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EPISCOPATE The '' Among bishops, various ranks are distinguished: Pope In Catholic theology, the bishop who is the successor of '' The title of , and, in the traditional Latin abbreviation ''PP'' (sometimes lower-case), is used in his official signature, e.g. "Benedictus PP XVI". The honorary title prefixed to his name is "His Holiness". Patriarchs The head of some autonomous (in or Western particular Church, but this title is no longer in use. The Patriarchs who head autonomous particular Churches are:
These have authority not only over the bishops of their particular Church, including metropolitans, but also directly over all the faithful. Canon 53 , ''1990 Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches'' Eastern-Rite patriarchs are given precedence over all other bishops, with the exceptions laid down by the Pope. Canon 58 , ''Ibid'' The honorary title prefixed to their names is "His Beatitude". There are also additional patriarchs in the Latin Rite Church. They include the , the other patriarchs are the archbishops of the named cities. The title of Patriarch Of The West Indies was in the past granted to some Spanish bishops (not always of the same see), but is long in abeyance. Major Archbishops Other autonomous particular Churches are headed by a Major Archbishop , a less prestigious title. Canon 151 , ''1990 Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches'' Canon 154 , ''Ibid'' With few exceptions, the authority of a major archbishop in his ''sui iuris'' Church is equivalent to that of a patriarch in his Church. Canon 152 , ''Ibid'' At present, there are four Major Archbishops:
Primates The Latin-Rite title of Primate has in some countries been granted to the bishop of a particular (usually Metropolitan) see. It once involved authority over all the other sees in the country or region, but now involves no more than a "prerogative of honor", except in special cases. Canon 438 , ''Code of Canon Law'' Metropolitans A Latin-Rite Metropolitan is the bishop of the principal (the "metropolitan") see of an Ecclesiastical Province composed of several dioceses. They have a limited oversight authority over the Suffragan Diocese s in their province, including ensuring that the faith and ecclesiastical discipline are properly observed, and naming a Diocesan Administrator for a vacant see if the diocesan council of consultors fails to properly elect one. The metropolitan receives a Pallium from the pope as a symbol of his office. Canons 435-437 , ''Ibid'' Eastern-Rite Metropolitans in patriarchal or major archepiscopal churches have a similar level of authority as Latin-Rite metropolitans, subject to the specific laws and customs of their ''sui iuris'' church. Canons 133 - 139 , ''Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches'' Eastern Rite Metropolitans who head a metropolitan ''sui iuris'' church have much greater authority within their church, although it is less than that of a major archbishop or patriarch. Canons 155 - 173 , ''Ibid'' All Metropolitans have the title of Archbishop , and the metropolitan see is referred to as an Archdiocese Or Archeparchy , a title held not only by the 525 metropolitan sees but also by 76 other sees. Other Archbishops The title of "Archbishop" is thus given not only to bishops who head a metropolitan see, but also to those who head an archdiocese that is not a metropolitan see. In addition, it is given to certain other bishops (referred to as "Titular Archbishops" - see "Titular Bishops" below) either by reason of their function (for instance, that of a Papal Nuncio ) or of personal merit (as the bishop of a non-archiepiscopal see may be given the personal title of archbishop). Diocesan Bishops The Bishop of any see, even if he does not also hold a title such as Archbishop, Metropolitan, Major Archbishop, Patriarch or Pope, is the centre of unity for his Diocese or Eparchy , and, as a member of the College of Bishops, shares in responsibility for governance of the whole Church (cf. '' Catechism Of The Catholic Church '', 886). As each local particular Church is an embodiment of the whole Catholic Church, not just an administrative subdivision of something larger, the bishop who is its head is not a delegate of the Pope. Instead, he has of himself primary teaching, governance and sanctifying responsibility for the see for which he has been ordained bishop. Within each diocese, even if the Eucharist is celebrated by another bishop, the necessary communion with the Bishop of the diocese is signified by the mention of his name. In Eastern-Rite eparchies the name of the patriarch, major archbishop or metropolitan is also mentioned, because these also have direct responsibility within all the eparchies of the particular Church in question. For the same reason, every Catholic celebration of the Eucharist has a mention of the Pope by name. Other Bishops A Diocesan Bishop may have Assistant Bishops. The Coadjutor Bishop of a see has the right of succession on the death or resignation of the Diocesan Bishop, and, if the see is an archdiocese, holds the title of Archbishop. Similarly, a retired Diocesan Bishop keeps his connection with the see to which he was appointed, and is known as Bishop (or Archbishop) Emeritus of that see. On the other hand, an Auxiliary Bishop , who may also hold posts such as Vicar General or Episcopal Vicar , is appointed bishop of a Titular See , a see that in the course of history has ceased to exist as an actual jurisdictional unit. The titular sees - which may be metropolitan, archiepiscopal or simply episcopal - assigned to such bishops were once known as sees ''in partibus infidelium'', because situated in areas lost to Christianity as a result of Moslem conquests. But now former sees even in Christian countries are assigned as titular sees. These sees are also assigned to bishops who serve in the Roman Curia , as Papal Nuncio s, or as equivalents of Diocesan Bishops in law (see below), such as Vicars Apostolic and Apostolic Exarchs. The term "Titular Bishop" is frequently used for such bishops, but is, strictly speaking, inaccurate, since they are indeed bishops, even if they do not serve the see to which they are appointed, and are not merely holders of an honorary title of bishop. They are members of the College of Bishops as much as the Diocesan Bishops. In most English-speaking countries, the honorary title prefixed to the name of a bishop is "The Most Reverend". However, in Great Britain and in those countries most strongly influenced by English (not Irish) practice, "The Most Reverend" is reserved for archbishops, and other bishops are called "The Right Reverend". Specifical Uniate Episcopal titles POSITIONS ANALOGOUS TO THAT OF BISHOP Within the Catholic Church the following posts have similarities to that of a bishop, diocesan or auxiliary, but are not necessarily held by a bishop Cardinals Cardinals are appointed by the Pope, generally choosing bishops who head Departments of the Roman Curia or important Episcopal See s, Latin or Eastern, throughout the world. The cardinalate is not an integral part of the theological structure of the Catholic Church, but largely an honorific distinction that has its origins in the 1059 assignation of the right of electing the Pope exclusively to the principal clergy of Rome and the bishops of the seven "suburbicarian" sees. Because of their resulting importance, the term "cardinal" (from Latin "cardo", meaning "hinge") was applied to them. In the twelfth century the practice of appointing ecclesiastics from outside Rome as cardinals began. Each cardinal is still assigned a church in Rome as his "titular church" or is linked with one of the Suburbicarian Diocese s. Of these sees, the Dean Of The College Of Cardinals holds that of Ostia, while keeping his preceding link with one of the other six sees. Traditionally, only six cardinals held the rank of Cardinal Bishop , but when Eastern Rite Patriarch s are made cardinals, they too hold the rank of Cardinal Bishop, without being assigned a suburbicarian see, still less a church in Rome. The other cardinals have the rank either of Cardinal Priest or Cardinal Deacon , the former rank being normally assigned to bishops in charge of dioceses, and the latter to officials of the Curia and to priests raised to the cardinalate. Since a reform by Pope Paul VI a priest who has been nominated a cardinal is required to be ordained a bishop. (In previous centuries there were cases of cardinals who only had Minor Orders .) Very few such priests have asked for and obtained dispensation from this requirement. The proper way to refer to a Cardinal in English, and in other modern languages, is not, as some believe, "(First name) Cardinal (Surname)" - though this is the traditional way for Cardinals to sign, placing, like the Pope, the title immediately after the first name - but simply "Cardinal (First name) (Surname)." The honorific title used for Cardinals is "His Eminence". Equivalents of Diocesan Bishops in law Canon 368 of the ''Code of Canon Law'' lists five Latin-Rite jurisdictional areas that are considered as equivalent to a diocese. These are headed by:
To these may be added:
Of somewhat similar standing is the Diocesan Administrator (formerly called a Vicar Capitular) elected to govern a diocese during a vacancy. Apart from certain limitations of nature and law, he has, on a caretaker basis, the same obligations and powers as a Diocesan Bishop (canons 427-429 of the ''Code of Canon Law''). Occasionally an Apostolic Administrator is appointed by the Holy See to run a vacant diocese, or even a diocese whose bishop is incapacitated or otherwise impeded. Other important titles or functions usually, but not necessarily, held by (arch)bishops include those of Apostolic Delegate , Apostolic Nuncio , Papal Legate , Patriarchal Vicar , Pontifical Delegate . Positions within a diocese at diocesan level The Diocesan Bishop appoints a Vicar General to assist him in the governance of the diocese. Usually, only one vicar general is appointed; particularly large dioceses may have more than one vicar general. (canon 475 of the ''Code of Canon Law'') A Diocesan Bishop can also appoint one or more Episcopal Vicar s for the diocese. They have the same ordinary power as a vicar general, however, it is limited to a specified division of the diocese, to a specific type of activity, to the faithful of a particular rite, or to certain groups of people. (canon 476 of the ''Code of Canon Law'') Vicars General and Episcopal Vicars may be priests or bishops. In the Eastern Catholic Churches, they are called Protosyncelli and Syncelli (canon 191 of the ''Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches''). Diocesan Bishops are required to appoint an '' Officialis '' (also known as the judicial vicar)), to whom is delegated the bishop's ordinary power for issues of canon law and for diocesan tribunals. The ''officialis'' must be a priest, have earned a Doctorate In Canon Law , and must not be the vicar general. (canon 1420 of the ''Code of Canon Law''; canon 191 of the ''Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches'') PRIESTS Priests may perform many functions not directly connected with ordinary pastoral activity, such as study, research, teaching or office work. They may also be rectors of churches or chaplains of communities or special groups. Other titles or functions held by priests include those of Archimandrite, Canon Secular or Regular, Chancellor, Chorbishop, Confessor, Dean of a Cathedral Chapter, Hieromonk, Prebendary, Precentor, etc. Vicars Forane or Deans "The Vicar Forane known also as the Dean or the Archpriest or by some other title, is the priests who is placed in charge of a vicariate forane" (canon 553 of the ''Code of Canon Law''), namely of a group of parishes within a diocese. Unlike a regional Episcopal Vicar, a Vicar Forane acts as a help for the Parish Priests and other priests in the vicariate forane, rather than as an intermediate authority between them and the Diocesan Bishop. Priests directly involved in parish work Parish Priests or Pastors "The Parish Priest Or Pastor is the proper pastor of the parish entrusted to him. He exercises the pastoral care of the community entrusted to him under the authority of the Diocesan Bishop, whose ministry of Christ he is called to share, so that for this community he may carry out the offices of teaching, sanctifying and ruling with the cooperation of other priests or deacons and with the assistance of lay members of the Christian faithful, in accordance with the law" (canon 519 of the ''Code of Canon Law''). For lack of priests, sometimes a parish may be entrusted for a time, short or long, to a priest who is not its Parish Priest or Pastor, or to a deacon or a religious, male or female, or even to a lay person. These do not thereby become the Pastor of the parish. Assistant Priests or Curates "Whenever it is necessary or opportune for the due pastoral care of the parish, one or more Assistant Priests can be joined with the Parish Priest. As cooperators with the Parish Priest and sharers in his concern, they are, by common counsel and effort with the Parish Priest and under his authority, to labour in the pastoral ministry" (canon 545 of the ''Code of Canon Law''). In some English-speaking countries, Assistant Priests are called Curates, Associate Pastors, or Parochial Vicars. Papal awards for clergy (title of Monsignor) A detailed account of the three ranks of membership of the Papal Household (as Protonotary Apostolic, Honorary Prelate or Chaplain of His Holiness) that allow priests to use the title of Monsignor is found in the article Monsignor DEACONS Deacons are ordained ministers of the Church who are co-workers with the bishop alongside presbyters, but are intended to focus on the ministries of direct service and outreach rather than pastoral leadership. They are usually related to a parish, where they have a liturgical function as the ordinary minister of the Gospel and the Prayers of the Faithful, may preach Homilies , and may preside at non-Eucharistic liturgies such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals. They may be seminarians preparing for ordination to the priesthood, " Transitional Deacon s"; or they may be " Permanent Deacon s", not intending to be ordained as priests. To be ordained deacons, the latter must be at least 25 years old, if unmarried; if married, a prospective deacon must be at least 35 years old and have the consent of his wife. RELIGIOUS AND LAITY Some religious superiors are classified as major superiors. They include Superiors General , with various titles, such as Abbot Primate, Abbot General, Prevost General, Abbot Ordinary, Grand Master, Master General, Abbot General, Archabbot, Prior Administrator, Prior General, Father Major, Minister General (to mention only those titles that appear in the first few of the 71 pages of the Annuario Pontificio needed to list just the male religious orders). Other major superiors may be Provincial or regional superiors, often with distinctive titles echoing those of the superiors general. Each community of religious has its own local superior, who is not classified as a major superior. In addition, the chief assistant of a superior has titles such as vicar or sub-prioress. Others still have the rank of counsellor, either at general, provincial, or regional level, with titles that vary according to the tradition of the order. Religious may be professed with perpetual or only temporary vows. An order may also have novices and aspirants, as well as scholastics. The laity also have within the Church a great variety of ranks, titles and functions. These include those of acolyte, altar server, cantor, catechist, choir master or mistress, debtera (Ethiopic rite), extraordinary minister of the Holy Communion, Gentleman of His Holiness, lector, member of a papal order of chivalry (Dame or Knight), sacristan, seminarian (major or minor), usher. REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS For more information consult the following links:
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