The Office of the Church

bishop

The successors to the Apostles, who have received the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. the leader of a particular church, or diocese, entrusted to him.

priest

The collaborators of the bishops. By virtue of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, are consecrated -- set apart in a sacred way -- to serve in persona Christi Capitis

deacon

Men are ordained not for priesthood but for ministry and service as assistants to bishops and priests. They serve important functions in the ministry of the world, divine worship, pastoral governance, and the service of charity, tasks which they must carry out under the pastoral authority of their bishop.

pope

successor of st. peter as bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff of the universal catholic church. the pope excersies a primcy of authority as the vicar of christ on earth and the shepherd of the whole church.

infallbility

the charism of being infallible in matters of faith and morals

evangelization

The act of sharing the Good News of the Gospel message of salvation. At the command of Jesus, the Church's mission is to evangelize the whole world.

apostolic see

The seat of authority of the entire Roman Catholic Church that continues the Apostolic leadership of St. Peter in and through the pope.

diocese

A community of the faithful, usually within a geographic area but sometimes constituted as a group of people of the same rite or language, who are led by a bishop ordained in apostolic succession; A particular church.

offices of the church

Functions or responsibilities entrusted to the Church by Jesus. In her earthly dimension, she has three particular functions: teaching, sanctifying, and governing.

ex cathedra

A phrase describing a pope's definitive and infallible teaching as being given from his authority as the successor of Peter. Latin for "from the chair."