medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Marjorie Greene wrote:
>
> We're not arguing about anything. I simply wondered if the principle
> behind "ex opere operato" applied in the consecration of a bishop b/c
> I'm not sure if the principle applies to anything but the
> administration of the sacraments and I don't know if the consecration
> of a bishop is a "sacrament" (though not in the list of the official
> 7) or if it falls under the rubric of Holy Orders. That's why I
> questioned the reason for the removal of the pope who elevated
> Stigand. If it was simply b/c he was a moral bum, the consecration of
> Stigand would stand; if he wasn't pope at all, the consecration was
> presumably invalid.
1) Yes, consecration of a bishop is a sacrament.
2) Yes, it is "holy orders" (the number of orders has varied over the
centuries...)
3) This has nothing to do with Stigand (which was about his appointment as
archbishop. Archbishop is a rank, not an order.)
4) The pope who confirmed Stigand's appointment (Benedict X) is officially a
non-person (antipope), although he remains in the official numbering.
Again, "pope" is a rank, not an order, so the question of invalidity
wouldn't arise, even if we were talking about consecration (which we
weren't).
"Ex opere operato" is technically about the efficacy of sacraments rather
than their validity, but it is not easy to separate the two. Suppose a
bishop's consecration was later found to be invalid. Which of the
sacramental acts he performed would be regarded as valid? Depending on the
circumstances, confirmation probably would be, ordination of priests might
be, consecration of bishops wouldn't be.
John Briggs
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