Q. 1. When reading the New Testament of the Holy Bible, I find numerous references to elders. [Rom. 9:12; 1 Tim. 5:1, 5:5, 5:17; Acts 14:23, 15:23; Tit. 1:5; Heb. 11:2] Why is it that the Catholic Church no longer has elders?

A. 1. The word "priest" is synonym to "elder." The English word "priest" originates from the Greek word "presbyter," which means "elder." The word "priest" had its beginning in the early Church to designate those who were consecrated ministers and who had been appointed by the Apostles or their successors over Catholic communities. Their ministry was more or less the same as is exercised today by either the bishops or the priests.