Why can only Bishops..?

[j802]

Why can only Bishops start the mass by saying “Peace be with you”?

Thx!!!

See:
myweb.lmu.edu/fjust/Mass.htm

Option C: Priest: The Lord be with you.

       [or [color=#ff0000]*Bishop*:  Peace be with            you.]

       * ** All*****: **            **And also with you.**

 

[Dr.Bombay]

It’s an episcopal perogative.

Actually, I have no idea. I just wanted to type “episcopal perogative.”

 

[James0235]

While this it by no means an official answer I just always tended to think of it this way:

It is appropriate for the bishop to say “Peace be with you” instead of “The Lord be with you” because when the bishop is present, the Lord is already with us in a special way in the person of one of the decendants of the apostles.

James

 

[FrRobSST]

James0235:

While this it by no means an official answer I just always tended to think of it this way:

It is appropriate for the bishop to say “Peace be with you” instead of “The Lord be with you” because when the bishop is present, the Lord is already with us in a special way in the person of one of the decendants of the apostles.

James

James is on the right track here. Originally, the presbyterate and episcopate were not terribly distinct. Peter in the New Testament refers to himself as a Presbyter. We know he was a bishop (see Acts) and so we see the confusion at this point. By about 200, the confusion was almost gone everywere, but Bishops were still the chief celebrants at the Liturgy. As a descendent of the apostles, they began with the Pax Vobiscum. As a matter of differentiation, when presbyterial celebration of the Eucharist became the norm in the post-constantianian Church, the Pax was reserved to the Bishop and the presbyters began with the Dominus Vobiscum.

Rob+