from the degraded, as
though condemned perpetually.
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