ex opere operato

[catholictiger]

could someone explain this latin phrase to me

I found the definition online but I still don’t fully get it. I found that it means from the work done in latin.

how does this if at all apply to priest.

thanks

 

[Elizium23]

The Catechism says this:

1128 This is the meaning of the Church’s affirmation49 that the sacraments act ex opere operato (literally: “by the very fact of the action’s being performed”), i.e., by virtue of the saving work of Christ, accomplished once for all. It follows that "the sacrament is not wrought by the righteousness of either the celebrant or the recipient, but by the power of God."50 From the moment that a sacrament is celebrated in accordance with the intention of the Church, the power of Christ and his Spirit acts in and through it, independently of the personal holiness of the minister. Nevertheless, the fruits of the sacraments also depend on the disposition of the one who receives them.

 

[catholictiger]

thanks I pretty much get this after reading that, I think someone used this to defend the church from priest who are involved with the abuse scandal, someone believes why should you believe anything about the church if they have 10% of their leaders involved with these kinda things.

then someone simply repsonded by saying ex opere operato, probably not the best way to repsond to someone cause they don’t know what it means but this where the question came up.

 

[Elizium23]

It is the opposite stance of the Donatist heresy (Wikipedia) and (Catholic Encyclopedia) which attempted to teach that administration of the sacraments by traditors (betrayers of Christianity) was invalid because of the sinfulness of the minister. This was declared heresy by Marcellinus of Carthage, but the Donatists existed until the Arab conquest of the 7th century, and indeed it still pops up with regularity.

 

[diggerdomer]

thanks I pretty much get this after reading that, I think someone used this to defend the church from priest who are involved with the abuse scandal, someone believes why should you believe anything about the church if they have 10% of their leaders involved with these kinda things.

then someone simply repsonded by saying ex opere operato, probably not the best way to repsond to someone cause they don’t know what it means but this where the question came up.

Excellent question, and points you raised. In short, the Latin phrase refers to the fundamental Church teaching that it is Christ (God) who acts in the Sacraments, primarily, and so their (the Sacraments) efficacy and validity is not solely dependent on the minister (or recipient).