ONLY AN UNQUESTIONABLY VALIDLY ORDAINED PRIEST
 

Number of the Orders

"It must then be taught that all these orders are comprised in seven, and that this has been the constant teaching of the Catholic Church. Their names are: Porter, Reader, Exorcist, Acolyte, Sub-deacon, Deacon, Priest. That this number of ministers was wisely thus instituted, may be proved from the functions that seem necessary to the solemn celebration of the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and to the consecration or administration of the Eucharist, on account of which principally they were established. Of these some are greater, which are also called "holy," some lesser [called "minor orders"]. The greater, or holy, are sub-deaconship, deaconship, and priesthood; the lesser [or minor orders] are porter, reader, exorcist, and acolyte. To supply pastors with matter wherewith they may instruct those especially who they know are to be initiated in some order, a few words are necessary on each."



Order is strictly speaking a Sacrament

"That sacred ordination is to be numbered amongst the other sacraments of the Church, the holy Council of Trent has established on the principle which has been repeatedly mentioned for as a sacrament is a sign of the sacred thing, and as the external forms used in this consecration are significant of the grace and power conferred on him who is consecrated, it very clearly follows that order is to be pronounced really and truly a sacrament. Wherefore, the bishop, handing to him who is being ordained priest, a chalice containing wine and water, and a paten with bread, says: "Receive the power of offering sacrifice," &c.; by which words the Church has always taught, that, whilst the matter is being presented, the power of consecrating the Eucharist is conferred, a character being impressed on the soul, to which is attached grace for the due and legitimate discharge of this ministry, as the Apostle declares in these words: "I admonish thee that thou stir up the grace of God, which is in thee by the imposition of my hands; for God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of sobriety" (2 Tim. i, 6, sq.)".

Quote from the Catechism of
The Council of Trent




965. In conferring any of the orders, the minister must observe accurately the proper rites as described in the Pontificate Romanum and other liturgical books approved by the Church, and it is not lawful for any reason to omit these rites or invert their order (Canon 1002).

In the course of centuries the sacred rites and ceremonies observed in the conferring of the various orders have grown from their original simple forms to the present elaborate functions, which have become fixed law in virtue of the official character of the Pontificale Romanum, wherein are contained all the prayers and ceremonies of ordination. In 1596 Pope Clement VIII published the official Pontificale Romanum, and commanded that it be used exclusively in the Church of the Latin Rite in the ordination ceremonies and in other sacred rites of the Pontificale Romanum be followed with absolute accuracy. This is of the greatest importance because the essential rites of the various orders are so entwined with other sacred ceremonies that it would be dangerous to omit ceremonies indiscriminately, and thus perhaps fail to employ even the essential ones necessary for validity of the orders.

CHAPTER IV
OF THE RITES AND CEREMONIES OF SACRED ORDINATION
FROM THE PRE-VATICAN II CODE OF CANON LAW




"The consecration of a bishop is reserved to the Roman Pontiff in such a manner that no bishop is allowed to confer episcopal consecration on anyone unless he has first ascertained that there is a papal mandate to that effect." - Canon 953.

FROM THE PRE-VATICAN II
CODE OF CANON LAW
AS QUOTED IN QUOTE-UNQUOTE JULY 1988




881. The bishop is the ordinary minister of sacred ordination. The extraordinary minister is that person who, though without the episcopal character, has received the power to confer some orders either by law or by special indult of the Apostolic See (Canon 951).

CHAPTER I OF THE MINISTER OF HOLY ORDERS
FROM THE PRE-VATICAN II CODE OF CANON LAW