Bishops in the Catholic Church

Ordained ministers of the Catholic Church

The examples and perspective in this section are skewed towards a single field (i.e. the Latin part of the Catholic Church) and do not represent a full view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. (August 2022)

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One form for the coat of arms of a Latin Catholic bishop Latin Church Catholic bishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller wearing the pontifical vestments and carrying a crosier

Part of a series on the
Hierarchy of the
Catholic Church

Saint Peter

Ecclesiastical titles (order of precedence)

* Pope
* Pope emeritus
* Cardinal
* Cardinal Vicar
* Crown
* Prince
* Protector
* Moderator of the curia
* Chaplain of His Holiness
* Papal legate
* Papal majordomo
* Apostolic nuncio
* Apostolic delegate
* Apostolic Syndic
* Apostolic visitor
* Vicar apostolic
* Apostolic exarch
* Apostolic prefect
* Assistant to the papal throne
* Eparch
* Metropolitan
* Patriarch
* Catholicos
* Bishop
* Archbishop
* Bishop emeritus
* Diocesan bishop
* Major archbishop
* Primate
* Suffragan bishop
* Titular bishop
* Coadjutor bishop
* Auxiliary bishop
* Prelate
* Provost
* Pontiff
* Territorial prelate
* Territorial abbot

Liturgical titles

* Acolyte
* Consecrator
* Lector
* Subdeacon

Administrative and pastoral titles

* Auditor
* Brother
* Chancellor
* Chaplain
* Military chaplain
* Military ordinary
* Coarb
* Confessor
* Consultor
* Curate
* Deacon
* Archdeacon
* Defender of the bond
* Definitor
* Devil's advocate
* Diocesan administrator
* Ecclesiastical judge
* Exorcist
* Laity
* Lay abbot
* Abthain
* Commendatory
* Lay cardinal
* Minister
* Major orders
* Minor orders
* Missionary
* Monsignor
* Officialis
* Ostiarius
* Pastor
* Assistant pastor
* Palatinus
* Personal prelate
* Preacher
* Prefect
* Presbyter
* Elder
* Priest
* Principal
* Protonotary apostolic
* Reverend
* Saint
* Servant of God
* Blessed
* Venerable
* Seminarian
* Vicar
* Judicial vicar
* Vicar general
* Vicar forane
* Sub-dean

Consecrated and professed titles

* Abbess
* Abbot
* Consecrated virgin
* Corrector
* Custos
* Friar
* Dean
* Grand master
* Hermit
* Master of novices
* Monk
* Novice
* Nun
* Postulant
* Prior
* Provincial superior
* Rector
* Religious
* Superior general

Additional titles

* Almoner
* Altar server
* Archimandrite
* Archpriest
* Archdeacon
* Canon
* Captain General of the Church
* Chorbishop
* Coarb
* Commissary Apostolic
* Conclavist
* Custos
* Datarius
* Gonfalonier of the Church
* Honorary prelate
* Minor canon
* Notarius
* Ostiarius
* Peritus
* Postulator
* Prebendary
* Precentor
* Prince-bishop
* Prince-abbot
* Prince-primate
* Prince-provost
* Promotor Fidei
* Protopriest
* Protodeacon
* Protosyncellus
* Regionarius
* Sacristan
* Sidewalk counselor
* Usher

Associations and organization titles

* Third orders
* Oblates
* Confraternities
* Pious Unions
* Grand master
* Knights Hospitaller
* Order of the Holy Sepulchre
* Teutonic Knights
* Inquisitor
* Grand Inquisitor
* Preceptor

* Catholic Church portal

* v
* t
* e

An Eastern Catholic bishop of the Syro-Malabar Church holding the Mar Thoma Cross which symbolizes the heritage and identity of the Syrian Church of Saint Thomas Christians of India Johann Otto von Gemmingen, Prince-Bishop of Augsburg in Bavaria, 1591–1598, carrying a crosier and wearing a mitre and pluviale

In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders and is responsible for teaching doctrine,[1] governing Catholics in his jurisdiction,[2] sanctifying the world[3] and representing the church.[4][5] Catholics trace the origins of the office of bishop to the apostles, who it is believed were endowed with a special charism and office by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.[6] Catholics believe this special charism and office has been transmitted through an unbroken succession of bishops by the laying on of hands in the sacrament of holy orders.[7]

Diocesan bishops—known as eparchial bishops in the Eastern Catholic Churches—are assigned to govern local regions within the Catholic Church known as dioceses in the Latin Church and eparchies in the Eastern Churches. Bishops are collectively known as the College of Bishops and can hold such additional titles as archbishop, cardinal, patriarch, or pope. As of 2020, there were approximately 5,600 living bishops total in the Latin and Eastern churches of the Catholic Church.[8]

Bishops are always men.[9] In addition, canon 180 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches requires that a candidate for the Eastern episcopacy should (canon 378 § 1 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law states almost the same requirements):

1. demonstrate solid faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls and prudence;
2. enjoy a good reputation;
3. not be bound by a matrimonial bond;
4. be at least thirty-five years old;
5. ordained a presbyter for at least five years;
6. possess a doctorate or licentiate in some sacred science or at least be an expert in it.

## Diocesan or eparchial bishops

[edit]

See also: Ordinary (Catholic Church) and Diocesan bishop

The traditional role of a bishop is to act as head of a diocese or eparchy. Dioceses vary considerably in geographical size and population. A wide variety of dioceses around the Mediterranean Sea which received the Christian faith early are rather compact in size, while those in areas more recently evangelized, as in some parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, South America and the Far East, tend to be much larger and more populous. Within his own diocese a Latin Church bishop may use pontifical vestments and regalia, but may not do so in another diocese without, at least, the presumed consent of the appropriate ordinary.[10]

### Appointment

[edit]

This section is an excerpt from Appointment of Catholic bishops.[edit]

Part of a series on the
Canon law of the Catholic Church

Ius vigens (current law)

* 1983 Code of Canon Law
* Omnium in mentem
* Magnum principium
* Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches
* Ad tuendam fidem
* Ex corde Ecclesiae
* Indulgentiarum Doctrina
* Praedicate evangelium
* Veritatis gaudium
* Custom
* Matrimonial nullity trial reforms of Pope Francis
* Documents of the Second Vatican Council
* Christus Dominus
* Lumen gentium
* Optatam totius
* Orientalium ecclesiarum
* Presbyterorum ordinis
* Sacrosanctum concilium
* Precepts of the Church

Legal history

Jus antiquum (c. 33–1140)

* Ancient Church Orders
* Didache
* The Apostolic Constitutions
* Canons of the Apostles
* Collections of ancient canons
* Collectiones canonum Dionysianae
* Collectio canonum quadripartita
* Collectio canonum Quesnelliana
* Collectio canonum Wigorniensis
* Gelasian Decree
* Symmachian forgeries
* Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals
* Donation of Constantine
* Gregorian Reform
* Lay investiture controversy
* Dictatus papae
* Libertas ecclesiae
* Plenitudo potestatis

Jus novum (c. 1140–1563)

* Corpus Juris Canonici
* Decretum Gratiani
* Decretist
* Canon Episcopi
* Margaritae
* Jus commune
* Decretals of Gregory IX
* Decretalist
* Regulæ Juris
* Extravagantes
* Liber Septimus

Jus novissimum (c. 1563–1918)

* Council of Trent
* Benedictus Deus
* Tametsi
* Apostolicae Sedis moderationi

Jus codicis (1918-present)

* 1917 Code of Canon Law
* Ecclesiae Sanctae
* 1983 Code of Canon Law

Other

* Contractum trinius
* Papal judge-delegate
* Right of option

Eastern law

* Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches
* Eastern Canonical Reforms of Pius XII
* Nomocanon
* Eparchy
* Exarchate
* Ordinariate for Eastern Catholic faithful
* Protosyncellus

Liturgical law

Latin Church

* General Roman Calendar
* Ranking of liturgical days in the Roman Rite
* General Instruction of the Roman Missal
* Code of Rubrics
* Sacrosanctum Concilium
* Mysterii Paschalis
* Musicam sacram
* Scripturarum thesaurus
* Liturgiam authenticam
* Quattuor abhinc annos
* Ecclesia Dei
* Summorum Pontificum
* Magnum principium
* Traditionis custodes
* Red Mass
* Holy day of obligation

Sacramental law

* Communicatio in sacris
* Ex opere operato
* Omnium in mentem
* Validity and liceity

Sacraments

* Holy Orders
* Impediment (Catholic canon law)
* Abstemius
* Defect of birth
* Obligation of celibacy
* Nullity of Sacred Ordination
* Apostolicae curae
* Dimissorial letters
* Episcopal consecrators
* Approbation (Catholic canon law)
* Confession
* Penitential canons
* Paenitentiale Theodori
* Seal of the Confessional
* Internal and external forum
* Note on the importance of the internal forum and the inviolability of the Sacramental Seal
* Apostolic Penitentiary
* Canon penitentiary
* Complicit absolution
* Sacramentum Poenitentiae
* Eucharist
* Eucharistic discipline
* Canon 915
* Celebret
* Mass stipend

Sacramentals

* Indulgence
* Indulgentiarum doctrina

Sacred places

* Altars
* Major basilica
* Minor basilica
* Oratory (chapel)

Sacred times

* Feast days
* Fast days and abstinence
* Paenitemini
* Holy day of obligation

Matrimonial law

* Canonical form (Latin Church)
* Tametsi
* Ne Temere
* Banns of marriage
* Declaration of Nullity
* Dignitas connubii
* Matrimonial Nullity Trial Reforms of Pope Francis
* Vetitum
* Defender of the Bond
* Impediments to Marriage
* Affinity
* Clandestinity
* Impediment of crime
* Disparity of cult
* Ligamen
* Public propriety
* Matrimonial dispensation
* Ratum sed non consummatum
* Sanatio in radice
* Natural marriage
* Pauline privilege
* Petrine privilege

Supreme authority, particular churches, and canonical structures

Supreme authority of the Church

* Roman Pontiff
* Papal conclave
* College of Bishops

Supra-diocesan/eparchal structures

* College of Cardinals
* Conference of bishops
* Synod of Bishops

Particular churches

* Churches sui juris
* Latin Church
* Eastern Catholic Churches
* Local particular churches
* Appointment of bishops
* Abbacy nullius
* Apostolic vicariate
* Apostolic vicar
* Apostolic administration
* Apostolic administrator
* Diocese/Archdiocese
* Aeque principaliter
* Cathedraticum
* In persona episcopi
* Diocesan Curia
* Moderator of the Curia
* Chancery
* Deanery
* Vicar forane
* Eparchy
* Eparchal curia
* Military ordinariate
* Mission sui juris
* Personal ordinariate
* Anglicanorum Coetibus

Juridic persons

* Parish
* Team of priests in solidum
* Collegiate church
* Parish register
* Lay trusteeism
* Roman Curia
* Dicastery
* Congregation
* Pontifical council
* Personal prelature
* Types of membership of Opus Dei
* Association of the Christian faithful
* Vicar general
* Quinquennial visit ad limina

Jurisprudence

* Canonical coronation
* Canonically crowned images
* Computation of time
* Custom
* Delegata potestas non potest delegari
* Derogation
* Dispensation
* Taxa Innocentiana
* Faculty
* Indult
* Impediment
* Donation
* Interpretation
* Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts
* Jurisdiction
* Peritus
* Obreption & subreption
* Obrogation
* Promulgation
* Resignation of the Roman Pontiff
* Sede vacante
* Simony
* Vacatio legis
* Validity and liceity
* Visitation
* Apostolic visitor

Philosophy, theology, and fundamental theory of Catholic canon law

* Theology
* Ecclesiology
* Treatise on Law
* Determinatio

Temporal goods (property)

* Benefice
* Cathedraticum
* Contract law
* Mass stipend
* Stole fee
* Temporalities

Law of persons

* Person (Catholic canon law)
* Formal act of defection from the Catholic Church
* Canonical age
* Emancipation
* Exemption
* Heresy

Clerics

* Secular clergy
* Regular clergy
* Obligation of celibacy
* Clerics and public office
* Incardination and excardination
* Laicization (dispensation)
* Canonical faculties

Office

* Canonical provision
* Canonical election
* Juridic and physical persons
* Jus patronatus
* Associations of the faithful
* Consecrated life

Canonical documents

* Acta Apostolicae Sedis
* Acta Sanctae Sedis
* Censor librorum
* Imprimatur
* Imprimi potest
* Notary
* Protonotary apostolic
* Apostolic constitution
* Canon
* Concordat
* Decree
* Decretal
* Encyclical
* Motu proprio
* Ordinance
* Papal brief
* Papal bull
* Penitential
* Positive law
* Rescript
* Parish register
* Ecclesiastical Latin

Penal law

* Canon 1324
* Canon 1397 §2
* Censure (Catholic canon law)
* De delictis gravioribus
* Complicit absolution
* Crimen sollicitationis
* Excommunication
* List of excommunicable offences in the Catholic Church
* List of people excommunicated by the Catholic Church
* List of cardinals excommunicated by the Catholic Church
* Interdict
* Laicization (penal)
* Latae sententiae and ferendae sententiae
* Lifetime of prayer and penance
* Canonical admonitions
* Ecclesiastical prison

Procedural law

Pars statica (tribunals & ministers/parties)

* Tribunals
* Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
* Tribunal of the Roman Rota
* Apostolic Penitentiary
* Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
* Ministers of Justice
* Judicial Vicar/Officialis
* Auditor
* Parties
* Defender of the Bond
* Procurator

Pars dynamica (trial procedure)

* Dignitas connubii (matrimonial causes)
* Appeal as from an abuse
* Presumption
* Penal procedure
* Vos estis lux mundi

Canonization

* Congregation for the Causes of Saints
* Maiorem hac dilectionem
* Advocatus Diaboli
* Oblatio vitae
* Positio
* Beatification and canonization process in 1914

Election of the Roman Pontiff

* Current law
* Universi Dominici gregis
* Papal renunciation
* Reforms of Pope Benedict XVI
* Historical
* Cum proxime
* Jus exclusivae
* Papal appointment
* Aeterni Patris Filius
* Romano Pontifici eligendo
* Ingravescentem aetatem
* Ubi periculum
* Quia propter

Legal practice and scholarship

* List of legal abbreviations

Academic degrees

* Licentiate of Canon Law
* Doctor of Canon Law
* Doctor of both laws

Journals and Professional Societies

* Canon Law Society of America
* The Jurist

Faculties of canon law

* Catholic University of America School of Canon Law

Canonists

* Medieval
* Gratian
* Hostiensis
* Jean Lemoine
* Raymond of Penyafort
* Rufinus
* Johannes Teutonicus
* Geoffrey of Trani
* Burchard of Worms
* Brocard
* Modern & Contemporary
* Eugenio Corecco
* John D. Faris
* Pietro Gasparri
* Ladislas Orsy
* Edward N. Peters

Law of consecrated life

* Solemn vow
* Exclaustration
* Manifestation of Conscience
* Canonical erection of a house of religious
* Pontifical right
* Diocesan right
* Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life

Institute of consecrated life

* Religious institute
* Congregation
* Order
* Monasticism
* Canons regular
* Mendicant orders
* Clerics regular
* Secular institute
* Cum Sanctissimus
* Primo Feliciter
* Provida Mater Ecclesia

Society of apostolic life

* Decretum laudis

Catholicism portal

* v
* t
* e

The appointment of bishops in the Catholic Church is a complicated process. Outgoing bishops, neighbouring bishops, the faithful, the apostolic nuncio, various members of the Roman Curia, and the pope all have a role in the selection. The exact process varies based upon a number of factors, including whether the bishop is from the Latin Church or one of the Eastern Catholic Churches, the geographic location of the diocese, what office the candidate is being chosen to fill, and whether the candidate has previously been ordained to the episcopate.

### Resignation at 75

[edit]

Since the Second Vatican Council of 1965 diocesan bishops and their equals "who have become less capable of fulfilling their duties properly because of the increasing burden of age or some other serious reason, are earnestly requested to offer their resignation from office either at their own initiative or upon the invitation of the competent authority." The age of 75 was suggested, and John Paul II had these provisions incorporated in the Latin Church's new 1983 Code of Canon Law.[11]

Article 401.1 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law states that "A diocesan Bishop who has completed his seventy-fifth year of age is requested to offer his resignation from office to the Supreme Pontiff, who, taking all the circumstances into account, will make provision accordingly".[12] On 15 February 2018, Pope Francis established the same rule for non-cardinal bishops serving in the Roman Curia, who had previously lost their positions automatically at 75.[13][14]

### Roles

[edit]

A "diocesan bishop"[15] is entrusted with the care of a local Church (diocese).[16] He is responsible for teaching, governing, and sanctifying the faithful of his diocese, sharing these duties with the priests and deacons who serve under him.[17] The Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy described the diocesan bishop as "the high priest of his flock".[18]

To "teach, sanctify and govern"[19] means that he must (1) oversee preaching of the Gospel and Catholic education in all its forms; (2) oversee and provide for the administration of the sacraments; and (3) legislate, administer and act as judge for canon-law matters within his diocese. He serves as the "chief shepherd" (spiritual leader) of the diocese and has responsibility for the pastoral care of all Catholics living within his ecclesiastical and ritual jurisdiction.[20] He is obliged to celebrate Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation with the intention of praying for those in his care, assign clergy to their posts in various institutions and oversee finances.[21] A bishop is to have a special concern for priests, listening to them, using them as counsellors, ensuring that they are adequately provided for in every way, and defending their rights set forth in the Code of Canon Law.[22] Latin Catholic bishops also must make regular ad limina visits to the Holy See every five years.[23]

Because of their function as teachers of the faith, it is customary in some English-speaking countries to add to the names of bishops the postnominal title of "D.D." (Doctor of Divinity) and to refer to and address them as "Doctor".

Only a bishop has authority to confer the sacrament of holy orders. In the Latin Church the minor orders were abolished after the Second Vatican Council. In Eastern Catholic Churches, a monastic archimandrite may tonsure and institute his subjects to minor orders; however, the tonsure and minor orders are not considered to be part of the sacrament of holy orders.[24]

The sacrament of Confirmation is normally administered by a bishop in the Latin Church, but a bishop may delegate the administration to a priest. In the case of receiving an adult into full communion with the Catholic Church, the presiding priest will administer Confirmation.[25] In the Eastern Catholic Churches, Confirmation (called Chrismation) is normally administered by priests as it is given at the same time as baptism. It is only within the power of the diocesan or eparchial bishop to bless churches and altars, although he may delegate another bishop, or even a priest, to perform the ceremony.[26]

On Holy Thursday, Latin Catholic bishops preside over the Mass of the Chrism. In some cases this celebration takes place on the preceding Wednesday.[27] Although Oil of the Sick for the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is blessed at this Mass, it may also be blessed by any priest in case of necessity. Only a bishop may consecrate Chrism. In the Eastern Catholic Churches chrism is consecrated solely by heads of churches sui juris (patriarchs and metropolitans) and diocesan bishops may not do so.[citation needed]

Only a bishop or other ordinary may grant nihil obstats for theological books, certifying that they are free from doctrinal or moral error; this is an expression of the teaching authority and educational responsibility of the bishop.[citation needed]

Prior to the Second Vatican Council, it was also the prerogative of the bishop to consecrate the paten and chalice that would be used during the Mass. One of the changes implemented since the council, is that a simple blessing is now said, and it may be given by any priest.[citation needed]

### Canonical authority

[edit]

In both Western and Eastern Catholic churches, any priest can celebrate the Mass or Divine Liturgy. In order to offer Mass or Divine Liturgy publicly, however, a priest is required to have permission from the local Ordinary—authority for this permission may be given to pastors of parishes for a limited period, but for long-term permission recourse to the diocesan bishop is usually required. A celebret may be issued to travelling priests so that they can demonstrate to pastors and bishops outside of their own diocese that they are in good standing. However, even if a priest does not possess such a document, he may celebrate the sacraments if the local bishop or pastor judges that the visiting priest is a person of good character.[28]

In the East an antimension signed by the bishop is kept on the altar partly as a reminder of whose altar it is and under whose omophorion the priest at a local parish is serving.[citation needed]

For priests to validly celebrate the sacrament of Penance they must have faculties (permission and authority) from the local bishop;[29] however, when the penitent is in danger of death, a priest has both the right and obligation to hear the confession no matter where he may be.[30]

To preside at matrimony ceremonies, Latin Church priests and deacons must have appropriate jurisdiction or delegation from a competent authority. In the Latin branch of the Catholic Church, the teaching is that it is the couple themselves who administer the graces of the sacrament; thus, although it is normally an ordained person who officiates at a marriage ceremony, a bishop may delegate a lay person to be present for the exchange of vows; this would be done only in extreme cases such as in mission territories. In the Eastern tradition, the clergy not only witness the exchange of vows but must impart a blessing for a valid marriage to have taken place.[31]

Unless a particular bishop has forbidden it, any bishop may preach throughout the Catholic Church[32] and any priest or deacon may also preach anywhere (presuming the permission of local pastor) unless his faculty to preach has been restricted or removed.[33]

The cathedral of a diocese contains a special chair, called a cathedra, sometimes referred to as a throne, set aside in the sanctuary for the exclusive use of its Ordinary; it symbolizes his spiritual and ecclesiastical authority.[citation needed]

## Additional titles, status and roles

[edit]

Main article: Catholic Church hierarchy

Bishops may fill additional roles in the Catholic Church, including the following:

### Bishop-elect

[edit]

A priest who has been appointed as bishop or a diocesan bishop appointed as archbishop, but before assuming office or installation.[citation needed]

### Titular bishop

[edit]

A titular bishop (or titular archbishop) is a bishop who is not bishop of a diocese; unless (since 1970) he is coadjutor or emeritus, he is assigned to a titular see, which is usually the name of a city or area that used to be the seat of a diocese, but whose episcopal see (diocese) is no longer functioning as such. Titular bishops often serve as auxiliary bishops, as officials in the Roman Curia, in the Patriarchal Curias of Eastern Churches, as papal diplomatic envoys (notably apostolic nuncios or apostolic delegates), or head certain missionary pre-diocesan jurisdictions (notably as apostolic vicar, which as of 2019 no longer gets a titular see). Since 1970, a coadjutor bishop (or archbishop) uses the title of the see he is assigned to, and a bishop (or archbishop) emeritus uses the title of his last residential see.[citation needed]

### Suffragan bishop

[edit]

A suffragan bishop leads a diocese within an ecclesiastical province other than the principal diocese, the metropolitan archdiocese.[34]

### Auxiliary bishop

[edit]

An auxiliary bishop is a full-time assistant to a diocesan bishop or archbishop. Auxiliaries are titular bishops without the right of succession, who assist the diocesan bishop or archbishop in a variety of ways and are usually appointed as vicars general or episcopal vicars of the diocese in which they serve.[35]

### Coadjutor bishop

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A coadjutor bishop is a bishop who is given almost equal authority to that of the diocesan bishop or archbishop; he has special faculties and the right to succeed the incumbent diocesan bishop or archbishop.[36] The appointment of coadjutors is seen as a means of providing for continuity of church leadership. Until recent times, there was the possibility of a coadjutor bishop not having the right of succession.

### Bishop-prelate

[edit]

A bishop who holds an office that does not require episcopal ordination, notably either the Prelate of a personal prelature[37] or a territorial prelature.[38]

### Emeritus bishop

[edit]

When a diocesan bishop, archbishop, or auxiliary bishop retires, he is given the honorary title of "emeritus" of the last see he served, i.e., archbishop emeritus, bishop emeritus, or auxiliary bishop emeritus of the see. "Emeritus" is not used for a titular see, but could be used for a bishop who has transferred to a nondiocesan appointment without actually being retired. Examples: Archbishop (or Bishop) Emeritus of Place". Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who was promoted as prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, became Archbishop Emeritus of Manila.[39]

Traditionally, bishops appointed ordinaries or auxiliaries served for life. When the rare resignation occurred, the bishop was assigned a titular see. The status of "emeritus" emerged after the Second Vatican Council when bishops were at first encouraged and then required to submit their resignations at the age of 75. On 31 October 1970, Pope Paul VI decreed that "diocesan bishops or archbishops of the Latin rite who resign are no longer transferred to a titular church, but instead continue to be identified by the name of the see they have resigned."[40][41][42]

### Cardinal

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A cardinal is a bishop or archbishop appointed by the Pope to serve in the College of Cardinals. Members of the college aged under 80 elect a new pope, who is in practice always one of their number, on the death or resignation of the incumbent. Cardinals also serve as papal advisors and hold positions of authority within the structure of the Catholic Church. Under canon law, a man appointed a cardinal must normally be a bishop, or accept consecration of it, but may seek papal permission to decline. Most cardinals are already archbishops of important archdioceses or patriarchates, others already serving as titular bishops in the Roman Curia. Recent popes have appointed a few priests, most of them renowned theologians, to the College of Cardinals, and these have been permitted to decline episcopal consecration. Examples include Karl Becker in 2012 and Ernest Simoni in 2016.[citation needed]

### Archbishop

[edit]

Main article: Archbishop

An archbishop is the head of an archdiocese, or a bishop assigned a titular see which is an archdiocese.[citation needed]

#### Metropolitan archbishop

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A metropolitan is an archbishop with minor jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province; in practice this amounts to presiding at meetings and overseeing dioceses within the province.[43]

In Eastern Catholicism a metropolitan may also be the head of an autocephalous, sui juris, or autonomous church when the number of adherents of that tradition is small. In the Latin Church, metropolitans are always archbishops; in many Eastern churches, the title is "Metropolitan", with some of these churches using "archbishop" as a separate office.[citation needed]

### Pope

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The pope is the Bishop of Rome. The Catholic Church holds that the College of Bishops as a group is the successor of the College of Apostles. The Church also holds that uniquely among the apostles, Saint Peter, the first Bishop of Rome, was granted a role of leadership and authority, giving the pope the right to govern the Church together with the bishops.[44] Hence, the Church holds that the Bishop of Rome, as successor of Peter, possesses the role, uniquely among bishops, of speaking for the whole Church, appointing other bishops, and managing the Church's central administration, the Roman Curia. Papal pronouncements which meet the requirements of the decree on papal infallibility of the First Vatican Council are infallible.

#### Pope emeritus

[edit]

Upon his resignation as pope (Bishop of Rome) on 28 February 2013, Benedict XVI became Supreme Pontiff Emeritus (or, colloquially, Pope Emeritus). The sole holder of the title to date, he held it for nearly a decade, until his death at age 95 in 2022.[45][46]

### Patriarch

[edit]

Further information: Patriarch § Catholic Church

The title of patriarch in the Catholic Church is applied to either the patriarch of an Eastern Church sui iuris or to a minor Latin patriarch. The patriarch of an Eastern Church sui iuris heads an autonomous Church, is elected by the synod of that Church, and exercises authority within his patriarchal territory and on eparchies and parishes outside his territory. A minor Latin patriarch is an honorific title above archbishop given to some Latin dioceses for historical reasons.[citation needed]

### Catholicos

[edit]

Some Eastern Catholic Churches style their heads as catholicoi, a historic title for the head of a Church. The Armenian Catholic Church, the Chaldean Catholic Church, and the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church all style their heads as such.[citation needed]

### Major archbishop

[edit]

Major archbishops are the heads of a major archiepiscopal church. The major archbishops' authority within their respective sui juris churches is equal to that of a patriarch, but they receive fewer ceremonial honors and their election must be confirmed by the Holy See.

### Primate

[edit]

In the Catholic Church, a primate is usually the bishop of the oldest diocese or the capital of a (present or former) nation; the title is one of honor.

### Public office

[edit]

Since the publication of the new Code of Canon Law in 1983 by Pope John Paul II, all members of the Catholic clergy are forbidden to hold public office without the express permission of the Holy See.[47]

## Ordination of bishops

[edit]

Main article: Appointment of Catholic bishops

See also: Consecrator

The appointment of bishops in the Catholic Church is a complicated process that requires the participation of several officials. In the Latin Church, the local synod, the papal nuncio (or apostolic delegate), various dicasteries of the Roman Curia, and the Pope all take a part; since the 1970s it has become common practice for the nuncio to solicit input from clergy and laity within the vacant diocese. In patriarchal and major archiepiscopal Eastern Churches, the permanent synod, the holy synod, and the patriarch or major archbishop also play a role in the selection of bishops.

## Apostolic succession and other churches

[edit]

Main article: Apostolic succession

The Catholic Church has always taught that bishops are descended from a continuous line of bishops since the days of the apostles, which is known as apostolic succession. Since 1896, when Pope Leo XIII issued the bull Apostolicae curae, the Catholic Church has not recognised Anglican orders as valid, because of changes in the ordination rites that took place in the 16th century as well as divergence in the understanding of the theology of episcopacy and Eucharist. However, this view has since been complicated because Old Catholic bishops, whose orders are fully recognised as valid by Rome, have acted as co-consecrators in Anglican episcopal consecrations. According to the church historian Timothy Dufort, by 1969 all Church of England bishops had acquired Old Catholic lines of apostolic succession fully recognised by the Holy See.[48]

The Catholic Church does recognize, as valid but illicit, ordinations done by some independent Catholic groups such as the Old Catholic Church of the Utrecht Union and the Polish National Catholic Church, so long as those receiving the ordination are baptized males and a valid rite of episcopal consecration—expressing the proper functions and sacramental status of a bishop—is used. The Holy See also recognises as valid the ordinations of the Eastern Orthodox, Old Catholic, Oriental Orthodox and Assyrian Nestorian churches. Regarding the Churches of the East, the Second Vatican Council stated:

> To remove, then, all shadow of doubt, this holy Council solemnly declares that the Churches of the East, while remembering the necessary unity of the whole Church, have the power to govern themselves according to the disciplines proper to them, since these are better suited to the character of their faithful, and more for the good of their souls.[49]

## Dress and vestments

[edit]

Main article: Pontifical vestments

### Latin Church

[edit]

Some of the insignia of a bishop's office (clockwise from right): crosier, pectoral cross, and episcopal ring.

The everyday dress of Latin Church bishops may consist of a black (or, in tropical countries, white) cassock with  amaranth trim and purple fascia, along with a pectoral cross and episcopal ring. The 1969 Instruction on the dress of prelates stated that the dress for ordinary use may instead be a simple cassock without coloured trim.[50] Since 1969, a black suit and clerical shirt, already customary in English-speaking countries, has become very common also in countries where previously it was unknown.

A Latin Church bishop's choir dress, which is worn when attending but not celebrating liturgical functions, consists of the purple cassock with amaranth trim, rochet, purple zucchetto, purple biretta with a tuft, and pectoral cross. The cappa magna may be worn, but only within the bishop's own diocese and on especially solemn occasions.[51]

The mitre, zucchetto, and stole are generally worn by bishops when presiding over liturgical functions. For liturgical functions other than the Mass the bishop typically wears the cope. Within his own diocese and when celebrating solemnly elsewhere with the consent of the local ordinary, he also uses the crosier.[52] When celebrating Mass, a bishop, like a priest, wears the chasuble. The Caeremoniale Episcoporum recommends, but does not impose, that in solemn celebrations a bishop should also wear a dalmatic, which can always be white, beneath the chasuble, especially when administering the sacrament of holy orders, blessing an abbot or abbess, and dedicating a church or an altar.[53] The Caeremoniale Episcoporum no longer makes mention of pontifical gloves, pontifical sandals, liturgical stockings (also known as buskins), the maniple, or the accoutrements that it once prescribed for the bishop's horse.

### Eastern Catholic

[edit]

The everyday dress of Eastern Catholic bishops is often the same as their Latin Church counterparts: black clerical suit with pectoral cross or panagia.[citation needed]

#### Byzantine Rite Catholic

[edit]

Traditionally, bishops are monks and so their everyday dress is the monastic habit with a panagia and, depending on rank, also a pectoral cross and a second panagia.

When attending liturgical functions at which he does not celebrate, a bishop may wear a mantya, panagia and an engolpion if he is a patriarch or metropolitan bishop. He will also carry a pastoral staff in the form of a walking stick topped by a pommel. No episcopal ring exists in the Byzantine Rite.

When participating in the Divine Liturgy, a bishop wears the sakkos (Imperial dalmatic), omophorion, epigonation and Byzantine-style mitre which is based on the closed Imperial crown of the late Byzantine Empire and is made in the shape of a bulbous crown, completely enclosed, and the material is of brocade, damask or cloth of gold. It may be embroidered, and richly decorated with jewels, with four icons attached: Christ, the Theotokos, John the Baptist and the Cross. These mitres are usually gold, but other liturgical colours may be used. The mitre is topped by a cross, made out of metal and standing upright. He also carries a crosier of that rite's style. Presiding over other services, he may wear fewer vestments, but also a mantya unless wearing a sticharion.

## See also

[edit]

* Catholic Church hierarchy
* Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States
* List of Catholic apostolic administrations
* List of Catholic apostolic prefectures
* List of Catholic apostolic vicariates
* List of Catholic archdioceses
* List of Catholic dioceses (alphabetical)
* List of Catholic dioceses (structured view)
* List of Catholic military dioceses
* List of Catholic missions sui juris
* List of Eastern Catholic exarchates
* List of the Catholic bishops of the United States
* List of the Catholic dioceses of the United States
* Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Catechism of the Catholic Church – Christ's Faithful – Hierarchy, Laity, Consecrated Life". Vatican.va. 20 February 1946. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
2. ^ "Catechism of the Catholic Church – Christ's Faithful – Hierarchy, Laity, Consecrated Life". Vatican.va. 20 February 1946. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
3. ^ "Catechism of the Catholic Church – Christ's Faithful – Hierarchy, Laity, Consecrated Life". Vatican.va. 20 February 1946. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
4. ^ "Catechism of the Catholic Church – The sacrament of Holy Orders". Vatican.va. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
5. ^ "CCC – PART 1 SECTION 2 CHAPTER 3 ARTICLE 9 PARAGRAPH 3". Vatican.va. 14 December 1975. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
6. ^ "Catechism 1556". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
7. ^ "Catechism 1555–1556". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
8. ^ "Living Bishops". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
9. ^ "APOSTOLIC LETTER ORDINATIO SACERDOTALIS OF JOHN PAUL II TO THE BISHOPS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON RESERVING PRIESTLY ORDINATION TO MEN ALONE". Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
10. ^ "Canon 390". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
11. ^ O'Connell, Gerard (5 November 2014). "Pope Francis revises resignation norms for bishops and cardinals". America, the Jesuit Review.
12. ^ "Code of Canon Law: Diocesan Bishops". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
13. ^ McElwee, Joshua J. (15 February 2018). "Francis allows Vatican bishops to serve past age 75 in new 'motu proprio'". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
14. ^ Pullella, Philip (15 February 2018). "Pope orders retired prelates to live austerely, shun power". Reuters. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
15. ^ "Canons 294-297". 1983 Code of Canon Law. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
16. ^ "Canon 369". 1983 Code of Canon Law. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
17. ^ "Canon 381". 1983 Code of Canon Law. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
18. ^ Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum Concilium, paragraph 41, published on 4 December 1963, accessed on 21 June 2025
19. ^ "Canon 386.1". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
20. ^ "Canon 383.1,2". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
21. ^ "Canons 388.2 and 392.2". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
22. ^ "Canon 384". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
23. ^ "Canon 399.1". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
24. ^ "Catechism 1554". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
25. ^ "Canon 883.2". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
26. ^ "Canon 1207". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
27. ^ Parish of St Jeanne Jugan (Leeds), This Week is Holy Week, published on 12 April 2025, accessed on 21 June 2025
28. ^ "Canon 903". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
29. ^ "Canon 966.1". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
30. ^ "Canons 966.1 & 976". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
31. ^ "Catechism of Catholic Church para 1623". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
32. ^ "Canon 763". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
33. ^ "Canon 764". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
34. ^ "Metropolitan". The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 10\. The Encyclopedia Press. 1911. pp. 244–45. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
35. ^ "Canons 403.1, 406". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
36. ^ "Canon 403.3". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
37. ^ "Canons 294-297". 1983 Code of Canon Law. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
38. ^ "Canons 368, 370". 1983 Code of Canon Law. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
39. ^ "TAGLE Card. Luis Antonio Gokim".
40. ^ Rodimer, Frank J. (22 March 2010). "The Bishop Emeritus: Resigned but still ministering". America. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
41. ^ Congregation for Bishops (2008). Il vescovo emerito (in Italian). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. ISBN 978-8820980474.
42. ^ Confaloneri, Carlo. "Communicazione del titolo dei Vescovi 'officio renuntiantibus'" (PDF). Congregation for the Clergy (in Italian). Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
43. ^ "Canon 435-36". Code of Canon Law. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
44. ^ "Lumen Gentium 18". Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
45. ^ "Vatican reveals Pope Benedict's new title". CNN. 28 February 2013.
46. ^ "Former Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95". BBC. 31 December 2022.
47. ^ "Canon 285.3". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
48. ^ Timothy Dufort, The Tablet, 29 May 1982, pp. 536–538.
49. ^ "Decree on Ecumenism/Unitatis Redintegratio 16". Archived from the original on 6 March 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
50. ^ Instruction on the Dress, Titles and Coats-of-Arms of Cardinals, Bishops and Lesser Prelates, 28 March 1969, 14
51. ^ Caeremoniale Episcoporum, 64
52. ^ Caeremoniale Episcoporum, 59
53. ^ Caeremoniale Episcoporum, 56

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