Holy Orders

All baptized people share in the priesthood of Christ by virtue of their Baptism. AS the First Letter of Peter says: “Let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood” (2:5). The church calls this the common priesthood of the faithful. Within this common priesthood, some people are called to unique participation in the mission of Christ as ordained priests and bishops. Their role is to serve the Christian community in the name of Christ and to represent Christ in the community. Because Christ is the head of the Church, this means priests and bishops exercise a unique leadership role in the liturgy and in community life.
The role that bishops and priests play in community life does not make them more important in the eyes of God than any other person. Nor does it mean that they are holier than laypeople – God calls us all to lives of perfect holiness according to our vocation. However, the priesthood of the mean called to ordained ministry is different in its essence from the common priesthood of all the baptized. They have unique responsibilities that no layperson can fulfill. These unique responsibilities fall into three areas: teaching, divine worship (the liturgy) and Church leadership or governance.
 

The priest is a coworker with the bishop in a diocese. All the priest of a diocese, united with the bishop, are called the presbyterium of the diocese. The bishop assigns each priest to a particular parish or diocesan ministry, and the priest is responsible for leading it in the name of the bishop. Priests can celebrate all the Sacraments except Confirmation (unless given special permission) and Holy Orders.

A deacon is ordained for works of service and liturgical ministry, as directed by the Bishop. A deacon may or may not be assigned to a parish. A deacon assists the bishop and priests with the celebration of the Eucharist, including the proclamation of the Gospel, giving homilies, and distribution of Holy Communion. Deacons can also baptize, bless marriages, and preside over funerals. But they also dedicate themselves to works of charity and compassion in the community. However, they cannot confect the sacraments (change the bread and wine into the Body and blood of Christ during Mass) and they cannot forgive sins.