Roles and Hierarchy in the Catholic Church

Pope

Supreme Pontiff, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ, Pastor of the universal church.

Pope Francis

Elected by the college of Cardinals in a conclave, Resided in Vatican City, 265th pope.

Cardinal

Appointed by the pope to assist on matters of governance and teaching. Primary tasks is to serve as papal electors. Only cardinals under 80 can vote. No more than 120 members of the eligible.

Conclave

Secret ballot, Two-thirds majority to win. Ballots are burned, smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel. 'Habemus Papam' declared.

Archbishop

The leader of an archdiocese. These are either larger or historically important dioceses (also called a See). The Roman Catholic archdiocese of St. Louis is headed by Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski. All bishops submit their resignation to the Pope when reaching age 75.

Patriarch

There are seven in the Catholic Church. Six serve as bishops for the Eastern Rite Catholics. Eastern Orthodox Christianity also uses the term for major sees.

Eastern Rites Patriarchs

Include Syrian Catholic, Greek Melkite Catholic, Maronite Catholic (Lebanon), Coptic Catholic (Egypt), Chaldean Catholic, Armenian Catholic. All the faithful in these jurisdictions are fully Catholic. They share the doctrines and sacraments of the universal Church. Their liturgical rites are different (i.e. Greek, Aramaic, etc., not Latin).

Bishop

Head of diocese. They have jurisdiction over the people within their diocese. Bishops are the primary teachers of the faith. Role is to teach, sanctify, and govern. Empowered to ordain priests, deacons, and other bishops.

Monsignor

Simply a title of honor given to a priest. The bishop can recommend this appointment. Only the Pope can grant the title.

Pastor

Must be a priest. Appointed to lead a parish. Pastors serve under the authority of the diocesan bishop. Duties include teaching, sanctifying, and governing.

Priest

Ordained ministry for the service of the people of God through the sacrament of Holy Orders. He administers the sacraments and preaches the Gospel.

Type 1: Secular or Diocesan Priest

Ordained into the diocese to assist the bishop. Typically assigned to serve in a parish.

Type 2: Religious

Ordained into a religious community or monastic order.

Religious and Secular Priest

Both take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These are also called evangelical counsels.

Deacon

First degree of ordained service. All priests are ordained deacons first, called transitional diaconate.

Permanent Deacons

A qualified married man 35 years of age or older may be ordained as a permanent deacon. He must receive the consent of his wife and cannot remarry if his wife dies.

Vowed Religious Life

A community of men or women living in a religious community. These are called orders or congregations. Members take solemn vows committing themselves to the community for life.

Religious Life

Men who join the orders and do not become priests are called brothers. Women religious who live in religious community together are called sisters.

Monk

Men who live in a monotheistic (cloistered) community. They live far apart from the world and often take an additional vow of silence.

Nun

Women religious who live in a cloistered community (convent). They live far apart from the world and often take a vow of silence.

The Laity

All non-ordained members of the Church. The mission of all the baptized is to witness to Christ amid secular affairs, especially the family (Domestic Church).