Sacramentish of the Sick

[dans0622]

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Did you conclude, though, that it’s appropriate to have a binary distinction (‘ordained’ and ‘unordained’), and that consecrated religious and ‘laity’ fall into the latter?

More to the point, I guess, does ‘separate canonical status’ address what we’re touching upon here (that is, a status that is sacramental in nature, rather than asserted by law)?

Hello,

Indeed, a person is either ordained (a “sacred minister”) or not and that’s a matter of divine institution (as c. 207 says). This distinction arises as a result of the Sacrament of Orders and applies to everyone, whether “religious” or not.

Nevertheless, the “religious state” arose out of divine inspiration, is clearly regulated by law and is ritually entered through the assumption of the vows; in light of these facts, it is certainly and obviously distinct from the lay state (cf. LG 31, Vita consecrata, 31, etc…).

Here you have 40+ pages condensed into 40+ words. Maybe I could have used an editor…a better one, that is.

Dan