Catholic Hierarchy

Last week we looked at the 24 different Catholic Churches united under the Pope, but what is a "pope?" Also last week, I said Phoenix was a rare example of one city having two cathedrals, but why is that? This can all be explained by exploring the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church.

Beginning at the top are bishops. Wait, bishops? What about cardinals, or even the pope? Well, they are actually just bishops but with some extra responsibilities. "Pope" is not really a title of office, but rather an affectionate term that comes from "Papa" (Father). The Pope's actual title is the Bishop of Rome. He is first and foremost a Bishop, and as Peter the Apostle, to whom Christ entrusted the Keys of Heaven, was the first Bishop of Rome (Pope), the current Bishop of Rome as Peter's successor takes preeminence over all other Bishops. The Cardinals are Bishops whom the Pope chooses to serve as advisors to him, and assist him in the governance of the church. It is these bishops, known as the College of Cardinals, who elect a new pope at a conclave.

Bishops are the successors of the Apostles, and thus together, in union with the successor of Peter, form the authority of the Church, each with broad power (and responsibility) over the governance and welfare of their Diocese. There is one Bishop to one Diocese (an area of jurisdiction), and each bishop has a throne called a Cathedra, which is housed in the Cathedral, which is the Bishop's personal church, hence why there is only one. Bishops are responsible for the care of every person (not just Catholics) within the territory of their Diocese. Additional bishops may be assigned to assist in a diocese, called Auxiliary Bishops, but they are technically bishops of a different diocese (1 Diocese to 1 Bishop). Bishops are subject only to the Pope, not to any archbishop or cardinal.

Below bishops are priests. Priests receive their authority to administer the sacraments from the bishop they serve under, and help the bishop provide for the spiritual needs of the diocese by running and staffing parishes. Each parish is led by one Pastor, who, like the Bishop on the diocesan level, is responsible for the spiritual care of every person in the territorial boundary of his parish. Additional priests may be assigned to assist the Pastor in providing for the sacramental needs of a parish, and they hold the title of Parochial Vicar. Priests serve primarily at the parish they are assigned, but frequently assist with duties around the diocese.

Deacons follow after priests, and they serve almost exclusively within their assigned parish. Unlike priests, they are often married and often come into the service of the church later in life after working a normal job in society. Their focus at a parish is to assist the priests, especially in ministries of direct service and outreach.