The diviner, sometimes compared with the prophet, performs the priestly art of foretelling.
Central to the priestly claims to authority, Wills says, was the importance of the sacraments, especially celebration of the eucharist, which could be performed, the church declared, only by priests.
After Wally's death in 1975, Sid became a key figure in the summer solstice celebrations there from 1976 to 1984, performing an almost priestly role.
Ms. Henkin, the lawyer for Mr. Guzman, said she did not object to Father Mills performing priestly duties so long as he was not left alone with children.
Religious functions include: performing priestly functions, conducting religious worship, and controlling, conducting and maintaining religious organizations that are under the authority of a church or denomination.
"Though he attended the Temple, as any Jewish layman would, he performed no priestly acts there; presided over nothing; did not enter the Holy of Holies; made no animal sacrifice," according to Wills.
He entered the Society of Jesus in 1935, was ordained in 1946 and performed his priestly duties throughout his academic career.
A couple of days later, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit prohibited a group of female activists from performing their own version of the priestly blessing, which they intended as part of a (bloodless) Passover prayer service at the Western Wall.
Actions at home may be far less elaborate than those at temples, more routinized as part of daily household life, and are performed without priestly expertise.
"I have performed as many priestly duties in the restaurant as I have in the church.
