them to themselves, are not to be looked upon as ministers of the Church, but as thieves mid robbers, who have not entered by the door' (John x. 1, 8).
11. Can a Priest be deprived of his Ordination?
No; he can as little be deprived of Ordination as of Baptism, because it imprints an indelible character upon the soul.
A Priest, therefore, or a Bishop, cannot be deprived of the powers which he has received in his Ordination or Consecration to change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and to offer up the H0I7 Sacrifice of the Mass, to administer Confirmation, Extreme Unction, and Holy Orders; but the power of remitting sins by Sacramental Absolution can be taken from him, because the valid administration of the Sacrament of Penance is also dependent on Jurisdiction — that is to say, on his mission or authorization by a lawful spiritual Superior (comp. p. 280, note to quest. 7). For this very reason the Priest and Bishops of the schismatical Greek Church, and all those who ever have fallen away from the Catholic Church, retain the powers of their Ordination and Consecration which originally they received from the Catholic Church; but all other spiritual power which depends on the Apostolical Mission, and comes from the Head of the Catholic Church, expires with their separation from the Church.
12. Are there any other Orders besides those of Priest and Bishop?
Yes; there are others which are preparatory degrees to the Priesthood.
13. Which are these other Orders?
1. The Four Minor Orders, by which those who receive them are qualified for various offices connected with the Divine Service; namely, those of Porter, Lector, Exorcist, and Acolyte.
2. The Order of Sub-deacon, who has to assist the Deacon when serving at the altar; and
3. The Order of Deacon, who immediately assists the Priest at the altar, and helps him also in baptizing, preaching, and giving Holy Communion.
14. Who can and ought to embrace the Ecclesiastical state?
