CCC 1584

Since it is ultimately Christ who acts and effects salvation through the ordained minister, the unworthiness of the latter does not prevent Christ from acting.⁷⁶ Cf. Council of Trent DS 1612DS — Denzinger–Schönmetzer (Enchiridion Symbolorum); DS 1154DS — Denzinger–Schönmetzer (Enchiridion Symbolorum). St. Augustine states this forcefully: As for the proud minister, he is to be ranked with the devil. Christ's gift is not thereby profaned: what flows through him keeps its purity, and what passes through him remains dear and reaches the fertile earth.... the spiritual power of the sacrament is indeed comparable to light: those to be enlightened receive it in its purity, and if it should pass through defiled beings, it is not itself defiled.⁷⁷ St. Augustine, In Jo. ev. 5,15: PL 35, 1422PL — Patrologia Latina (Migne).