Francis Patrick Kenrick

This signifies the assembly of presbyters, which name was then applied to bishops. They concurred with the apostle in laying hands on Timothy. It has always been customary for two bishops to concur with the consecrator in the conse- cration of a bishop, unless necessity existed for dispensing with this ceremony. All the priests present at an ordination perform the imposition of hands, although the bishop alone ordains the candidate. " He speaks here not of priests, but of bishops, for the priests did not ordain a bishop." St. Chrysostom.