The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell, has said any attempt to apply the modern understanding of democracy to the church would lead "not just to the disappearance of the priesthood but to a denial of Christ's relation to the church."
Democracy meant that the entire life of the state derives from the people, he said, and such a view, applied to the church, would consign Christ at best to a historical role at the beginnings of the church's history.
Cardinal Ratzinger had said that hierarchy meant sacred origin rather than sacred authority and as such, the ordained hierarchy of bishops and priests "is a sign and instrument of Christ's ever-present living communion with the members of his body at the origin of the church's life".
Dr Connell was speaking at the introduction last night of a video, Cal led To Serve As Priest, which was produced following an initiative by Ms Marion Mulhall of Quantum advertising.
