Expert: Sal - 5/31/2004

Question
Hi Sal,

I understand that there is no valid priesthood in Lutheranism because when Luther broke away from the Catholic church, no bishops joined his revolt.  However, this was not the case with Anglicanism, so can you explain why there is no valid priesthood in Anglicanism?  I know that in every Catholic church there is a candle that burns in the sacristy to show that Jesus is really present.  How does the church make sure that this candle never burns out?  Is it so that every minute of every hour of every day, Jesus' sacrifice is perpetuated in a Catholic church?  If this is so today, how could it be so in the early days when the Catholic church is not as universal as it is today?  Was the perpetual nature of the sacrifice the presence of the living Christ in the tabernacle?  When Luther changed transubstantiation to consubstantiation, do you know if he believed Christ was present before the grapes were made into wine and before the wheat was made into the eucharistic host, or if his real presence was only realized at the moment that wine and bread were placed on the altar?  This seems to be a major flaw with his doctrine because I don't think consubstantiation adequately answers this question, does it?

Thanks.

Answer
Dear Les:

Anglican orders were formally pronounced invalid by Pope Leo XIII in the letter “Apostolicae Curae” of 1896. The reason is that although valid Bishops joined King Henry VIII the ordination rite was subsequently changed by Edward VI in 1550. Also the sacrificial nature of the priesthood was abandoned as well. These deficiencies made it impossible to ordain any priests validly. It was not until 1662 that an attempt was made to correct these deficiencies. Unfortunately, during the 112 years between valid ordinations all valid Bishops had died. Therefore, all Anglican ordinations since 1662 have lacked a valid Bishop which is absolutely necessary for valid priests to be consecrated. All the ordinations from 1550-1662 were invalid because they lacked proper form even when a valid Bishop was still alive.

The candle kept burning near the tabernacle is only a symbol. In todays modern churches it is usually an electric light. Its absence does not in anyway affect the Real Presence.  

I have also heard that the sacrifice of the Mass is offered somewhere around the world every hour of everyday. I don't know if such a claim can be verified. I have no problem with it since there are so many Catholic churches throughout the world.

I don't think that it was true in the early Church because of the smaller number of churches.

Luther believed that the bread and wine remained so until the consecration. Then Jesus became present with the bread or wine. Karl Keating of Catholic Answers (www.catholic.com) said that Luther's Consubstantiation made Jesus into a pastry.

I hope that I was helpful to you.

God Bless You,
Sal