Answer:
BOLD ANSWER
The Catholic Church believed that priests and theologians were closer to God than anyone else.
EXPLANATION
The Catholic Church has a long history of emphasizing the importance of the priesthood and the role of priests in mediating between God and humanity. According to Catholic teaching, priests are ordained by God through the sacrament of Holy Orders to serve as mediators between God and the faithful. This mediation is based on the belief that priests have a special relationship with God, one that is closer and more intimate than the relationship that ordinary believers have.
This belief in the special relationship between priests and God is rooted in the New Testament, where Jesus says to his disciples, "You are my friends" (John 15:13). This phrase is often interpreted as indicating that priests are chosen by God to be his friends and to serve as intermediaries between God and humanity.
In addition to this biblical foundation, the Catholic Church has also developed a theology of the priesthood that emphasizes the importance of the priest's role in offering sacrifices and intercession on behalf of the faithful. According to this theology, the priest's role is to offer sacrifices to God and to intercede on behalf of the faithful, thereby bringing the faithful closer to God.
This belief in the special relationship between priests and God has been reinforced by the Catholic Church's teachings on the priesthood throughout history. For example, the Council of Trent, a major council of the Catholic Church that took place in the 16th century, emphasized the importance of the priesthood and the role of priests in mediating between God and humanity. Similarly, the Second Vatican Council, which took place in the 20th century, reiterated the importance of the priesthood and the role of priests in the modern world.
Step-by-step explanation: