§ I. On Sanctity of Life

1082. • How great the internal sanctity and exterior edification of Clerics must be needs neither demonstration nor exposition. For the very idea alone of Clericate and Priesthood manifestly argues this. Therefore in very few words we shall declare that Clerics must be pious, holy, and modest, both from the nature of their state, and from Scripture, the Fathers, and Councils.

1° From the nature of the clerical state. Most holy is the ministry of Clerics, since they are always applied proximately or at least remotely to sacred things, to the Sacraments to be conferred on the faithful, to the divine praises solemnly to be paid in the name of the Church, to teaching the Christian people concerning the way of eternal salvation, and also to celebrating the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. For why are Clerics and Priests constituted in the Church? That they may be, according to the testimony of the Gospel, the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Moreover they cannot be such unless they shine before others by an illustrious and excellent sanctity of morals. Not only the sublimity and excellence of the offices to be fulfilled, but also the garments with which the Cleric is clothed, cry out that he must profess sanctity. Hence St. Jerome says:¹ "The garment cries out, the state cries out, the profession cries out sanctity of soul."

2° From Scripture. Thus the Lord said concerning the priests of the old law: They will be holy to their God, and they shall not pollute His name: for they offer the incense of the Lord and the breads of their God, and therefore they will be holy.² Likewise in Isaiah it is said: Be cleansed, you who carry the vessels of the Lord.³ Moreover if so great sanctity of life was required in priests who offered oxen and sheep and other animals to God, what will have to be required in those who sacrifice the divine Lamb Himself? And if so great cleanness was required in those who carried the vessels of the Lord, what purity of soul will have to be required in those who carry the Lord Himself in their hands? Read also St. Paul to Titus, Timothy, etc.

3° From the Fathers. Thus St. Chrysostom:⁴ "The Priest ought to have an immaculate life, so that all may look to him as to some excellent example; for God chose us for this, that we may be as lights and teachers of the rest, and may live on earth as Angels." St. Thomas⁵ teaches that greater sanctity is required in a priest than in a simple Religious, saying: "Through Sacred Order someone is deputed to most worthy ministries, by which Christ Himself is served in the ministry of the Altar; for which greater interior sanctity is required than even the State of Religion requires." And in the Supplement:⁶ "For the suitable execution of Orders, goodness of any sort does not suffice; but excellent goodness is required, so that just as those who receive Order are constituted above the people by the grade of Order, so also they may be superior by merit of sanctity."

4° From Councils. Innumerable things are contained in Canon Law concerning the sanctity of Clerics, which also are confirmed by very many Councils. But let it suffice to report that which the Council of Trent has by solemn Decree:¹ "It altogether becomes Clerics called into the lot of the Lord so to compose their whole life and morals, that in habit, gesture, walk, speech, and all other things they display nothing except what is grave, moderate, and full of religion." - The Plenary Council of Baltimore II² exhibits the practical interpretation of this Decree in these words: "Wherever they have been, whether they travel, or walk through the streets, or mingle in conversations among themselves or with those given to the world, let them show in their walk and gesture, and in countenance itself and voice, the modesty and gravity which befit them. Let them avoid with highest zeal excessive raising of the voice, immoderate laughter, scurrilous jokes, finally whatever is an indication of a soul not well composed. Let them not utter more free, insolent, impious words, even by reporting the sayings of others; let them restrain and coerce, if not otherwise, by mouth and countenance, others uttering them."