ABSTRACT
In the official clerical mythology, an ordained priesthood is declared to have been established by Christ (as representative of God), who founded a hierarchy to pass down this divine power in a line of succession. Bishops dispense divine power to priests, and priests, in turn, dispense forgiveness, truth, and divine life to the laity, if the laity submits to the rules laid down by the hierarchy. In this way the entire teaching and sacramental life of the Church is turned into a power tool of the clergy over the people.
