From the hands of Grace comes the touch of sin.

As the bishop anoints the hands of a newly ordained priest he says; “The Father anointed Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. May Jesus preserve you to sanctify the Christian people and to offer sacrifice to God.”

These hands do more than touch heads in baptism, bless those who are severely sick or dying, and turn the pages of life’s iniquities in confession. They are the assurance that Christ left his Holy Spirit with mankind after his ascension to heaven. These are the essence of God using human persons to continue his kingdom to flourish.

Words many of us heard back in the 1940’s and beyond that a priest is almost untouchable because of his closeness to God. But, we discovered, as we matured, that this was not the case. Holy Orders is special and conferred upon men who have a calling to a different life from marriage or secular life. However, they are still men with weaknesses that can overtake their ordination.

Whenever Moses went out to the tent, the people would all rise and stand at the entrance of their own tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses entered the tent the column of cloud would come down and stand at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses. (Ex 33: 8 - 9). There is doubt that this was the most perfect union God had with Moses.

However, beyond the mystery of God speaking face to face with Moses does not carry over in today’s Church. Moses’ face would gleam with a holiness that is not paralleled anywhere today. But, the words spoken by the bishop as he anoints the new priest’s hands is as holy as Moses listening to God. There is a deep regard for the Roman priesthood and Holy Orders that can come only through ordination.

What has happened to some of these chosen men who received Holy Orders and allowed the sin of personal gratification to take over and abuse innocent boys, and girls in some cases? Questions from the laity may ask; “How can he forgive sin, consecrate the elements of bread and wine into the Real presence of Christ as his Body and Blood now came from his hands? Can God allow such a travesty to occur on our altars? Were the blessings he convoked actually valid?

God uses humanity to do his bidding on earth. Christ told Peter when he said; “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” (Jn 13: 38). Are the sexual weaknesses by some priests the same as denying Christ, whose name they allude to through holy orders? I would have to say yes. All sin, be it mortal or venial still offends God. To whom did Jesus go to the Cross at Calvary in order to forgive them? Everyone can agree that sexual abuse, especially through anyone in holy orders (deacons, priests, bishops, and archbishops) will be judged accordingly. But, their sacramental duties are still valid in spite of their sinfulness. When sacraments are invoked by any of these men, remember God does not depend on their holiness; It is through the Holy Spirit that God works, not the human person. God extends his blessings using humans, but the grace is from God, alone.

Through the ordained ministry, especially that of bishops and priests, the presence of Christ as head of the Church is made visible in the midst of the community of believers. In the beautiful expression of St. Ignatius of Antioch, the bishop is typos tou Patros: he is like the living image of God the Father. (CCC 1549).

This presence of Christ in the minister is not to be understood as if the latter were preserved from all human weaknesses, the spirit of domination, error, even sin. The power of the Holy Spirit does not guarantee all acts of ministers in the same way. While this guarantee extends to the sacraments, so that even the minister’s sin cannot impede the fruit of grace, in many other acts the minister leaves human traces that are not always signs of fidelity to the Gospel and consequently can harm the apostolic fruitfulness of the Church. (CCC 1550).

Ralph B. Hathaway