On Holy Orders

First and Second Timothy and the book of Titus make up what are often referred to as the "Pastoral Epistles." Written by St. Paul, these three letters are not addressed to congregations at large but to shepherds of congregations directly. Paul’s intent in these letters is instruction for pastors - Timothy and Titus - as to how to properly care for the congregations entrusted to them. These letters deal with subjects such as the need to teach correct doctrine and proper church organization.

The fourth chapter of the first letter to Timothy deals directly with the need to teach correct doctrine. Timothy is reminded of the "Living God", instructed to "command and teach" true doctrine and is told that he is to read, exhort and teach until Paul's return. Paul continues his general theme of proper pastoral care for the flock and includes Timothy's need for dilligence and how he is to set the example for others.

It seems rather predictable at first glance.

Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Until I arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate. Be diligent in these matters, be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. (1 Timothy 4:12-15)

If one slows down just enough to remember that this is the inspired word of God, something begins to stand out. One verse seems oddly out of place. In the midst of reminding Timothy about the "Living God", that he is to adhere to the faith, to read, to teach and to set an example, Paul inserts the following line.

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate. (1 Timothy 4:14)

What are we to make of this verse? What "Gift" was Timothy given and how can this gift be conferred through spoken words and the imposition of hands of presbyters? Why was this statement placed in the context of being a good pastor? Paul gives us very strong clues, if not a direct answer itself, in his second letter to to the same Timothy.

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:6)

Paul again exhorts Timothy to make good use of his "Gift", this time identifying himself as having personally imposed hands upon Timothy. Paul is called an Apostle elsewhere in the New Testament; that he was a presbyter is without question. This time however, Paul clearly identifies the gift as the "Gift of God."

Non-Catholic Christians who object to any interpretation of scripture with even the slightest hint of agreement with Catholic doctrine will no doubt argue semantics - that the gift is "of" or from God and that God himself is not the gift. I'll leave proper grammar and the translation of ancient Greek to those with much more patience and time than I and simply note that all but the most radical non-Catholic sects (Jehovah's, Mormons, etc.) believe in a triune God - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - three persons but one God. The Father is God. Jesus Christ is God.

The Holy Spirit is God.

Consistent with Catholic beliefs, it is the receipt of the Holy Spirit in a special way, through the laying-on (imposition) of hands by other priests as well as the bishop, to which Paul is referencing. The "Gift of God" which Timothy recieved is the Holy Spirit - God himself - in a special way.

The thirteenth chapter of the book of Acts records how hands were imposed upon Barnabas and Saul and how they were subsequently "Sent forth by the holy spirit."

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off. So they, sent forth by the holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 13:1-4)

Earlier in Acts we see more hands being imposed during the ordination of the first deacons.

The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. (Acts 6:5-6)

The ritual of imposition of hands, and the very real effect it had are testified to in the Old Testament.

Now Joshua, son of Nun, was filled with the spirit of wisdom, since Moses had laid his hands upon him; and so the Israelites gave him their obedience, thus carrying out the LORD'S command to Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:9)

The Book of Deuteronomy clearly states how one human being (Joshua) was "filled with spirit of wisdom" through the imposition of hands of another human being (Moses). The Book of Wisdom calls Wisdom itself a gift from God, to be cherished more than silver and gold. Catholics view impostion of Mose's hands onto Joshua as sacramental - ordinary words spoken and ordinary actions taken which effects actual changes in a human being relative to God. Note the authority which was originally given by God to Moses being passed down to Joshua through this same imposition of hands.

The Apostolic Constitution Pontificalis Romani, issued by Pope Paul VI on June 18, 1968 describes form to be used in the rite of ordination of Priests as follows:

In the ordination of presbyters, the matter is likewise the laying of the bishop's hands on the individual candidates that is done in silence before the consecratory prayer; the form consists in the words of the consecratory prayer, of which the following belongs to the essence and are consequently required for validity:


Almighty Father, grant to these servants of yours the dignity of the priesthood. Renew within them the Spirit of holiness. As co-workers with the order of bishops may they be faithful to the ministry that they receive from you, Lord God, and be to others a model of right conduct.

Catholics believe that through special prayers and the imposition of hands of the Bishop and other priests, the ordained are given a special gift of the Holy Spirit. The use of words and actions by one human being to effect a very real change in status in another human being relative to God is what makes the action a sacrament. As the Baltimore Catechism famously stated, "…an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace."

One can rightly ask, if the "Gift of God" brought about by the "imposition of hands of the presbyterate" is not a reference to the reception of the Holy Spirit during the sacrament of Holy Orders, then what is it? But the onus to answer this question does not rest on Catholics. To those who deny the sacrament of Holy Orders, the onus is on you.

-Tim-