PROTESTANT VIEW
Christ is the one Mediator between God and man and our salvation is accomplished only through His death and resurrection.
“For there is one God: and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 2:5 (DRB).
CATHOLIC VIEW
Catholicism accepts Christ’s sole mediatorship between God and Man, but it argues that this does not exclude secondary mediatorships that are subordinated to Christ. On this basis, the saints (including Mary) can act as mediators.
“And another angel came and stood before the altar, having a golden censer: and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints, upon the golden altar which is before the throne of God. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel.”
Revelation 8:3-4 (DRB).
Mediatorship can also take the form of that exercised by the priesthood. For example, a validly ordained Priest can celebrate the Mass, which, as a Sacrament acts as a vehicle for the dispensation of Grace.
Like Protestants, Roman Catholics affirm the doctrine of the Priesthood of all Believers, on the basis of 1 Peter 2:9:
“But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2:9 (DRB).
However, the Catholic view is that there also exists a special or “ministerial” priesthood, which has its roots in the Biblical priesthood outlined in the Old Testament. Thus ordained priests are able to offer sacrifices to God (especially the Sacrifice of the Mass) and absolve people of sins (through the Sacrament of Reconciliation).
“That I should be the minister of Christ Jesus among the Gentiles: sanctifying the gospel of God, that the oblation of the Gentiles may be made acceptable and sanctified in the Holy Ghost.”
Romans 15:16 (DRB).
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