“You are a priest forever like Melchizedek of Old” with these words a person goes from being a simple follower of Jesus Christ to an individual whose live is now dedicated to serve God and His children.
A priest becomes the hands, feet, mouth and human voice of Almighty God here on earth to give solace and comfort and affirmation of God’s infinite love and mercy to all the children of God regardless of their race, creed, color, sex or orientation.
The first and primary responsibility of a priest is to serve simply as a humble obedient servant of the Lord here on earth. All the titles in the world cannot raise a person any higher in the eyes of God than being a good and faithful servant as a priest.
Titles of Monsignor, Bishop, Cardinal, Evangelist, Prophet, King, Prince, President, CEO, or Pope, do not make anyone greater in God’s eyes than a priest who serves God’s children, from the heart. Whenever God has chosen to communicate with us here on earth, He rarely makes himself known to those with titles or great fortunes. He generally appears to the simple poor individual who believes in and loves him deeply.
Could it be that they, with their lofty titles or grandiose life styles have lost sight of God’s original intent? Could it be that they use their positions of power to decipher the word of God to their own self-interests? These are questions to be asked without judging, without casting accusations, but with loving concern for those who misuse their power, their authority, and in some cases wealth, at the expense or detriment of their fellow man.
I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells. Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me. My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD.
[Psalm 26 6-12]
It does not mater if you are male or female, a minister or a priest, you should be either married or celibate, or in a long term monogamous relationship. You can not maintain decorum in your congregation and be polyamorous in your intimate life. You must send the message to your congregation that you are above reproach, and that your church is a house of God and not a swingers club.
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; Titus 1:7 (King James Version)
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 1 Timothy 3:2 (King James Version)
No one should ever get the message that you are trying to seduce them or one of their family. Consider all the scandals of recent years involving both protestant and catholic ministers, the clergy must send the message that these acts be they of a sexual nature or financial nature will no longer be tolerated. This is what The Arch Diocese of St Michaels demands of it’s clergy.
The Archdiocese of St Michael 