Consecrator
Encyclopedia
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman
Catholic Church to designate a bishop
who ordains
a priest
to the episcopal
state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop. A "Principal Co-Consecrator" is a bishop who assists the Principal Consecrator in the ordination of a new bishop. While legally only one bishop is needed to raise a priest to the episcopal state once the priest has been named a bishop by the Pope, there are normally two principal co-consecrators at the ordination (for the ordination of a diocesan bishop, the principal consecrator will usually be his metropolitan archbishop assisted by two other bishops). While there are often other bishops in attendance at an episcopal ordination, they are designated as co-consecrators and are generally not recorded in any documentation supporting the elevation of a new bishop. Once a new diocesan bishop is ordained, he then must be installed as bishop of his see, either during the service or at a later date.
Roman Catholic (term)
The term Roman Catholic appeared in the English language at the beginning of the 17th century, to differentiate specific groups of Christians in communion with the Pope from others; comparable terms in other languages already existed...
Catholic Church to designate a bishop
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
who ordains
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
a priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
to the episcopal
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop. A "Principal Co-Consecrator" is a bishop who assists the Principal Consecrator in the ordination of a new bishop. While legally only one bishop is needed to raise a priest to the episcopal state once the priest has been named a bishop by the Pope, there are normally two principal co-consecrators at the ordination (for the ordination of a diocesan bishop, the principal consecrator will usually be his metropolitan archbishop assisted by two other bishops). While there are often other bishops in attendance at an episcopal ordination, they are designated as co-consecrators and are generally not recorded in any documentation supporting the elevation of a new bishop. Once a new diocesan bishop is ordained, he then must be installed as bishop of his see, either during the service or at a later date.