Holy Orders

‘Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers.’ (St Thomas Aquinas)

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is made up of three degrees: the episcopate, the priesthood and the diaconate. In the Catholic Church this sacrament can only be validly received by a baptised man who has been judged suitable for the ministry by the appropriate authorities of the Church.

Any baptised Catholic man interested in finding out about the priesthood or diaconate is advised to contact one of the Cathedral clergy.