Who is the ordinary minister of Confirmation, and under what conditions may a priest confer it?

• A. A priest always; bishop only if present
• B. The bishop; a priest may confer with faculties
• C. A deacon
• D. A lay catechist

Answer: (B)

The key point is that Confirmation is ordinarily celebrated by the bishop, who holds the ordinary authority for this sacrament and guarantees its unity within the diocese. However, the Church allows a priest to confer Confirmation if he has the proper faculties granted by the bishop (or by the competent authority). In practice, bishops commonly delegate this power to priests for their dioceses or for specific circumstances, so a priest can validly confirm when such faculties are in place. Without those faculties, a priest cannot confer the sacrament. Deacons and lay catechists do not have the authority to confer Confirmation, which is why they are not suitable ministers here.