The Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church
Theology llChapter 4 – Part 2
Mr. Perrotti – The Church
Prayer
• This is a complex unit with lots of terms and important men set out by the Holy Spirit to lead us as Catholic to God’s Kingdom.
• Today as we meditate, let us keep our new pope, all of his clergy and advisors in our prayers, that they will continue to do the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives!
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAiGAyp22JI.com - Only in God!
The Pope
• The Pope (from Latin: papa) is the Bishop of Rome and the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church.
• In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle.
• The office of the pope is known as the Papacy• The term "pontiff" is derived from the Latin,
which literally means "bridge builder"
The Induction of the Pope
• Like our President and his inauguration…..• Pope Francis l has his Induction – The Day in
his honor in which he formally accepts the Papal Office!
• The Difference is for the Pope – It is a worldwide event!– http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIBaNGmpYkw.com– The Pope prays at the tomb of Saint Peter!
The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church
• Currently over 250, but always around 200 members.
• Advisors to the Pope• Elect the Pope during what is called “The
Conclave”• A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official,
usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church.
The College of Cardinals
• Cardinals are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope.
• The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and making themselves available individually or in groups to the pope if he requests their counsel.
• Most cardinals have additional duties, such as leading a diocese or archdiocese or running a department of the Roman Curia.
The College of Cardinals
An Archbishop
• An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest and bishop.
• In Roman Catholic an archbishop has an ecclesiastical hat with ten tassels on each side of his coat of arms, while a bishop has only six.
• The archiepiscopal cross behind the shield has two bars instead of one. Such a cross may be borne before him in liturgical processions
Arch Bishop’s Cross
A Bishop
• The 12 Apostles were called the first bishops of the Church.
• A Bishop hold a position of authority in the Church, typically a Church Diocese.
• Bishops are appointed by Rome and report directly to an Archbishop or Cardinal
• Bishops are often referred as the “Managers of the Church”
A Priest
• A priest is a person authorized to perform the Sacraments of our religion , especially as a Shepard between Catholics and God
• Their office or position is the priesthood, a
term which also may apply to such persons together
A Priest
• They accomplish the daily work as servants of Jesus.
• As ordained members, they are the building block of the Church Hierarchy, as it all begins with them.
• They can administer most of the Sacraments, preach and our the Liturgical leaders of most parishes.
• The teach and are responsible to shepherd the members of their congregation
Deacons
• The call to the Order of Deacon is a call to a ministry of service.
• The service ministry of a deacon may take many forms. – Most deacons serve in parish ministry, primarily working
with the pastor and parish staff in facilitating lay ministry.
– As a facilitator of ministry, his task is to work with the pastor and parish staff in identifying areas of need. His task then is to train lay men and women to perform the ministry.
Permanent Deacon Catholic Priest
STOLE
The Magisterium
• The Magisterium or Teaching Authority of the Church
• It consists of the Pope and Bishops. • Catholic theology divides the functions of the
teaching office of the Church into two categories: the infallible sacred magisterium and the fallible ordinary magisterium.
The infallible Sacred Magisterium
• The infallible sacred magisterium includes the extraordinary declarations of the pope speaking ex cathedra (From the Chair), also
• The Ecumenical Councils as well as of the ordinary and universal magisterium.
• Despite its name, the "ordinary and universal magisterium" falls under the infallible sacred magisterium, because in most cases the pope uses his power of infallibility when he is in communion with the Bishops!
The fallible ordinary magisterium
• The ordinary magisterium includes the potentially fallible teachings of the pope and ecumenical Councils (i.e., not given ex cathedra). Think Insurance!
• Also, of individual Bishops or groups of Bishops as taken separately from the whole Council.
• Such teachings are fallible and could possibly contain errors; they are subject to revisions or even, rarely, revocation.
The Roman Curia
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG1LXOGKrJ4.com
• The administration of the Catholic Church.• Made up of Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and some Lay
People can serve on certain committees• The Curia is in place to advice the Pope on all
matters of the Church from Sacred Tradition to Health care.
• Members of the Curia are appointed by the pope, usually after intensive referral.
The Roman Curia
• The following are the positions or committees in the Curia:– The Secretariat of State – Senior Advisor to the Pope– The Congregations – 9 Committees of influence– Tribunals – 3 Sacred Groups – Supreme Court of the
Church.– Synod of Bishops (gatherings or conferences to discuss
pertinent issues in the Church)
Synod of Bishops
• A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine.
• In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular our Church, whether its members are meeting or not.
• The Synod of Bishops is a group formed by the Vatican to discuss, or render an opinion on certain issues.
Synod of Bishops
• The Synod of Bishops meets at the pope’s will.– Like a grand jury, to help the pope render and opinion or
make a decision.– The have been some great Synods in Church history. There
have been a number of modern meetings also. Pope Benedict XVII called a number of them.
• "The Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST for the hope of the world" 1998
• "The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church 2005
• "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church" 2008• "New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian
Faith" 2012
Condoleezza Rice with Angelo Sodano
The Congregations
• Standing Committees in the Curia (9)– Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
– Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
– Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
– Congregation for the Causes of Saints
The Congregations
– Congregation for Bishops
– Congregation for the Clergy
– Congregation for the Oriental Churches
– Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
– Congregation for Catholic Education
PURPOSE of the Congregations
• Each Congregation or Committee acts as an advisor to the pope in matters of the Church, similar to what the Cabinet does for the President, or committees do for Congress.
• The Congregations have a great deal of influence, as the pope is only one person and he must rely on his advisors.
• Unless he makes a change, he inherits these members, unlike our government!
Tribunals (3)
• The Apostolic Penitentiary, is one of the three tribunals of the Roman Curia. The Apostolic Penitentiary is chiefly a tribunal of mercy, responsible for issues relating to the forgiveness of sins in the Roman Catholic Church.
• The Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura is the highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church besides the Pope himself– This Tribunal rules on most matters of the Church.
Tribunals
• The Tribunal of the Roman Rota is the highest appellate tribunal.– Think of it like our Supreme Court – Handling Appeals from the Church– Although it may not always be the last resort for
some cases, at times Church cases can go right to this Tribunal.
The Secretariat of State
• The Secretariat of State is the oldest Office in the Roman Curia, the government of the Roman Catholic Church.
• He performs all the political and diplomatic functions of Vatican City and the Holy See.
• The Secretariat duties are divided into two sections, the Section for General Affairs and the Section for Relations with States.
To Conclude
• All institutions need a leader and a form of government.
• The also need a set of rules to Govern by.• The Pope is our supreme leader guided by the Holy
Spirit.• The Roman Curia is the body of Cardinals and
Bishops that advise him.• The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is our
constitution or rules in which these individuals lead by.
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