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Presbyterium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Presbyterium is a modern term used in the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Catholic Churches after the Second Vatican Council in reference to a college of priests, in active ministry, of an individual particular church such as a diocese or eparchy. The body, in union with their bishop as a collective, is a symbol of the collaborative and collegial nature of their sacerdotal ministry as inspired by the reforms made during the Second Vatican Council.
The presbyterium is most visible during the ordination of new priests and bishops and the Mass of the Chrism: the Holy Thursday Mass where the blessing of the oils used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders takes place. They are also visible during other special liturgical functions such as the wake and burial of their bishop.
In early Christianity, the presbyterium expressed the shared ministry of the bishops and priests before the establishment of the monarchial episcopate.
The presbyterate is another term used to refer to the sacerdotal collegiality of priests with their bishop, commonly used in the Anglican Communion. It is often reflected in the concelebration of the Eucharist, in joining the bishop in the laying on of hands on an ordinand to the priesthood, and in collegial procession at inductions, ordinations, funerals, and other liturgical activities. It is also used to refer to the order of priesthood generally - one is said to be "ordained to the presbyterate" or to the "college of presbyters."