Bishop

A Bishop is an ordained member of the church who is given responsibility for the spiritual life of those within a heavily populated area, called a diocese or sometimes a bishopric. The Pope is the Bishop of Rome. The term archbishop, while not carrying extra rank or privileges, is more prestigious. There are also certain bishoprics whose incumbents, for historical reasons, are recognised as patriarchs.

Bishops claim to be part of a continuous sequence of ordination since the days of the Apostles.