noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Primarily used for Christian clergy, especially in Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant contexts. Can refer to ordained ministers in general.
He is a priest at the church.
After long training, he became a priest.
司祭の説教は心に響いた。
The priest's sermon touched my heart.
He was ordained as a priest last year.
He serves as the priest at that church.
牧師 refers specifically to a Protestant pastor, whereas 司祭 is used more broadly for ordained Christian clergy including Catholic priests.
聖職者 is a general word for any member of the clergy (of any religion), while 司祭 specifically names an ordained Christian priest.
司会 (emcee, moderator) shares the kanji 司 with 司祭 but has nothing to do with religion, referring instead to running an event or meeting.
Compound of 司 (to administer, to preside over) and 祭 (ritual, festival), literally 'one who administers rituals'. The term was adopted for Christian clergy in modern Japanese.