2006-07-08 04:23:39 · 9 answers · asked by Mr. Knowledgeable VI 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Whether you mean Roman Catholic or 'universal' by the term "Catholic" I'm not sure, but the answer is more or less the same regardless. A bishopric is an office in the church for overseeing a geographically defined region of local churches, or a diocese. A bishop holds that office. So, he is sort of like the 'head priest' of all the local congregations in that geographic area, responsible for the care of all the church members. That's the first central role he plays.
Alongside that role, and complementary to it, is the role a Bishop plays in what is called Apostolic Succession. That refers to the fact that each Bishop chosen for a Bishopric must be "consecrated" as such. Consecration is the formal ceremony that makes one a Bishop and the catch is that it must be performed by one or more other Bishops. It cannot be performed by a non-Bishop. This means that if you trace each consecration back in time you ultimately get to the 12 Apostles that Jesus named during his lifetime. Those apostles consecrated the first Bishops. That line of succession from the 12 Apostles up to Bishops living today is called Apostolic Succession and it is the second central role a Bishop plays in the Church.
This role is significant because Jesus stated that by my authority passed down through this process the Bishops shall teach and guide the Church. That is, the Bishops shall speak on Jesus' behalf. This is central to Catholic thought and belief; whether Anglican, Roman or Eastern Orthodox.
2006-07-08 04:51:50 · answer #1 · answered by bruce 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bishops in the Catholic Church are direct successors of the Apostles.
The Pope, the bishop in charge, is the direct successor of the Apostle Simon Peter (the rock upon which Christ built His Church).
A Bishop today leads a large church called a diocese usually centered in a large city. The diocese is broken in smaller churches called parishes, each lead by a priest as pastor.
A Bishop of a very large diocese is called the Archbishop of an archdiocese.
The Pope selects some bishops and calls them cardinals. The cardinals if younger than 70 years of age get to vote for the next Pope.
With love in Christ.
2006-07-08 09:06:48 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in accordance to canon regulation, a clergyman appointed to the vicarate everyday keeps always the right to proceed on in that position (or a minimum of an episcopal vicarate) for the completed period of their time period, ought to they desire. The bishop frequently can not eliminate them. This money owed for why some monks proceed to be contained in the Vicar everyday position even even as the bishop features an auxiliary bishop: the vicar everyday has a criminal top to stay on the interest. one ingredient that a priestly vicar everyday can not carry out are the 'pontifical' applications of an auxiliary bishop - consecrating the oils on the Tuesday of Holy Week, ordaining ministers, and performing because the conventional minister of confirmation. The vicar everyday may be delegated the authorities applications of a diocese, yet no bishop can delegate the sacramental and pastoral position of a bishop to someone who isn't also a bishop. Auxiliary bishops are greatest in providing assistance in those parts, and in helping with the shepherding of the flock of the diocese. and obviously, being the top of a titular bishopric, they're learning the ropes had to sometime oversee a diocese of their personal.
2016-11-30 20:59:48 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he can kill anyone thats at a 45 degree angle to him.
lol. actually, the bishops are kind of the head organizational guy for a specific area, that oversee the activities of all the churches in that area. to become a bishop takes more time and more commitment than a priest.
2006-07-08 04:28:53 · answer #4 · answered by hellion210 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The role of a bishop is to control the media and make sure that the priest under his command are protected for any wrong doing they might've done...
2006-07-08 04:35:22 · answer #5 · answered by EC2talk2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is the direct successor of the apostles.
A bishop is the highest rank of cleric in the catholic church and he is the source of all sacraments.
martin m.
2006-07-08 04:51:35 · answer #6 · answered by Martin M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bishops role is one of service to his flock.
2006-07-08 04:27:25 · answer #7 · answered by Michelle A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the pecking order he is in charge of the priests and churches in his Diocese ( area).
He is responsible to the Cardinal ..next up in pecking order
LOTS of Jube Jube men between the people and God.
2006-07-08 04:28:50 · answer #8 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Middle management
Pope = chairman
cardinal = ceo
bishop = unit manager
priest = supervisor
2006-07-08 04:27:34 · answer #9 · answered by Sir J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋