Ever had a Protestant friend hit you with, “Why do Catholics even need priests and a Pope? Aren’t we all priests?” Fr. Richard Simon is here to break it down, with a little history, some Greek and Hebrew, and his signature no-nonsense style.

The Protestant Argument: No Hierarchy Needed?

Tricia from Modesto called in, arguing that 1 Peter 2:9 and Exodus 19:6 prove that all Christians are priests. If that’s the case, she wondered, why does the Catholic Church insist on having a structured hierarchy with priests, bishops, and the Pope?

Fr. Simon’s Mic Drop Moment

Father wasted no time pointing out that “priest” actually translates two different words in Greek and Hebrew:

-One means “sacrificer” (someone who offers sacrifice).

-The other means “elder” (which later became our English word “priest”).

 

So, yes: we’re all called to offer spiritual sacrifices in our daily lives (especially in the Eucharist). But when it comes to governing and teaching the Church? That’s the job of the elders, a.k.a. priests and bishops.

Church Hierarchy: Not a 4th-Century Invention

Tricia might’ve thought the idea of a structured Church was a later addition, but Fr. Simon pulled out the receipts :

–Ignatius of Antioch (107 AD) and Hippolytus (3rd century) were already talking about bishops, priests, and deacons.

-In other words: The early Church was structured from the start.

 

What Happens Without Leadership?

To prove his point, Fr. Simon took us back to Exodus and the golden calf disaster. When Moses was gone, the Israelites went wild: because without leadership, things fall apart. The same goes for the Church. Hierarchy is here to keep us on track.

The Bible-Thumper Showdown

Fr. Simon also shared a hilarious (and slightly intense) story about debating some hardcore Bible-believers. His argument? Without the Catholic Church preserving Scripture for centuries, Protestants wouldn’t even have a Bible to quote!

We Need Structure!

If we ditched priests, bishops, and the Pope, we’d be lost in a sea of opinions, with no clear authority on faith and morals. So, next time someone asks, “Why do we need priests?” just tell them:

Because Jesus set it up that way.

Because history backs it up.

Because without leadership, we’d be making golden calves left and right.

And if they still don’t get it? Maybe have them call into Father Simon Says.

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