Holy Orders and ordained ministry
Holy Orders continues apostolic ministry through bishops, priests, and deacons. These degrees have distinct responsibilities in teaching, sanctifying, and pastoral service. Ordination is a sacrament and does not make a person exempt from accountability or more valuable than the laity. Eastern and Latin disciplines concerning married clergy differ; priestly celibacy should not be presented as identical to the sacrament itself.
Follow the sources
An original library introduction, with sources for further study. This is a starting point rather than a complete treatment or a finished formation lesson.