Mandatum Episcopali Consecrationis II
Mandate set forth this date September 19 in the year of the Lord 2021
Abp. Brian K. Putzier (Th.D, DD) – Patriarch
This mandate is an extension of the previous mandate Mandatum Episcopali Consecrationis
This leads to the ‘accepted’ formula: [Use of the form and function of Holy Chrism]
The form [word] of the ancient mass and Novus Ordo have changed slightly, that not withstanding both follow the basics listed herein.
This holds true for the ordination of a priest or the consecration of a bishop. (the process for a priest in the form [word] and Chrism on the hands).
Then he dips the thumb of his right hand in the holy chrism and anoints the head of the Bishop-elect kneeling before him, making first the sign of the cross on the crown, then anointing the rest of the crown, saying in the meanwhile;
“May thy head be anointed and consecrated by heavenly benediction in the pontifical order.”
“May this, O Lord, flow abundantly upon his head, may this run down upon his cheeks, may this extend unto the extremities of his whole body, so that inwardly he may be filled with the power of Thy spirit, and outwardly may be clothed with that same spirit. May constant faith, pure love, sincere piety abound in him. May his feet by Thy gift be beautiful for announcing the glad tidings of peace, for announcing the glad tidings of Thy good things. Grant to him, O Lord, the ministry of reconciliation in word and in deed, in the power of signs and of wonders. Let his speech and his preaching be not in the persuasive words of human wisdom, but in the showing of the spirit and of power. Give to him, O Lord, the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, so that he may make use of, not boast of the power which Thou bestowest unto edification, not unto destruction. Whatsoever he shall bind upon earth, let it be bound likewise in heaven, and whatsoever he shall loose upon earth, let it likewise be loosed in heaven. Whose sins he shall retain, let them be retained, and do Thou remit the sins of whomsoever he shall remit. Let him who shall curse him, himself be accursed, and let him who shall bless him be filled with blessings. Let him be the faithful and prudent servant whom Thou dost set, O Lord, over Thy household, so that he may give them food in due season, and prove himself a perfect man. May he be untiring in his solicitude, fervent in spirit. May he detest pride, and cherish humility and truth, and never desert it, overcome either by flattery or by fear. Let him not put light for darkness, nor darkness for light: let him not call evil good, nor good evil. May he be a debtor to the wise and to the foolish, so that he may gather fruit from the progress of all. Grant to him, O Lord, an Episcopal chair for ruling Thy Church and the people committed to him. Be his authority, be his power, be his strength. Multiply upon him Thy + blessing and Thy grace, so that Thy gift he may be fitted for always obtaining Thy mercy, and by Thy grace may be faithful.”
Note the word CONSECRATED. This is an ABSOLUTE. Whereas the laying on of hands was not, which was described as form only (the words), not the act (matter) which is the laying on of hands.
And finally;
Pope Pius XII, Sacramentum Ordinis, Nov. 30, 1947: “But regarding the matter and form in the conferring of every order, by Our same supreme apostolic authority We decree and establish the following: …in the Episcopal ordination or consecration… the form consists of the words of the ‘Preface,’ of which the following are essential and so required for validity:
-- “Complete in Thy priest the fullness of Thy ministry, and adorned in the raiment of all glory, sanctify him with the dew of heavenly anointing.”
Note the word SANCTIFY.
Taken in context the anointing with OIL and the “command” to use ONLY the word prescribed sanctify and consecrate.
Taken in context, this implies that the laying on of hands was never more than a ‘human acknowledgment’, one of love and compassion and acceptance of the individual the ritual was performed on. No sanctification, power or authority was given by the laying on of hands.
This is supported by another historical fact. Early Christians were of the Jewish Community. The Jews practiced laying on of hands long before Christianity. It is well documented that the Jewish laying on of hands was symbolic, and carried no power or authority, it was recognition only. This may be why the laying on of hands was sporadic in biblical text. The spirit came unbidden many times in both the Old and New Testaments. No human intervention was required.
Nonetheless this does pose another dichotomy. If we follow this to a logical conclusion, large numbers of priests and bishops for many hundreds of years, in most of the Apostolic Denominations, are ILLICIT.
*** Many were never sanctified and consecrated with oil. ***
So if we state the ‘matter’ is more important than the ‘form’ (which is in conflict with all of the previous ‘mandates’ and rubrics, not using oil for consecration could be assumed invalid just as much as not laying on of hands.
Therefore detractors must be informed that if ordination and consecration does not require ‘oil’, then neither does it require the laying on of hands. Consecration by oil dates back to the line of Melchizedek.
This is fully supported by the writings of Tertullian.
Supporting statements and biblical texts indicate the laying on of hands was used sporadically and hence not required. Apostolic Tradition claims that the spirit can only come by the laying on of hands, yet text shows otherwise.
Other supporting information from the Roman Church:
Sanders states:
Holy Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balsam, an aromatic resin. This oil is linked with the sanctification of individuals. In the Old Testament times, the priest, prophets and kings of the Jewish people were anointed. This oil is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy orders, since they impart an indelible sacramental character. The blessing of the Holy Chrism is different from that of the other oils: Here the bishop breathes over the vessel of chrism, a gesture which indicates both the Holy Spirit coming down to consecrate this oil, and the life-giving, sanctifying nature of the character of the sacraments for which it is used. (Recall how our Lord "breathed" on the apostles on the night of Easter, saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (Jn 20:22).)
Sacred Chrism is critical in the sacrament of holy orders. In the ordination rite of a priest, the bishop anoints with chrism the palms of each new priest. In the ordination rite of a bishop, the consecrating bishop anoints the head of the new bishop.
Note: Our Lord did NOT lay on hands.
According to Catholic Bishop Olmsted:
The ancient rite of the laying on of hands, whose roots reach far back into the Old Testament, was chosen by Jesus to be the way He takes possession of a priest’s entire life. By the laying on of hands, Jesus says in a symbolic but very real way, “You belong to me;” “Under my hands, you are protected from the evil one.” “Look, I have carved you in the palm of my hand.” “Remain in me as I remain in you.” “Place your hands in mine.”
With the Sacred Chrism, their hands will be anointed as ours have been, as a sign of the Holy Spirit who confers the sacred power to sanctify, to shepherd, and to teach.
Note: The words symbolic and the words confer and sanctify. No more is required to understand the implications.
We hold great respect for all Christian organizations worldwide. We find no fault with the canons, mandates, rubrics serving the form and matter of their operation and theology. With all due respect, the reciprocal must also manifest itself.
Abp. Brian K. Putzier (Th.D, DD)
Patriarch:
United Episcopal Catholic Communion
Anglican Apostolic Church (Ordinate)
St. Genevieve Apostolic Church
St. Charles Borromeo Seminary
