Men become priests today as always -- by the sacrament of holy orders -- the laying on of the bishop's hands and prayer. Through this sacrament, Christ changes the man interiorly, giving him the powers of the priesthood. There are different orders or degrees in the priesthood: a deacon, a priest, and a bishop. Some men choose to remain a "permanent" deacon. If this is the case, they are able to be married. Priests and bishops are not married, although there are some priests who are ministers from another faith tradition who join the Catholic Church and want to serve as a priest. If you have any questions or interested in the priesthood, please call the Church Office.