Of the Minister of This Sacrament

Of the Minister of This Sacrament — St. Thomas Aquinas asks: Whether a layman can confer this sacrament?; Whether deacons can confer this sacrament?; Whether none but a bishop can confer this sacrament?.

We must now consider the minister of this sacrament: under which head there are three points of inquiry:

Article 1: Whether a layman can confer this sacrament?

Remission of sins is given in this sacrament. But laymen have not the power to forgive sins. Therefore, etc.

According to Dionysius (Eccl. Hier. v) there are some who exercise hierarchical actions, and some who are recipients only. Hence laymen are officially incompetent to dispense any sacrament: and that they can baptize in cases of necessity, is due to the Divine dispensation, in order that no one may be deprived of spiritual regeneration.

Article 2: Whether deacons can confer this sacrament?

It is written (James 5:14): "Let him bring in the priests of the Church."

A deacon has the power to cleanse but not to enlighten. Hence, since enlightenment is an effect of grace, no sacrament whereby grace is conferred can be given by a deacon in virtue of his office: and so he cannot confer this sacrament, since grace is bestowed therein.

Article 3: Whether none but a bishop can confer this sacrament?

The minister of this sacrament has to be brought in to the recipient, as is clear from James 5:14. Now a bishop cannot go to all the sick people of his diocese. Therefore the bishop is not the only one who can confer this sacrament.

According to Dionysius (Eccl. Hier. v), the office of perfecting belongs to a bishop, just as it belongs to a priest to enlighten. Wherefore those sacraments are reserved to a bishop's dispensation, which place the recipient in a state of perfection above others. But this is not the case with this sacrament, for it is given to all. Consequently it can be given by ordinary priests.