Catholic Church

===Sacraments at the service of communion===
According to the Catechism, there are two sacraments of [[Koinonia|communion]] directed towards the salvation of others: priesthood and marriage.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1534}}</ref> Within the general vocation to be a Christian, these two sacraments "consecrate to specific mission or [[vocation]] among the people of God. Men receive the holy orders to feed the Church by the word and [[Grace (Christianity)|grace]]. Spouses marry so that their love may be fortified to fulfil duties of their state".<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1535}}</ref>

====Holy Orders====
{{Main|Holy orders in the Catholic Church}}
[[File:Priesterweihe in Schwyz 2.jpg|thumb|right|Priests lay their hands on the ordinands during the rite of ordination.]]
The sacrament of Holy Orders consecrates and deputes some Christians to serve the whole body as members of three degrees or orders: episcopate (bishops), presbyterate (priests) and diaconate (deacons).<ref name="cann10081009">{{cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3N.HTM |title=Canon 1008–1009 |website=1983 Code of Canon Law |publisher=Vatican.va |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302172900/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3N.HTM |archive-date=2 March 2016}} (As modified by the 2009 [https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_letters/documents/hf_ben-xvi_apl_20091026_codex-iuris-canonici_en.html motu proprio] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616013341/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_letters/documents/hf_ben-xvi_apl_20091026_codex-iuris-canonici_en.html |date=16 June 2011 }} ''[[Omnium in mentem]]'')</ref><ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1536}}</ref> The church has defined rules on who may be ordained into the [[Clergy#Catholicism|clergy]]. In the Latin Church, the priesthood is generally restricted to celibate men, and the episcopate is always restricted to celibate men.<ref>[http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/WCRB.htm Karl Keating, "What Catholics Really Believe: Setting the Record Straight: Chapter 46: Priestly Celibacy"]. ''ewtn.com''. Retrieved on 27 August 2015.</ref> Men who are already married may be ordained in certain Eastern Catholic churches in most countries,<ref>{{cite news |last=Niebuhr |first=Gustav |title=Bishop's Quiet Action Allows Priest Both Flock And Family |work=The New York Times |date=16 February 1997 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/16/us/bishop-s-quiet-action-allows-priest-both-flock-and-family.html |access-date=4 April 2008}}</ref> and the personal ordinariates and may become deacons even in the Latin Church<ref name="CCL1031">[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3Q.HTM Canon 1031] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221173442/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3Q.HTM |date=21 February 2008 }} Catholic Church Canon Law. Retrieved 9 March 2008.</ref><ref name="CCL1037">[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3R.HTM Canon 1037] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218110036/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3R.HTM |date=18 February 2008 }}, Catholic Church Canon Law. Retrieved 9 March 2008.</ref> (see [[Clerical marriage]]). But after becoming a Catholic priest, a man may not marry (see [[Clerical celibacy]]) unless he is formally laicized.

All clergy, whether deacons, priests or bishops, may preach, teach, baptize, witness marriages and conduct funeral liturgies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions About Deacons |url=http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/diaconate/faqs.cfm |author=Committee on the Diaconate |publisher=United States Conference of Catholic Bishops |access-date=9 March 2008}}</ref> Only bishops and priests can administer the sacraments of the Eucharist, Reconciliation (Penance) and Anointing of the Sick.<ref>[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_P16.HTM Canon 42] Catholic Church Canon Law. Retrieved 9 March 2008.</ref><ref>[https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P1D.HTM Canon 375] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219141242/https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P1D.HTM |date=19 February 2008 }}, Catholic Church Canon Law. Retrieved 9 March 2008.</ref> Only bishops can administer the sacrament of Holy Orders, which [[ordination|ordains]] someone into the clergy.<ref name="OneFaith114">Barry, p. 114.</ref>

====Matrimony====
{{Anchor|Sacrament of marriage}}
{{Main|Marriage in the Catholic Church}}
{{See also|Catholic teachings on sexual morality}}
[[File:Jf9694Wedding San Nicolas Church Tolentine Marriage Pampangafvf 02.JPG|right|thumb|Wedding mass in the [[Philippines]]]]
The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a social and spiritual bond between a man and a woman, ordered towards the good of the spouses and procreation of children; according to Catholic teachings on sexual morality, it is the only appropriate context for sexual activity. A Catholic marriage, or any marriage between baptized individuals of any Christian denomination, is viewed as a sacrament. A sacramental marriage, once consummated, cannot be dissolved except by death.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1601,1614|quote=The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.}}</ref>{{refn|Marriages involving unbaptized individuals are considered valid, but not sacramental. While sacramental marriages are insoluble, non-sacramental marriages may be dissolved under certain situations, such as a desire to marry a Catholic, under [[Pauline privilege|Pauline]] or [[Petrine privilege]].<ref name="Gantley"/><ref name="Doors"/>||group="note"}} The church recognizes certain [[Marriage (Catholic Church)#Conditions for a valid marriage of Catholics|conditions]], such as freedom of consent, as required for any marriage to be valid; In addition, the church sets specific rules and norms, known as [[Marriage (Catholic Church)#Canonical form|canonical form]], that Catholics must follow.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1631}}</ref>

The church does not recognize divorce as ending a valid marriage and allows state-recognized divorce only as a means of protecting the property and well-being of the spouses and any children. However, consideration of particular cases by the competent ecclesiastical tribunal can lead to declaration of the invalidity of a marriage, a declaration usually referred to as an [[annulment (Catholic Church)|annulment]]. Remarriage following a divorce is not permitted unless the prior marriage was declared invalid.<ref>{{Cite CCC|2.1|1629}}</ref>