In Persona Christi Information
In persona Christi - a Latin phrase meaning "in the person of Christ" - is an important theological concept in Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism which refers to the action of a bishop or priest while celebrating a sacrament. The priest acts in the person of Christ in the pronouncing of the words of the sacramental rite. Unlike Roman Catholics, however, Lutherans reject sacerdotalism. They also do not attempt to attach an exact moment or time to sacramental acts, as Roman Catholics.
In Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism, there are essential moments in the rites where the priest's words and gestures confect the sacrament. These words are spoken in persona Christi capitis. Two examples include "This is my body" and "This is my blood" in the Eucharistic prayer and "God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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Catholic References
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994, 1997, paragraph 1548 and following
John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, (17 April 2003)
Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, (21 Nov 1964)
Pius XII, Encyclical Letter Mediator Dei (20 November 1947)
Pius XI, Encyclical Letter Ad Catholici Sacerdotii (20 December 1935)
Pius X, Apostolic Exhortation Haerent Animo (4 August 1908)
Related concepts
Male priesthood
The doctrine is used the justify the teaching of an all-male priesthood, as Jesus is held to be a priest in the order of Melchizedek and a perfect man.
Clerical celibacy
The doctrine is also used the support the discipline of clerical celibacy, as it is generally believed that Christ was a celibate all his life.
Categories: Catholic liturgy | Catholic priesthood | Latin religious phrases | Clerical celibacy | Ordination of women | Christian terms
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