Questions tagged [clergy]

For questions relating to the subject of formal leaders within established Christian denominations.

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What are the positions relative to each other in the Catholic church's clerical hierarchy?

I sometimes find myself lost in my own church's different levels of clergy and the Catholic church's seems even more complex? What different positions in the clergy exist within the Roman Catholic ...
Reluctant_Linux_User's user avatar
47 votes
6 answers
19k views

When did the prohibition of marriage for priests in the Catholic church originate?

The Bible mentions that one of the miracles Jesus performed was the healing of Peter's mother-in-law. This makes it quite clear that Peter himself was married, and Peter is the considered the first ...
Narnian's user avatar
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What is the difference between a pastor, a priest, and a minister?

No, this is not the start of a joke about a bunch of people walking into a bar. Rather, I thought it would be helpful to clarify various titles that people give to leadership roles in churches.
Affable Geek's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
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Significance of different colored vestments worn by Catholic clergy

What color vestments are worn by the Catholic clergy (Roman rite) during Mass, and what is their significance?
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4 votes
1 answer
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Is it true that Luther didn't consider anyone of the Catholic clergy to be a member of the true Church of God?

Someone told me that Luther had a teaching about the true invisible Church that was a far cry from what could be seen as the Church at his time. Is it true that Luther didn't consider anyone of the ...
brilliant's user avatar
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When did the Catholic Church first prohibit bishops from remarrying?

We see the exhortation of St. Paul at 1 Timothy 3: 1-3: The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
2k views

What is the biblical basis/justification for requiring a pastor be educated?

As a Baptist, while I don't know of any specific requirements for a pastor, it is generally accepted that a head pastor would have some sort of seminary education, be it a Masters or even a Doctorate ...
A. Still's user avatar
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3 answers
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From where does the teaching on women in ministry come? [duplicate]

First off, since I know this may be a somewhat controversial question in today's climate, let me just state that I'm not intending to take any part in that controversy. I'm just asking this question ...
Dolda2000's user avatar
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What differentiates a priest, a clerk, a capellanus, a subdeacon and a rector?

I have been looking at the list of rectors of Eversholt church, Bedfordshire, from the Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue. The various people listed there are each described as one of: (with ...
emrys57's user avatar
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1 answer
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Martin Luther's take on Roman Catholic clergy individuals living (immediately) before him

Is there any evidence that Martin Luther considered any of the Roman Catholic clergymen who lived in the centuries preceding his own lifetime (evidence related to those living in the centuries ...
brilliant's user avatar
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What is the argument against the imposition of clerical celibacy as practiced in the Roman Catholic Church?

The Roman Catholic Church requires its priests to practice celibacy. This has not always been the case, though. In fact, it was not instituted until the 11th century. Protestant churches have no ...
Narnian's user avatar
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How do I interpret this list of mediaeval rectors?

This is a rewording of the question What differentiates a priest, a clerk, a capellanus, a subdeacon and a rector?. While I asked much the same questions within the body of the article there, the ...
emrys57's user avatar
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How do the Pope, Bishops, Priests relate to one another in the Catholic Church's hierarchy? [duplicate]

This excellent question What are the positions relative to each other in the Catholic church's clerical hierarchy? | @Reluctant_Linux_User and its answers have revived some questions on my part which ...
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