The Pope |
|
 |
After a while the Church became too big for the Pope to look after on his own so the office of bishop and presbyter started. These are senior priests who represented the Pope to the people in the various regions. A Bishop's duties are to spread the Gospel, perform the mass and to lead his diocese as a servant of his community. |
The Vatican Photograph by J-M Strange |
|
However, the Pope does not 'rule' over the Bishops. He is one of them, although the most important of them. He is the 'first among equals' (primus inter pares) rather as the captain of a team is also a player and has to play in co-operation with the rest of the team. The Pope leads the College of Cardinals (chosen Bishops) and when he works with them all decisions are consensual, that is, they must all come to an agreement about what they talk about. The Pope also has the right to speak as an individual with full, supreme, universal authority 'ex cathedra' (from his bishop's chair) - but this is very rare. |
 |
Early Papal Throne at San Giovani in Rome Photograph by Mike Strange |
 |
Next |
|
Go back to 'Churches - Roman Catholic' |