Author Topic: Types of Bishops (Read 771 times)

Peter15and1 · « **on:** May 26, 2015, 01:06:49 PM »

My understanding is that bishops (ordinaries) head dioceses. Archbishops and metropolitans, while heading diocese of their own, also have some kind of power over the ordinaries in their jurisdiction (ecclesiastical province).

My questions are, what is the difference between an archbishop and a metropolitan, and what powers do they have over the bishops (ordinaries) in their jurisdiction?

Dolores · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2015, 03:59:16 PM »

An archbishop is the local Ordinary of an archdiocese. A metropolitan is a bishop that is also the head of a province (a collection of dioceses and/or archdioceses, as you mentioned). Archbishops and metropolitans are usually, although not always, a sort of "fused" position, so the terms often go together. For example, in the United States, all provinces are made up of a single archdiocese, headed by an archbishop/metropolitan, and then several dioceses headed by bishops.

However, that is not a strict rule worldwide. Sometimes, there are two more more archdioceses in a single province, so there will be more than one archbishop, but only one metropolitan. Additionally, sometimes there are dioceses and archdioceses that do not belong to any province, so you will have a bishop or archbishop, but no metropolitan.

I don't know what type of powers a metropolitan has over the Ordinaries in his province.

poche · « **Reply #2 on:** May 26, 2015, 10:52:21 PM »

From the Code of Canon Law;

Can. 435 A metropolitan, who is the archbishop of his diocese, presides offer an ecclesiastical province. The office of metropolitan is joined with an episcopal see determined or approved by the Roman Pontiff.

Can. 436 §1. In the suffragan dioceses, a metropolitan is competent:

1/ to exercise vigilance so that the faith and ecclesiastical discipline are observed carefully and to inform the Roman Pontiff of abuses, if there are any;

2/ to conduct a canonical visitation for a cause previously approved by the Apostolic See if a suffragan has neglected it;

3/ to designate a diocesan administrator according to the norm of cann. ⇒ 421, §2, and ⇒ 425, §3.

§2. Where circuмstances demand it, the Apostolic See can endow a metropolitan with special functions and power to be determined in particular law.

§3. The metropolitan has no other power of governance in the suffragan dioceses. He can perform sacred functions, however, as if he were a bishop in his own diocese in all churches, but he is first to inform the diocesan bishop if the church is the cathedral.

Can. 437 §1. Within three months from the reception of episcopal consecration or if he has already been consecrated, from the canonical provision, a metropolitan is obliged to request the pallium from the Roman Pontiff either personally or through a proxy. The pallium signifies the power which the metropolitan, in communion with the Roman Church, has by law in his own province.

§2. A metropolitan can use the pallium according to the norm of liturgical laws within any church of the ecclesiastical province offer which he presides, but not outside it, even if the diocesan bishop gives his assent.

§3. A metropolitan needs a new pallium if he is transferred to another metropolitan see.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P1J.HTM

Peter15and1 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2015, 08:14:43 AM »

Interesting. Thank you.