The LDS and Catholic churches may appear at opposite ends of the Christian spectrum to casual observers, but a Catholic priest says his extensive study of the priesthood in the two churches reveals some surprising similarities.
Addressing the subject of "A priest forever according to the Order of Melchizedek" at last month's Sunstone Symposium, Father Jordan Lenaghan said he hopes this comparison will help members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Catholics better appreciate and understand each other, as well as themselves. He believes his study breaks new ground because he could find no other study that makes such a comparison.
"There is nothing that seeks to compare priesthood," he said.
Some of the priesthood similarities, according to Father Lenaghan are:
The priesthood in both churches is to teach, govern and sanctify members.
Both churches claim to trace their priesthood authority back to Jesus Christ's earthly ministry.
The two churches claim use of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Female priesthood holders do not exist in either church and both seem to accept that as an unchangeable doctrine.
Both churches agree God calls men to the priesthood.
Each church confers the priesthood by the laying on of hands.
There are some differences however. They include:
The LDS Church also has the Aaronic or lesser priesthood. Catholics believe Christ's sacrifice replaced the need for that priesthood.
For Catholics, a priest is a mediator between God and man. Christ is the only true high priest and men basically lend their hands and throat to God to participate in the priesthood. The LDS Church teaches that priesthood holders share in God's power.
Catholics have three graduations in the priesthood — deacon, priest, bishop. For the LDS Church, there are five — deacon, teacher, priest, elder and high priest.
Father Lenaghan is just finishing an assignment as associate pastor in Columbus, Ohio. He is being transferred to St. Petersburg, Russia on a new assignment. He said he dated an LDS girl in his youth and was intrigued when she said her father was a high priest. That's when he began his study.
He said his schedule included some free time between assignments that allowed him to make the Sunstone presentation.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com