Presbyterate

A portion of the People of God entrusted to the pastoral care of a bishop with the cooperation of his presbyterate. A diocese is a particular church in which the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Christ is truly present and operative.

The sacramental act by which a baptized man is incorporated into one of the three degrees of Holy Orders—episcopate, presbyterate, or diaconate—through the laying on of hands and the consecratory prayer of a bishop. Ordination confers sacramental grace and an indelible spiritual character.