If the main leader makes a wrong decision it can be harder for people to object. People can tend to feel less involved and engaged in the direction and focus of the Church. Hierarchy in the Catholic Church The Catholic Church has a strong emphasis on hierarchy levels of leadership. There are seven levels in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, starting at the bottom with people and finishing at the top with God.
Advantages of a hierarchical structure It helps to prevent false teaching by having one strong teacher who can impart the right beliefs. This is why the hierarchy of the Church is structured as it is. In the past Popes were appointed by the Holy Roman Emperor, this meant that the Emporer would elect a Pope that best suited to their own agenda. Since approximately AD, Popes have been appointed by the Cardinals. This one simple change has helped to ensure that only the most suitable, and well-deserving candidates could be elevated to the position of Pope.
To further help to ensure that the Pope is able to do what is right for the Church, the faithful, and the world at large, the Pope seeks the advice of their Cardinals, appoints the Bishops who are more suited for various roles of importance, and conducts regular meetings with other Bishops from all over the world, heeding their advice, and addressing their concerns.
Bishops who are the heads of several local autonomous Churches can be granted the title of Patriarch or sui juris. These Patriarchs are granted authority over the Bishops of their particular branch of the Church, as well as members of their congregations. When the leader of an autonomous branch of the Church that is both large enough and stable enough to govern themselves, but due to historical, ecumenical, or political limitations, are unable to be classified as a Patrich of their Church, they can instead be granted the title of Major Archbishop.
Cardinals are basically the princes of the Catholic Church. While they may not be an integral part of the theological structure of the Catholic Church, they are nonetheless held in high esteem, are greatly honored and respected by the community at large, and are very important for maintaining the political structure within the Church. Each Cardinal is appointed by the Pope. They are usually selected from Bishops who have headed departments of the Roman Curia, the administrative institutions of the Holy See that see to the affairs and conduct of the Catholic Church.
Those who are appointed to the prestigious role of Cardinal will hold the title for life. All Cardinals form the body of the College of Cardinals and work together to provide advice to the current Pope. When a new Pope needs to be elected, it is the responsibility of the Cardinals who are under the age of 80 to agree upon the next successor.
The title of Primate is a prerogative title of honor, that is bestowed upon Bishops who are the ordinary of the first diocese or the oldest archdiocese of a particular country or metropolitan See. In the past, the Primate may have held authority over all parishes within their larger region. Today a Primate holds no power of governance. That is unless a preexisting custom or tradition grants them authority over their constitutes, or privileges have been granted by the Holy See. Metropolitan cities are home to millions of people.
In order for the Catholic Church to effectively service the faithful who happen to live within these cities, the city itself is divided up into different districts known as diocese. A Bishop is then appointed to each of these dioceses. Pope: Head of the church, he is based at the Vatican. The pope is infallible in defining matters of faith and morals. Cardinal: Appointed by the pope, cardinals worldwide, including 13 in the U.
As a body, it advises the pope and, on his death, elects a new pope. Archbishop: An archbishop is a bishop of a main or metropolitan diocese, also called an archdiocese.
A cardinal can concurrently hold the title. The U.
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