Changes

A '''Priest''' is a [[Roman Catholic]] or [[Eastern Orthodox]] clergyman ranking above [[deacon]] but below [[bishop]], corresponding to a ''presbyter'' in the early church.  ''Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.  (1 Timothy 4:14)''  

A '''Priest''' is a [[Roman Catholic]] or [[Eastern Orthodox]] clergyman ranking above [[deacon]] but below [[bishop]], corresponding to a ''presbyter'' in the early church.  ''Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.  (1 Timothy 4:14)''  

Priests preside at [[Mass]] and at the Sacraments of Baptism, Matrimony, Reconciliation, and Healing.  From the early 4th Century a discipline of celibacy has been in place for Roman Catholic priests.  In recent times the Church is finding it difficult to replace aging priests and there are pressures to retain priests even if parishioners have come forward with accusations against them.

Priests preside at [[Mass]] and at the Sacraments of [[Baptism]], [[Matrimony]], Reconciliation, and Healing.  From the early 4th Century a discipline of [[celibacy]] has been in place for Roman Catholic priests.  In recent times the Church is finding it difficult to replace aging priests and there are pressures to retain priests even if parishioners have come forward with accusations against them.

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Christian Group Structuring]]

[[Category:Christian Group Structuring]]

[[Category:Catholic Church]]

[[Category:Catholic Church]]