Bishop: Difference between revisions
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'''Bishop''' (from [[Greek language|Greek]]: ἐπίσκοπος, ''episkopos'', from ἐπί "over" and σκοπός "seeing") is an [[ordination|ordained]] or [[consecration|consecrated]] member of the [[Clergy#Christian clergy|Christian clergy]] who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. The office of bishop is one of the three ministerial offices within [[Christianity]], the other two being those of [[priest]] ([[presbyter]]) and [[deacon]]. Within the [[Roman Catholic]], [[Eastern Orthodox]], [[Oriental Orthodox]] Churches, in the [[Assyrian Church of the East]], in the [[Independent Catholic Churches]], and in the [[Anglican]] churches, bishops claim [[Apostolic Succession]], a direct historical lineage dating back to the original [[Twelve Apostles]]. Within these churches, bishops can ordain clergy including other bishops. Some [[Protestant]] churches including the [[Lutheran]] and [[Methodist]] churches have bishops serving similar functions as well, though not always understood to be within [[Apostolic Succession]] in the same sense. The [[Mormon|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]] church also has bishops, who serve as spiritual leaders of local congregations ([[ward|wards]]). Bishops are of a higher rank than priests. | '''Bishop''' (from [[Greek language|Greek]]: ἐπίσκοπος, ''episkopos'', from ἐπί "over" and σκοπός "seeing") is an [[ordination|ordained]] or [[consecration|consecrated]] member of the [[Clergy#Christian clergy|Christian clergy]] who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. The office of bishop is one of the three ministerial offices within [[Christianity]], the other two being those of [[priest]] ([[presbyter]]) and [[deacon]]. Within the [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]], [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]], [[Christianity#Oriental_Orthodox|Oriental Orthodox]] Churches, in the [[Assyrian Church of the East]], in the [[Independent Catholic Churches]], and in the [[Anglican]] churches, bishops claim [[Apostolic Succession]], a direct historical lineage dating back to the original [[Twelve Apostles]]. Within these churches, bishops can ordain clergy including other bishops. Some [[Protestant]] churches including the [[Lutheran]] and [[Methodist]] churches have bishops serving similar functions as well, though not always understood to be within [[Apostolic Succession]] in the same sense. The [[Mormon|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]] church also has bishops, who serve as spiritual leaders of local congregations ([[ward|wards]]). Bishops are of a higher rank than priests. | ||
Revision as of 08:36, 22 February 2009
Bishop (from Greek: ἐπίσκοπος, episkopos, from ἐπί "over" and σκοπός "seeing") is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. The office of bishop is one of the three ministerial offices within Christianity, the other two being those of priest (presbyter) and deacon. Within the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the Anglican churches, bishops claim Apostolic Succession, a direct historical lineage dating back to the original Twelve Apostles. Within these churches, bishops can ordain clergy including other bishops. Some Protestant churches including the Lutheran and Methodist churches have bishops serving similar functions as well, though not always understood to be within Apostolic Succession in the same sense. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints church also has bishops, who serve as spiritual leaders of local congregations (wards). Bishops are of a higher rank than priests.