Question 36 — The Qualities of Those Receiving Holy Orders

We must next consider the qualities required of those who receive the sacrament of holy orders.

Under this head there are five points of inquiry:

(1) Whether goodness of life is required of those who receive this sacrament?

• (2) Whether the knowledge of the whole of Sacred Scripture is required?
• (3) Whether the degree of holy orders is obtained by mere merit of life?
• (4) Whether he who raises the unworthy to holy orders sins?
• (5) Whether one who is in sin can, without committing a sin, exercise the holy orders he has received?