Bishop

A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who has an important job in a religious group. In Christianity, bishops help manage and lead dioceses, which are areas where a church works. The job of a bishop is called the episcopacy or the episcopate. Many Christian denominations have bishops in their church, while others do not, because they think the role has too much power.

Traditionally, bishops believe they have apostolic succession. This means they see themselves as part of a line that goes back to the original Twelve Apostles or Saint Paul. Bishops are thought to have the full priesthood given by Jesus Christ. Because of this, they can choose other clergy members, including more bishops. Someone who becomes a deacon, then a priest (or presbyter), and finally a bishop is believed to hold the full ministerial priesthood. Their work includes guiding, teaching, and helping the Body of Christ, which means the Christian Church. Priests, deacons, and lay ministers help support their bishops in caring for people.

Some Pentecostal and other Protestant churches also have bishops who lead groups of people. However, these bishops do not always claim apostolic succession, except for some groups started by J. Delano Ellis and Paul S. Morton.

Etymology and terminology

The word bishop comes from old languages. It began with the Greek word epískopos, meaning "overseer" or "supervisor". This word was used in Greek before Christianity started. Over time, it changed through Latin, Old English, and Middle English to become the word we use today.

Another related term is priest, which also comes from Greek. The Greek word presbýteros means "elder" or "senior". In the early days of Christianity, these two jobs were not always different, but they later became specific positions in the church.

Christian episcopal development

The early Christian church, like Jewish synagogues, had leaders called presbyters. Over time, one leader became more important than the others. This leader was called the bishop. We can see this in the New Testament letters. Figures like Timothy and Titus were put in charge of local churches.

As the church grew, the role of the bishop became clearer. By the end of the 1st century, writers like Ignatius of Antioch talked about how important the bishop was. By the 4th century, the First Council of Nicaea made rules for choosing new bishops. They said that at least three bishops had to ordain a new one. At first, some young men became bishops. Later, churches decided that bishops should be at least 30 years old.

Christian bishops and civil government

See also: State church of the Roman Empire

The structure of the Roman Empire helped shape the Christian church. From the 4th century onward, the church grew and got land for buildings.

In 391, the Roman emperor Theodosius I returned church land taken by the government.

Bishops sometimes had important government roles, especially when the Roman Empire grew weaker. Two popes, Pope Leo I in the 5th century and Pope Gregory I in the 6th century, were good leaders in both church and public matters. In some places, bishops even became rulers, called prince bishops, especially during the Middle Ages.

Today, some bishops still have political roles. For example, in Andorra, one leader is the Bishop of Urgell. The leader of the Catholic Church, the Pope, is also the ruler of Vatican City, a small country in Rome. In the past, bishops in England and other places had important government jobs, but now their roles are smaller.

Christian churches

Catholic, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran and Anglican churches

Bishops are important leaders in several Christian traditions, including the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Evangelical-Lutheran Churches, Anglican Communion, and others. They often watch over areas called dioceses, which can be big or small.

In these churches, bishops do many things, like choosing new leaders and watching over church work. There are different kinds of bishops, such as archbishops, who lead bigger areas, and auxiliary bishops, who help the main bishop. Each church has its own way of picking and helping bishops.

Dress and insignia in Christianity

Main article: Pontifical vestments

Bishops in Christianity often wear special clothing and symbols to show their role. In the Catholic Church, a bishop may wear a purple cassock and a small skull cap called a zucchetto. They also use a crosier, a staff that curves at the top, and a mitre, a decorated head covering, during ceremonies.

In other Christian traditions like the Anglican and Eastern Orthodox churches, bishops have their own styles of clothing and symbols. For example, Anglican bishops wear a long white robe called a rochet under a colored garment called a chimere. Eastern Orthodox bishops wear items like a mandyas and a sakkos, along with a special mitre. Each tradition has its own way of showing respect and honor to the bishop.

In non-Christian religions

The leader of the Buddhist Churches of America is called a bishop. In Japan, they use the title sochō. Other Buddhist groups in North and South America, such as Higashi Hongan-ji, Honpa Honganji Mission of Hawaii, Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada, and several temples and missions, also call their leaders bishops.

Tenrikyo, a Japanese religion, also has leaders called bishops in its North American Mission.