• 

• 2 So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, 'It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
  
  3 Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task,
  
  4 whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word'."
  (NABRE Acts 6: 2-4)

• "SINCE THE BEGINNING, THE ORDAINED MINISTRY HAS BEEN CONFERRED AND EXERCISED IN THREE DEGREES: THAT OF BISHOPS, THAT OF PRESBYTERS, AND THAT OF DEACONS. THE MINISTRIES CONFERRED BY ORDINATION ARE IRREPLACEABLE FOR THE ORGANIC STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH: WITHOUT THE BISHOP, PRESBYTERS, AND DEACONS, ONE CANNOT SPEAK OF THE CHURCH (CF. ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, 'AD TRALL.' 3,1)."
  (Catechism of the Catholic Church ¶ 1593)