Sacramental Character

Some Christian denominations believe that a sacramental character, an indelible spiritual ''mark'' (the meaning of the word ''character'' in Latin), is imprinted by any of three of the seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, and holy orders.

History

The doctrine was expressed by Augustine of Hippo in his religious controversies. The doctrine of the sacramental character was dogmatically defined by the Catholic Church at the 16th century Council of Trent.

Teaching by Christian denomination

Catholicism

This teaching is expressed as follows in the ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' (1992):

If it is doubtful whether a person has received the sacrament, the sacrament may be administered conditionally (using words such as for conditional baptism: "If thou art not baptized, I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"). However, such an administration is only valid and effective to the extent that no valid administration of the same sacrament has already occurred, as it does not in any event constitute an effective repetition of a valid previous administration of that sacrament.

The ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'', explains as follows the significance of the image of "seal", used as an alternative to that of "character":

Lutheranism

Lutheran theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg stated that "in terms of the thought of promise and sending that constantly govern the ordained and claim them for Christ's service, we no longer need to oppose ndelible characteron the Lutheran side, since this point of view finds expression in the Lutheran churches, too. Here there is no repetition of ordination".

Anglicanism

The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church in the United States teaches that "The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble".

Eastern Orthodoxy

In Eastern Orthodoxy, opinion on this concept vary.

Rodopoulos discusses the theory of what he calls the "ineradicable nature of priesthood", which is the theory that "ordination is ineradicable, and should a defrocked priest be restored, his ordination is not repeated". Rodopoulos states that " e asternOrthodox Church has not declared officially on this matter. The Church of Rome established this doctrine at the Council of Trent (1545 – 1563)". Rodopoulos adds: "Only some asternOrthodox theologians, influenced by Roman Catholic teachings, have accepted this theory. The long-standing practice of the Church, however, as well as its teaching on grace, reject the theory of the ineradicable nature of the priesthood. Priest who are defrocked return to the ranks of the laity or monks".

Calivas believes that " e character of ordination is indelible".

Scouteris considers that "no evidence concerning the indelible mark theory can be found in Patristic teaching. On the contrary, the canonical data leave no doubt that a defrocked priest or bishop, after the decision of the Church to take back his priesthood, returns to the rank of the laity. The anathematized or the defrocked are in no way considered to maintain their priesthood".

See also

* Sacraments (Catholic Church)
* Lutheran sacraments
* Anglican sacraments
* Conditional sacrament
* Sacramental matter and form

References

Further reading

"Character (in Catholic Theology)"
''Catholic Encyclopedia''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sacramental Character
Catholic theology and doctrine
Sacraments of the Catholic Church
category:Sacramental theology