Leadership Roles in the Church

“of one heart and soul” Christ ALONE is the head of the Church the pope is his chief human representative on earth JC did NOT leave clear cut directions for the Church’s organization …so… we rely on his actions & teachings what we know FOR SURE: Jesus selected 12 Apostles Jesus chose Peter as the leader of the 12

The ACTS of the Apostles: The 1st Leaders of the Church maintained # @ 12 as Jesus had in his lifetime chose deacons to serve & minister Jesus’ message (example: St. Stephen) used presbyters (priests) to assist in decision-making for the spread of the Gospel (Acts 15:22) elected episcopes (bishops) to lead local communities

The Hierarchy of the Church Please place the following leadership positions in order beginning with the Head of the Church and ending with the Followers of the Church. HINT: Some positions will align laterally rather than vertically. Archbishops Bishops Brother/Monk Cardinals Jesus Laity Permanent Deacon Pope Priests Sister/Nun Transitional Deacon

The Hierarchy of the Church The Misconception The Real Deal pope bishops (Cardinals; Archbishops; Bishops) priests deacons (Transitional; Permanent) laity (Us; Sisters/Nuns; Brothers/Monks) pope cardinals archbishops bishops priests deacons laity

The Pope & His 3 Jobs Priest of San Giovanni Laterano (St. John Lateran) preaches here regularly Bishop of the City of Rome control over a limited # of other local churches (a diocese) in turn, means St. John Lateran Basilica is a cathedral (a local church where the bishop resides) Pope the “Ruler of Bishops” has final authority in all matters appoints bishops to diocese & transfers them to others Pope Benedict XVI

The Bishops succeeds the Apostles in governing the Church 2 jobs in the Church: Parish Priest Bishop of their diocese have the power to grant holy orders minister confirmation ALSO REMEMBER: have control over a limited # of other local churches (a diocese) in turn, their parish church is a cathedral (a local church where the bishop resides) Bishop James V. Johnston

Archbishops & Cardinals = in authority w/ Bishops main difference: archbishops control a larger than avg territory Ex. of a Diocese: The Dioceses of Springfield-Cape Girardeau 26,000 miles 39 counties 66 parishes 66,000 Catholics Bishop James V. Johnston Ex. of an Archdiocese: The Archdiocese of St. Louis 198 parishes ~1/2 million Catholics Archbishop: Bobby C! basically, bishops with additional privileges (but not in rank) have no power over bishops act as an advisory panel for the pope elect the new pope Today: 199 Cardinals in the World 17 Cardinals in the USA ex. Cardinal Justin Francis Rigali (use to be the Archbishop of St. Louis)

Brain Break

Priests & Deacons aka reverends, pastors, & fathers Priests: Today’s Presbyters Deacons aka reverends, pastors, & fathers in charge of a single parish answers to his Bishop & the Pope transitional deacons men preparing to become priests permanent deacons are not preparing for priesthood may or may not be married both assist the bishops & the priests in the Church

Laity & Sisters/Brothers Sisters/Nuns & Brothers/Monk baptized Catholics who share in Jesus’ mission & continue his work in the community but are not ordained women and men who… live in a religious community take solemn vows poverty, chastity, & obedience

ANY QUESTIONS?

Why can’t the leaders of Church get married? They ARE supernaturally married. Priests are married to the Bride of Christ (the Church) Nuns are married to the Groom of the Church (namely Christ) They ARE NOT married to a human due to their utmost devotion to the Church and the Church community.

Reflection/Debate: Married Priests? Do you believe the men ordained and the men/women consecrated to the Church should be allowed to be married? Why/Why not?

Why can’t women be priests? an argument FOR the ordination of women: 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Paul says that there is neither Jew nor Greek, servant nor free, male nor female, since we are all in Christ

The Church’s Response taken out of context: Scripture is meant to be read as a whole, in this case the whole letter men & women were created not superior & inferior but rather different from & complementary to ONE ANOTHER what God made women to be and what He intends her to do makes her different from but not inferior to man. REMEMBER: this is not a matter of ability or who can be a better priest, man or woman a reason in Scripture: Jesus did not ordain any women. He selected all of his apostles, and none were women. if he wanted to, Mary, his Mother, would have been PERFECT (This is MY body, This is MY blood)…but he didn’t

Reflection/Debate: Women Priests? Do you believe the women should be allowed to be ordained as priests/bishops/popes? Why/Why not?

ANY QUESTIONS?