Question
Question
My friend and I were wondering what things, items or people get "consecrated" any more. Recently we heard that bishops are not consecrated, but ordained.
--Questioning in Cuba
Answer
Answer
Canon law reserves the term "consecration" for two sacramentals: the consecration of the sacred chrism and the rite of consecration to a life of virginity. Anachronistically, it is also used at times for the ordination of a bishop. As you mention, in the Rite of Ordination of a Bishop, a bishop is "ordained." Before the revised rites, he was "consecrated."
Before 1977, church buildings were consecrated. With the new ritual, they are now "dedicated."