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PORTER

Formerly one of the minor orders, the lowest in rank. Also called "door-keeper," it was a symbolic office that in the early Church had a functional purpose. The order was abolished by Pope Paul VI in 1972, but the office may be conferred as a special ministry, with the permission of the Holy See, if an episcopal conference decides that it would be useful or necessary for their own territory.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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