HIERARCHY OF THE CHURCH

  From top down, the image below shows the hierarchy of the church.

There are many other positions in the hierarchy not shown in the figure above, but these seven are the basic ones. Out of the seven, there are just four (4) levels since the Pope, the Cardinals, the Archbishops, and the Bishops are all Bishops. This is because there are only 3 levels of Holy Order. The first level comes with the ordination as a deacon, the second is the ordination as a priest, and the third and final is the ordination as a bishop. Other positions are by special appointments or elections.

Starting from ground up, who is the Laity?

According to the Second Vatican Council definition, The term laity  is understood to mean all the faithful except those in holy orders and those in the state of religious life specially approved by the Church. These faithful are by baptism made one body with Christ and are constituted among the People of God; they are in their own way made sharers in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly functions of Christ; and they carry out their own part of the mission of the whole Christian people in the Church and in the world. This refers to all baptized Catholics (excluding those who are ordained i.e. the clergy). They constitute the majority of the Church. They are guided, nurtured, and guarded by the clergy i.e. the clergy is the shepherd while the laity is the flock. 

They are expected to strive to embody the teachings of the Church and to share the gift of the Catholic faith. They are called to be active members of their parish and can act in the roles of altar servers, acolytes, lectors or extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion during the liturgy or to the sick as the case may be. They act as everyday ministers of the faith, bringing the principles of Christianity and Catholicism to work, school, and home. They also reap the same benefits through living a life of faith and devotion as do members of the clergy.

Who are Deacons?

Deacons are members of the clergy who are ordained to assist priests in their pastoral and administrative duties. This is the first level of ordination after receiving instruction in philosophy, theology, study of the Bible, homiletics, sacramental studies, evangelization, ecclesiology, counseling, and pastoral care and ministry before ordination. 

During the Mass, the deacon's responsibilities include assisting the priest, proclaiming the Gospel, announcing the General Intercessions, and distributing Communion. They may also preach the homily. As clerics, deacons are required to pray the Liturgy of the Hours (Breviary) each day. Deacons, like priests and bishops, are ordinary ministers of the sacrament of Baptism and may witness at the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony outside of Mass. Deacons may lead funeral rites outside Mass such as the final commendation at the gravesite or the reception of the body at a service in the funeral home, and may assist the priest at the Requiem Mass. They can also preside over various services such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and may give certain blessings. Deacons cannot hear confession and give absolution, anoint the sick, or celebrate Mass.

There are two recognized types of deacons:

• Permanent deacons are those men who are ordained deacons but have no intention or desire of becoming priests. They can be single or married. If the latter, they must be married before being ordained a deacon. If his wife dies before him, he may be ordained a priest if the bishop permits and approves, usually for pastoral necessities. Permanent deacons, especially those who are married, have secular jobs to support their families and also help the local pastor by visiting the sick, teaching the faith, counseling couples and individuals, working on parish committees and councils, and giving advice to the pastor.

• Transitional deacons are seminarians, students in the last phase of training for the Catholic priesthood. After being a deacon for a year or at least six months, they are ordained as priests by the bishop.

Note: There is no sacramental or canonical difference between the two, however, as there is only one order of deacons.

The Priesthood

The Priesthood is the second order of the three Holy Orders and it comes after the Diaconate (deacon) and before the Episcopate (Bishop). Those ordained for priesthood are known as Priests. They are generally addressed with the title “Father” or Fr. for short. They are ordained by Bishops after undergoing training and study in the Seminary for several years (depending on the diocese and the entrance level of the seminarian). They have the power and authority to celebrate five of the seven sacraments like Baptism, Penance, Holy Eucharist (Mass), Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick.

So, who is a Bishop?

A bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in his jurisdiction, sanctifying the world and representing the Church. The origins of the office of bishop is traced back to the apostles, who were endowed with a special charism by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This special charism has been transmitted through an unbroken succession of bishops by the laying on of hands in the sacrament of holy orders.

Bishops have the “fullness of the priesthood,” because they alone have the authority to offer all seven sacraments — Baptism, Penance, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders.

Where pastoral needs may demand it, the bishop may appoint a priest to administer the sacrament of confirmation.

Canon 378 requires that a candidate for the Latin episcopacy (Bishop) should be:

• Outstanding in solid faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence, and human virtues, and endowed with other qualities which make him suitable to fulfill the office in question;

• Of good reputation;

• At least thirty-five years old;

• Ordained to the presbyterate (Priest) for at least five years;

• In possession of a doctorate or at least a licentiate in sacred scripture, theology, or canon law from an institute of higher studies approved by the Apostolic See, or at least truly expert in the same disciplines.

Bishops are always men and are collectively known as the College of Bishops and can hold such additional titles as:

• Bishop-elect: This is a bishop who has been appointed, but has not yet been consecrated. (Consecration is the ceremony formally elevating the bishop-elect to his new rank.)

• Auxiliary bishop: This is a bishop assigned to assist the diocesan bishop in meeting the pastoral and administrative needs of the diocese.

• Coadjutor bishop: This is an immediate collaborator of the diocesan bishop, similar to an auxiliary bishop. However, unlike auxiliary bishops, coadjutors are given the right of succession to the episcopal see. When the diocesan bishop dies, retires, resigns, or is reassigned, the coadjutor automatically becomes the next bishop of the local Church (diocese). Until then, the diocesan bishop appoints the coadjutor to act as vicar general.

• Bishop-prelate: All prelates have the title "Monsignor" and a special costume (purple) corresponding to their rank;

• Diocesan Bishop: This is a bishop in pastoral charge of a diocese. He is responsible for the following:

• Oversee preaching of the Gospel and Catholic education in all its forms; 

• Oversee and provide for the administration of the sacraments; 

• Note: The sacrament of Confirmation is normally administered by the bishop but he may delegate the administration to a priest.

• Legislate, administer and act as judge for canon-law matters within his diocese.

• Confers the sacrament of holy orders.

• On Holy Thursday he presides over the Mass of the Chrism and is responsible for consecrating the Oil of Chrism, Oil of Catechumen, and Oil of the sick (this may also be blessed by any priest in case of necessity).

• Granting imprimaturs for theological books, certifying that they are free from doctrinal or moral error;

• Visits to the Holy Father every five years and gives reports on his diocese. 

• Attending  episcopal conferences in his country.

• Emeritus bishop: When a diocesan bishop or auxiliary bishop retires, he is given the honorary title of "emeritus" of the last see he served, i.e., archbishop emeritus, bishop emeritus, or auxiliary bishop emeritus of the see

• Archbishop: This is a bishop who is in charge of all the bishops and priests in a particular country or region or archdiocese.

• Papal Nuncio / Apostolic Nuncio: He is the head of the diplomatic mission, called an Apostolic Nunciature, which is the equivalent of an embassy. He serves as the liaison between the Holy See (Pope) and the Church in that particular nation, supervising the diocesan episcopate (usually a national conference of bishops which has its own chairman). He is appointed by and represents the Holy See and he is usually an archbishop.

• Cardinal: 

They are the most senior clergyman or ecclesiastical officials in the Church below the Pope. They are usually Bishops of important ‘sees’ (dioceses) from throughout the world, or heads of departments of the Vatican. Collectively, they are known as the College of Cardinals. Cardinals form the Roman Curia, which is a whole group of administrators (Cardinal Prefects) — something like cabinet members who assist the president. 

Duties:

• Attending meetings of the College.

• They advise the Pope.

• They participate in the Papal consistories (a formal meeting of the college of Cardinals called by the Pope):

• There are two types of consistories; Extraordinary consistories & ordinary consistories.

• Extraordinary consistories are held to allow the Pope to consult the entire membership of the college of Cardinals.

• Ordinary consistories are ceremonial in nature and are attended by cardinals resident in Rome.

• Some heads up each of several commissions and councils, as well as three high courts of the Catholic Church: the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Apostolic Signatura, and the Roman Rota, all of which deal with canon law and its application and interpretation.

• Some (a congregation) are(is) in charge of Catholic education, another deals with evangelization, and so on.

• Participating in Papal Conclaves (Papal Elections):

They have the task of electing the Pope in a Conclave should the previous pope die or retire. When the Pope’s seat is vacant, only Cardinals who are not up to 80 years as at that day can enter the Papal Conclave. No sooner than 15 days and no later than 20 days after the death or resignation of the pope, all the cardinals are summoned to Rome for the secret conclave. They are locked inside the Sistine Chapel, the pope’s private chapel at the Vatican, until they elect a new pope. There they begin discussions and deliberations. Historically, the election of a new pope could take place in one of three different forms:

• Acclamation: A name is presented, and everyone unanimously consents without the need of a secret ballot.

• Compromise: Each cardinal casts a secret ballot. If no one achieves a two-thirds majority after several rounds of voting, then the entire College of Cardinals may choose one or several electors to select a candidate, and the entire body is bound to accept that choice. A unanimous vote to employ compromise is necessary for it to be valid.

• Scrutiny: Each cardinal proposes a candidate and gives reasons for his qualifications before the individual cardinals cast their secret ballot. A two-thirds majority decision is needed to elect a new pope.

If no one receives two-thirds of the votes or if the nominee declines the nomination, then wet straw is mixed with the paper ballots and burned in the chimney. The wet straw makes black smoke, which alerts the crowds gathered outside that a two-thirds majority decision hasn’t yet been made. One vote occurs in the morning and one in the evening. The election continues twice a day, every day. After a cardinal has received a two-thirds majority vote, he’s asked whether he accepts the nomination. If he accepts, he’s then asked, “By what name are you to be addressed?” Then he chooses a name.

 

College of Cardinals

Italy - Religion - Conclave - Pro Eligendo Pontifice mass. Cardinals attend the Pro Eligendo Pontifice Mass at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican ahead of the beginning of the Conclave where they will elect the successor of Pope Benedict XVI. (Photo by Alessandra Benedetti/Corbis via Getty Images)

• The Pope: 

He  is the Bishop of Rome. He is the spiritual leader of the church. He is the successor of St Peter the Apostle (there is an unbroken line of Popes from St Peter all the way through history to the present Pope); therefore, he inherits his power from the St. Peter whom Jesus anointed to be the head of His Church. His office is known as Papacy. He is also known as the Holy See, the Supreme Pontiff/Roman Pontiff, and also the Vicar (representative) of Christ. He is also the President of the Vatican City which is a country of its own.

Duties:

• Defines faith issues

• Administers the whole Church

• Appoints Bishops and Cardinals

• Creates Dioceses

• Name Saints

• Represents the Church

Note: A man can retire from the active ministry or be forced to leave if he misbehaves, but no deacon, priest, or bishop can ever have his Holy Orders taken away from him.

• Being defrocked is involuntary and is imposed as a punishment for committing crime or scandal.

• Laicization is at the request of the cleric who wishes to be relieved of his obligations of celibacy and no longer wants to celebrate his sacred ministry.

Both actions have the same effect: Defrocked and laicized priests can’t wear the Roman collar, be called “Father,” or publicly celebrate the sacraments. All requests for laicization must go to Rome, and only the Vatican can approve them.