Who counts as a cleric under canon law, and who are considered lay faithful?

• A. Clerics include bishops, presbyters (priests), and deacons; lay faithful are the baptized who are not clerics or members of institutes with solemn vows.
• B. Clerics include bishops and lay ministers.
• C. Clerics are all baptized members; lay faithful are those who have not been ordained.
• D. Clerics are only priests; lay faithful are deacons.

Answer: (C)

In canon law, the distinction rests on ordination and consecrated life. Clerics are those who have received Holy Orders, which includes bishops, presbyters (priests), and deacons. Lay faithful, on the other hand, are baptized Catholics who have not received Holy Orders and are not members of institutes of consecrated life with solemn vows. This means the lay faithful are the baptized who are not ordained and not in solemn religious vows, while those who live a consecrated life (even with vows) are not counted among the lay faithful.