esist the
Will of God by endeavoring to turn their children from their true
vocation or to prevent them from following it by placing obstacles in
their way, and, worst of all, to urge them to enter a state of life to
which they have not been divinely called; (3) That in giving their
advice they should be guided only by the future good and happiness of
their children and not by any selfish or worldly motive which may lead
to the loss of souls.

Q. 996. {280} How should Christians look upon the priests of the Church?
A. Christians should look upon the priests of the Church as the
messengers of God and the dispensers of His mysteries.

Q. 997. How do we know that the priests of the Church are the messengers
of God?
A. We know that the priests of the Church are the messengers of God,
because Christ said to His apostles, and through them to their
successors: "As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you"; that is to
say, to preach the true religion, to administer the Sacraments, to offer
Sacrifice, and to do all manner of good for the salvation of souls.

Q. 998. When did the priests of the Church receive this threefold power
to preach, to forgive sins and to consecrate bread and wine?
A. The priests of the Church received this three-fold power to preach,
to forgive sins and to consecrate bread and wine, when Christ said to
them, through the apostles: "Go teach all nations"; "Whose sins you
shall forgive they are forgiven," and "Do this for a commemoration of
Me."

Q. 999. Why should we show great respect to the priests and bishops of
the Church?
A. We should show great respect to the priests and bishops of the
Church: (1) Because they are the representatives of Christ upon earth,
and (2) Because they administer the Sacraments without which we cannot
be saved. Therefore, we should be most careful in what we do, say or
think concerning God's ministers. To show our respect in proportion to
their dignity, we address the priest as Reverend, the bishop as Right
Reverend, the archbishop as Most Reverend, and the Pope as Holy Father.

Q. 1000. Should we do more than merely respect the ministers of God?
A. We should do more than merely respect the ministers of God. We should
earnestly and frequently pray for them, that they may be enabled to
perform the difficult and important duties of their holy state in a
manner pleasing to God.

Q. 1001. {281} Who can confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders?
A. Bishops can confer the Sacrame