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.
彼は教会の司祭です。
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.
The everyday counter for people: 一人 (ひとり), 二人 (ふたり), 三人 (さんにん).
More formal than 人 — used for headcounts in reservations, staff lists, and announcements (5名様).
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.