[Wonder Warthog]

"Since we are all perfected by Christs singular sacrifice, since there are no further sacrifices required, and since we may boldly enter directly into the Holy of Holies, confident in the Blood of Christ, there is no need for any other intercessor. What function, then, the hiereus (priest) over the presbyter."

In the Catholic Church, the priest is NOT "an intercessor", he is "Christ's waldo", through whom Christ makes present his ONE sacrifice to the Christians there to receive it. You have to understand the direction of action---it is NOT from the congregation to the priest to Christ, but from Christ to the recipient through the priest.

The RCC has always used the term "priests" as synonymous with "presbyters", as they do "episkopos" with "bishop". Why they don't use "hierus", I can't say.

[roamer_1]

In the Catholic Church, the priest is NOT "an intercessor", he is "Christ's waldo", through whom Christ makes present his ONE sacrifice to the Christians there to receive it. You have to understand the direction of action---it is NOT from the congregation to the priest to Christ, but from Christ to the recipient through the priest.

Thank you for that clarification, but I still find it to be in error. There is no need for a priest whatsoever. A pastor or minister to preside... but that duty is not a 'conduit' in either direction. Access to the High Priest, and the Holy of Holies is direct, and individually available to each and every Christian.