Bishops who fulfill this function are known as diocesan ordinaries, because they have what canon law calls ordinary (i.e. The typical role of a bishop is to provide pastoral governance for a diocese.
The Pope himself is a bishop (the bishop of Rome) and traditionally uses the title "Venerable Brother" when writing formally to another bishop. The bishops, who possess the fullness of orders, and therefore the fullness of both priesthood and diaconate, are as a body (the College of Bishops) considered the successors of the Apostles and are "constituted Pastors in the Church, to be the teachers of doctrine, the priests of sacred worship and the ministers of governance" and "represent the Church." In 2012, there were 5,133 Catholic bishops at the end of 2014, there were 5,237 Catholic bishops. Women are excluded from the hierarchy of clergy. Only bishops can administer the sacrament of Holy Orders, by which men are ordained as bishops, priests or deacons. Only priests and bishops can celebrate the sacraments of the Eucharist (though others may be ministers of Holy Communion), Penance (Reconciliation, Confession), Confirmation (priests may administer this sacrament with prior ecclesiastical approval), and Anointing of the Sick. Īll clergy, including deacons, priests, and bishops, may preach, teach, baptize, witness marriages, and conduct funeral liturgies. Approximately 22% of all parishes do not have a resident pastor, and 3,485 parishes worldwide are entrusted to a deacon or lay ecclesial minister. Ordinarily, care of a parish is entrusted to a priest, though there are exceptions. Dioceses are divided into individual communities called parishes, each staffed by one or more priests, deacons, or lay ecclesial ministers. Īs of 31 December 2020, the Catholic Church consisted of 2,903 dioceses or equivalent jurisdictions, each overseen by a bishop. The term "hierarchy" became popular only in the sixth century, due to the writings of Pseudo-Dionysius.
The term "pope" was still used loosely until the sixth century, being at times assumed by other bishops. Accordingly, "hierarchy of the Catholic Church" is also used to refer to the bishops alone. In the Catholic Church, authority rests chiefly with the bishops, while priests and deacons serve as their assistants, co-workers or helpers. In canonical and general usage, it refers to those who exercise authority within a Christian church.
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