Whether the Consecration of This Sacrament Belongs to a Priest Alone?
Objection 1: It seems that the consecration of this sacrament does
not belong exclusively to a priest. Because it was said above (Q. 78,
A. 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.
Obj. 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."
Obj. 3: Further, as Baptism is ordained for the salvation of mankind,
so also is this sacrament, as is clear from what was said above (Q.
74, A. 1; Q. 79, A. 2). But a layman can also baptize, as was stated
above (Q. 67, A. 3). Consequently, the consecration of this sacrament
is not proper to a priest.
Obj. 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 (Q. 78, AA. 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 (Luke 22:19): "Do this
for a commemoration of Me." Therefore, it must be said that it
belongs to priests to accomplish this sacrament.
Reply Obj. 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 Obj. 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 (Rom. 12:1): "Present your bodies a living
sacrifice." Hence, too, it is written (1 Pet. 2:5): "A holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices."
Reply Obj. 3: The receiving of this sacrament is not of such
necessity as the receiving of Baptism, as is evident from what was
said above (Q. 65, AA. 3, 4; Q. 80, A. 11, ad 2). And therefore,
although a layman can baptize in case of necessity, he cannot perform
this sacrament.
Reply Obj. 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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