Bishops in the

Catholic Church

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]

Latin Church Catholic bishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller wearing the pontifical vestments and carrying a crosier.
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.

Diocesan bishops—known as eparchs 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 378 § 1 requires that a candidate for the
Latin episcopacy should be:

1. outstanding in solid faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence, and
human virtues, and endowed with other qualities which make him suitable to fulfill the
office in question;

2. of good reputation;

3. at least thirty-five years old;

4. ordained to the presbyterate for at least five years;

5. in possession of a doctorate or at least a licentiate in sacred scripture, theology, or

canon law from an institute of higher studies approved by the Apostolic See, or at least
truly expert in the same disciplines.

Diocesan bishops or eparchs

Additional titles, status and roles

Consecration of bishops and eparchs

Apostolic succession and other churches

Dress and vestments

See also

References

External links
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Last edited 10 hours ago by H. Kobe