Anglican Orders - Ministry and The Sacraments

Ministry and The Sacraments

In Anglican sacramental theology, certain ministerial functions can only be performed by individuals ordained into one or more of the three holy orders. There are two kinds of ministers in this sense. The ordinary minister of a sacrament has both the spiritual power to perform the sacrament (i.e. a valid sacrament) and the legal authority to perform the sacrament (i.e. a licit sacrament). An extraordinary minister has the spiritual power but may only perform the sacrament in certain special instances under canon law (i.e. emergencies). If a person who is neither an ordinary nor an extraordinary minister attempts to perform a sacrament, no preternatural effect happens (i.e. the putative sacrament is not merely illicit, but invalid).

In the Anglican Communion, the following are ministers of the sacraments ("clergy" refers to either a deacon, priest, or bishop):

• Baptism: clergy (laity may administer only in cases of emergency).
• Confirmation: bishop.
• Eucharist: bishop or priest (consecration); clergy and/or laity licensed by the diocesan bishop (administration).
• Reconciliation of a penitent: bishop or priest.
• Healing (Anointing): bishop or priest.
• Matrimony: the individuals to be married (presided over by clergy)
• Holy Orders: at least one bishop ordains deacons and priests; three or more bishops ordain other bishops.