Augustine on Humility, Ecclesiastical Authority, and Pastoral Service
©2026 Victor R. Claveau, MJ Table of Contents Introduction Saint Augustine of Hippo taught that humility is the foundation of Christian life and especially necessary for Church leaders. He repeatedly warned bishops, priests, monks, and scholars against pride, ambition, and spiritual arrogance. According to Augustine, ecclesiastical authority exists for service rather than domination. Clergy who […]
The Selection of Bishops
©2025 Victor R. Claveau, MJ The present appointment process for the selection of diocesan bishops is widely perceived to be in need of serious reform. While the Church has long relied on a confidential and consultative system—typically involving apostolic nuncios, regional bishops, and recommendations forwarded to the Congregation for Bishops—the practical outcome in many regions […]
A Short Catechism on “Women Priests”
by John Vennari What is the Church’s teaching on women in the priesthood? The Church’s constant teaching can be summarized in three points. 1) God Himself determines who will exercise the function of the priesthood in the public liturgy. Not even Christ as man takes the honor to Himself, and to the Apostles He says, […]
Are Anglican Orders Valid?
At the beginning of its separation from Rome under Henry VIII, Anglicanism rejected practically nothing more that the primacy of the Roman pontiff. Later on, under Edward VI, it submitted to the influence of Lutheranism; still later, under Elizabeth, it yielded yet more influence to Calvinism. Anglicanism retained the hierarchical strata of the episcopacy, but […]
What is the difference between a Monk and a Friar?
Answer: A monk is one who has bound himself to the monastic life by taking vows in its integrity. In the Eastern churches all religious are monks; in the Western church, only the members of the following orders: the Benedictine, Carmeldolese, Vollombrosan, Sylvertrine, Olivetan, Cistercian, and Carthusian. Canons regular are sometimes referred to as monks; […]
What is the difference between a Permanent Deacon and a Transitional Deacon?
Permanent Deacon: A man who is ordained to the order of deacon and will remain as such. The restored deaconate is open to single and married men who assist priests in the administrative and pastoral care of souls. Transitional Deacon: A man who has been ordained to the deaconate but who ultimately will be ordained […]
Deaconesses
Rev. Herbert Thurston We can not be sure that any formal recognition of deaconesses as an institution of consecrated women aiding the clergy is to be found in the New Testament. There is indeed the mention of Phebe (Rom., xvi, 1), who is called diakonos, but this may simply mean, as the Vulgate renders it, that she […]
Frequently Asked Questions About Deacons
Who is a Deacon? A deacon is an ordained minister of the Catholic Church. There are three groups, or “orders,” of ordained ministers in the Church: bishops, presbyters and deacons. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came “to serve and not to be served.” […]
Theological Panel Rules Out Ordination of Women as Deacons
Defers to Magisterium for a Definitive Decision VATICAN CITY, OCT. 17, 2002 (Zenit.org).- The International Theological Commission announced that one of its recent documents excludes the possibility of the ordination of women to the diaconate. In the statement issued through the Vatican Press Office today, the general secretary of the International Theological Commission, Dominican Father […]
Celibacy in the Priesthood
Fr. William Saunders, PhD Lately, there has been so much talk about whether or not priests should get married. Why does the Church mandate that priests be celibate? In examining the issue of celibacy, we should first address its historical development in the life of the Church and then, next week, its spiritual […]