Catholic priest is not "simply an elder" but is in fact, by the grace of God, an ordained Elder of the Royal Priesthood of Jesus Christ, as "royal priesthood" is synonymous with the Church of Jesus Christ. So to say that the Biblical presbyter is "not a priest" denies him the sacerdotal priesthood which is his by baptism. Why should the elders of a royal priesthood not be royal priests themselves? But just a little bit more so than all the rest of the Christians. Lets discuss all the "service" that the RC priest can do that non-priests can't do. Look at the book of 1Corithians 14 and see some what a proper service should look like. No priests, no liturgical service, no "mass", no sacrifice, no alter. Everyone participating, everyone ministering as moved by the Spirit.