Clerics?

[Guest catholic girl]

What are they? I thought the roman collar was people mean when they say clerics. Can you post pictures?

[cappie]

From the Code of Canon Law:

[b]Can. 207 §1 By divine institution, among Christ's faithful there are in the Church sacred ministers, who in law are also called clerics - the others are called lay people.[/b]

§2 Drawn from both groups are those of Christ's faithful who, professing the evangelical counsels through vows or other sacred bonds recognised and approved by the Church, are consecrated to God in their own special way and promote the salvific mission of the Church. Their state, although it does not belong to the hierarchical structure of the Church, does pertain to its life and holiness.

Clerics are Deacons, Ordained Priests and Bishops. All others in the Church are called by Canon Law lay people

I don't have pictures I'm an ordained priest but I'm shy

Maybe someone else can :

[Cam42]

Cappie is right.

I am an installed acolyte. Insofar as this is the case, I can expose and repose the Blessed Sacrament, function as a vested minister in several functions of the Mass (ie. subdeacon in a solemn Mass or a vested crucifer).

Before Vatican Council II, one was ordained to the highest of the minor orders, however, it was changed around 1972 to institution. Now, any MAN can be instituted as an acolyte, although it is rare today.

An acolyte can be vested in tunic and serve as a "sub deacon."

1. Everything is part of their regular duty except performing baptisms. That would be an extraordinary function. An acolyte cannot perform baptisms as a priest or a deacon would.

2. An acolyte is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. He is not an ordinary minister, in any sense of the word. That function is proper to the bishop, priest, and deacon (cf. Redemptionis Sacramentum #154). This speaks directly to Cappie's post.

3. The reason that you don't see them, is that there are not many out there. The role is mainly reserved for those who are in seminary and then it is for only half a year or so, depending on the seminary. However, there are some who leave the seminary or those who have by virtue of other reasoning, which have been installed as acolytes by necessity. The latter, however is rare.

The idea of acolytes is finding a bit of a ressurgance lately. Look to the diocese of Baker, Oregon. Bishop Vasa has started an acolyte program. I believe more are on the way. Incidentally, I am an instituted acolyte. I speak from experience on this issue.

I am formally entrusted with lighting the altar candles.

I am a permanent Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.

I can assist the deacon during the Mass.

I can purify the vessels after Holy Communion.

I can expose and repose the Blessed Sacrament.

Here is a pic of me assisting two deacons and the late Bishop Welsh:
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v672/camilam42/crossblessing-1024.jpg[/img]

I am the young, sandy blonde standing behind the gray-haired deacon holding the Pontificale Romanum.