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Ruthie
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| First Name: | Ruthie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nominal Presbyterian, aetheist, evangelical Christian/Episcopalian, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 02:45 am |
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I'd like to know more about the hierarchy of the Church. Can someone tell me? What are the different levels and how do they relate to each other? Thanks.
Ruthie
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Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. (NRSV, Luke 18:17)
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 12:02 pm |
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Ruthie wrote: I'd like to know more about the hierarchy of the Church. Can someone tell me? What are the different levels and how do they relate to each other? Thanks.
That's a little like asking someone to explain government in the United States. There are towns and cities and townships, counties and parishes, various administrative districts, states, bureaucracies, court jurisdictions, election districts, appointed positions, etc. And it varies from area to area. Remember that the Catholic Church has more than a billion members, and represents not only a Church but also a civil government.
The simplest jurisdiction in the Church is the parish. The person in charge is the pastor. He is always a priest. In those areas where a lay administrator is appointed, he or she operates under the supervision of a priest or the bishop.
Parishes are grouped into deaneries, and dean carries the title "Very Reverend." The dean presides over meetings, addresses problems with priests such as replacements in case of illness, plans common events, etc.
Large dioceses may have further groupings, all under the authority of the local ordinary (the presiding bishop). All priests and assistant bishops act under the authority of the bishop, who is the supreme authority in his diocese.
Dioceses are grouped for administrative purposes into Provinces under the guidance of an archbishop, who is known as the Metropolitan. In certain cases, such as tribunal issues, there is an automatic appeal to the provincial tribunal which reviews all cases. Otherwise, the provincial archdiocese takes a leadership role in common meetings such as to plan pastoral letters with a local impact. In my province of Louisiana, the bishops have jointly agreed to a Marriage Policy and have issued pastorals on environmental issues and on pastoral care of the sick and dying. Also, the dioceses in our province were instrumental in helping each other minister to the displaced and maintain operations during the Katrina evacuations.
The official representative of the pope in a given country is known as the Papal Nuncio. He is present at official functions such as the installation of a new bishop in a major diocese, and also serves as the ambassador of the Vatican to the country. He will often sign letters of appointment on behalf of the pope, and he is responsible for gathering the name of potential candidates for bishop and forwarding them on to the Vatican along with recommendations. He is also responsible for monitoring the activity of bishops and recommending their replacement when necessary.
The Vatican also has permanent observer status at the United Nations, is a signatory to major international treaties, and participates in international conferences on humanitarian issues.
National bishops conferences are advisory bodies that issue pastorals and take those actions which have been authorized to them, subject to Vatican approval. For example, the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) recently approved a pastoral on the Eucharist. They are currently in negotiation with the Vatican on a new translation of the Roman Missal, which will result in changes in the language of the mass.
The Vatican is a large, bureaucratic organization. Different groups, called Congregations, deal with specific issues involving the Church around the world. The heads of the congregations are usually cardinals, and they report to the pope, directly or indirectly. The Vatican congregations are collectively known as the Curia. The Vatican also prints its own postage stamps.
The Vatican also operates one of the largest museums in the world, and has a full-time staff of art restorers who are dedicated to preserving and protecting a priceless collection of masterpieces. It also operates the most valuable library in the world, with documents dating back a thousand years or more.
Cardinals are known as "princes of the Church". They are advisors to the pope, and they alone have the authority to elect a new pope. They maintain dual citizenship in their native country and also in the Vatican.
And then, of course, there is the pope. He is the only absolute monarch in the world who is democratically elected. He has supreme authority not only over the Catholic Church but also over the Vatican city-state, and is given all honors due a visiting head of state when he travels abroad (meaning outside the Vatican). He also maintains a standing army, known as the Swiss Guard, which has as its sole function the protection of the Holy Father. Members of the Guard are really from Switzerland, where it is considered a great honor to be chosen to serve the pope.
This simple explanation barely scratches the surface. Their are monsignors, canons, eparchs, patriarchs, deacons, archdeacons, archpriests, rectors, vicars, and lots more. I don't know if I answered your question, but maybe you can ask additional questions.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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BodRod
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 12:35 pm |
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So far so good, Rick. Keep going. What is the "Rest of the story" as Paul Harvey would say?
BTW I copied out your posting for use in RCIA if/as appropriate. Thanks. 
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 01:02 pm |
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BodRod wrote: So far so good, Rick. Keep going. What is the "Rest of the story" as Paul Harvey would say?
There is a large volume published every year that is The Official Catholic Directory. If you take a look at the link, you'll see that it is huge, and it only covers the United States. And I'm no expert, especially when it comes to the Vatican. You can link to a lot of the Vatican information from this web site or this web site or this web site. Or you can start searching at the Vatican web site and continue for days.
The ecclesial heirarchy is included in the Code of Canon Law in Book II, which covers sections 204-755. You'll find the code here. Information on the USCCB is available here.
So if there's any additional information you're interested in, you'll have to ask.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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BodRod
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 01:23 pm |
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| Thanks Rick. I see what you mean. This is going to take me some time, I see but it will be interesting and informative.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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Ruthie
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
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| First Name: | Ruthie | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nominal Presbyterian, aetheist, evangelical Christian/Episcopalian, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 05:16 pm |
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Thanks so much, Rick. This is very helpful - just some basic info on the subject. I do have specific questions but will ask them later when I have more details.
I was asked a question about Church hierarchy at Christmas dinner with family yesterday. I was the only Catholic there. I was disappointed in myself that I couldn't give them answers. I just had to say that I didn't know enough and I would have to check on it. Now I have to ask them yet again who the person is they wanted to know about (someone in Peru) and what exactly his title and position is. They were especially curious about why he was shown such deference by the local people.
So I will ask the rest of the questions later.
Ruthie
____________________
Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. (NRSV, Luke 18:17)
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 05:23 pm |
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Ruthie wrote: Now I have to ask them yet again who the person is they wanted to know about (someone in Peru) and what exactly his title and position is. They were especially curious about why he was shown such deference by the local people.
Depending on the culture, any priest or religious might be shown deference. The people of New Orleans will give deference to a nun in a habit. It is less common in secular societies today, but in devout regions of Central and South America, it is still common.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Ruthie
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 06:13 pm |
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Rick,
The person in Peru is the Archbishop of Lima who is also a Cardinal. On a trip to Peru, my sister-in-law, a non-catholic, who is not familiar with South American Catholic culture was particularly surprised by the deference and adulation show him by the local people. She met him personally, found him to be a wonderful, very nice, genuine, very intelligent and informed man who seemed to enjoy their meeting very much. She figured it was one of the few times he could actually converse normally with a person instead of dealing with all those folks trying to kiss his hand wherever he went. She figured her non-catholicism had an advantage here. She just treated him like any other human being in a social setting.
Rick said:
...any priest or religious might be shown deference.
...in devout regions of Central and South America, it is still common.
I guess you've explained it here. So there isn't anything more than that, just local custom and attitude?
I called my brother (also a non-catholic) for more details. It turns out he knows more than I do on this subject and he could have told her all this himself. I guess she just figured there might be more to it. My brother knows a bit about him, told me a little, and he seems to be a heroic figure, having dealt with the terrible rebel guerilla group called the Shining Path (back in the 80s?) So this also might be what the people see in him.
Another question: In Reno, Nevada, when I was taking RCIA classes, the Monseigneur came to visit the class. I still have no idea what his title represents. Br. Matthew, our instructor, seemed particularly deferential to him too.
So what is a monseigneur?
Ruthie
Last edited on Tue Dec 26th, 2006 06:20 pm by Ruthie
____________________
Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. (NRSV, Luke 18:17)
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 06:22 pm |
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Ruthie wrote: So what is a monseigneur?
Monsignor is an honorary title, often given to one who has been active in the Church heirarchy such as by being a dean or holding another position. In some large dioceses, a monsignor may be authorized to administer confirmation within a geographical territory. It is similar to titles like archpriest or canon. The title itself does not convey any authority or power, but rather is usually granted as a result of the position he holds within the diocese.
The USCCB defines Monsignor as:
Monsignor: An honorary ecclesiastical title granted by the Pope to some diocesan priests. In the United States, the title is given to the vicar general of a diocese. In Europe, the title is also given to bishops.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 06:29 pm |
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Monsignor is an honorary title [for a priest].
This is true in English speaking countries. However, in French and Spanish speaking countries (and probably others), it is the formal title used to address or refer to bishops. So there could be some confusion if you are speaking of a foreign land or culture.
David
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 08:17 pm |
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Ruthie wrote: The person in Peru is the Archbishop of Lima who is also a Cardinal. On a trip to Peru, my sister-in-law, a non-catholic, who is not familiar with South American Catholic culture was particularly surprised by the deference and adulation show him by the local people. She met him personally, found him to be a wonderful, very nice, genuine, very intelligent and informed man who seemed to enjoy their meeting very much. She figured it was one of the few times he could actually converse normally with a person instead of dealing with all those folks trying to kiss his hand wherever he went. She figured her non-catholicism had an advantage here. She just treated him like any other human being in a social setting.
Ruthie, I missed this the first time.
A bishop is automatically given deference because of his ring, which signifies his office. A bishop is a successor to the apostles, and it is customary to kiss a bishop's ring as a sign of respect for his position. Most American bishops prefer today not to have their ring kissed, but it is still common in Central and South America.
A cardinal is a bishop who serves as an advisor to the pope, and has the added responsibility of participating in the election of a new pope. He is also legally a citizen of Vatican City.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Dec 26th, 2006 08:19 pm |
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David W. Emery wrote: [size=Monsignor is an honorary title [for a priest].
This is true in English speaking countries. However, in French and Spanish speaking countries (and probably others), it is the formal title used to address or refer to bishops. So there could be some confusion if you are speaking of a foreign land or culture.
]
Thanks for the clarification.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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