Editing Priest (section)

{{short description|Person authorized to lead the sacred rituals of a religion}}
{{Other uses|Priest (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect2|Priesthood|Priestess||Priesthood (disambiguation)|and|Priestess (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox occupation
| name               = Priesthood
| synonyms           = 
| pronounce          = 
| image              = Priests rome.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| alt                = 
| caption            = [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|Catholic priests]] in [[Rome, Italy]], 2005
| official_names     = 
| type               = Vocation
| activity_sector    = Religion
| competencies       = 
| formation          = 
| employment_field   = 
| related_occupation = [[Deacon|Diaconate]]
}}
[[File:Vajracharya priest.jpg|thumb|A ''[[vajracharya]]'' (thunderbolt-carrier), a [[Newar Buddhism|Newar Buddhist]] priest]]
[[File:Bronze egyptian priest (6th century B.C.) - Ephesus Museum.JPG|thumb|Bronze statue of an Egyptian priest, 6th c. BCE, [[Ephesus Archaeological Museum]]]]
A '''priest''' is a [[religious leader]] authorized to perform the sacred [[ritual]]s of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more [[deity|deities]]. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities. Their office or position is the "'''priesthood'''", a term which also may apply to such persons collectively. A priest may have the duty to hear confessions periodically, give marriage counseling, provide prenuptial counseling, give spiritual direction, teach [[catechism]], or visit those confined indoors, such as the sick in hospitals and nursing homes.