The parish priest, also called a pastor, is next in the Church hierarchy after the vicar general. Pastors are appointed by the bishop and represent the bishop to a local parish-a relatively small area inside the diocese. A pastor is assisted by a parochial vicar (formerly called a curate) and sometimes by an associate deacon, religuous sister or lay parishoner as a pastoral associate.
The parish council, which usually consists of laypeople (ordinary churchgoers), advise and counsel the priest but don't have any administrative power. This is different from many Protestant church councils, which have the power to select and fire their pastor.
Priests (especially those in Europe and North America) are expected to obtain a graduate, post-graduate, or doctoral degree and are then supposed to spend an additional 4-12 years in a seminary, a special school that teaches theology. Most priests hold at least a master's degree in either divinity or theology, while many have doctorates or other higher academic degrees.
Besides theological learning, seminarians also train to be priests by apostolates, which are short assignments in parishes, nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, or some other ministry. The purpose of apostolates is to unite pastoral training with philosophical and theological education.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Vicar General
Vicar generals are not military officers, but priests who serve as second in command of a diocese and are appointed by the local bishop to help him govern his region. Sometimes, episcopal vicars are appoited to head certain areas, such as vocations, personnel, community outreach, and so on. In exceptionally large dioceses, such as New York, vicars general often act as de facto auxiliary bishops, meaning that they can fulfill some of the offices of a bishop.
These priests can be given the honorary title of monsignor. There is no extra authority or salary granted with this title. A monsignor can be recognized by the color of his cassock (a long, close-fitting garment worn by clerics). Monsignor is an honorary title that the pope bestows at the request of the local bishop. There are 3 different forms:
Papal Chamberlain: Also known as Chaplain of His Holiness, the lowest ranking of the monsignor title. They can be recognized by their black cassocks with purple buttons and trim.
Domestic Prelate: These monsignors are known as Honorary Prelates of His Holiness. They wear purple or black cassocks with red buttons and trim.
Prothonotary Apostolic: This is the highest-ranking monsignor. They wear a purple ferraiolone, which is a silk cape draped over the cassock.
Prior to the Second Vatican Council, the requirements for each rank were very specific and would be associated with certain duties. After 1969, the divisions became a bit more blurry, and less job-specific. The differences today between the titles are complicated and difficult to explain in a blog post. Someone is welcome to try in the comments section below.
These priests can be given the honorary title of monsignor. There is no extra authority or salary granted with this title. A monsignor can be recognized by the color of his cassock (a long, close-fitting garment worn by clerics). Monsignor is an honorary title that the pope bestows at the request of the local bishop. There are 3 different forms:
Papal Chamberlain: Also known as Chaplain of His Holiness, the lowest ranking of the monsignor title. They can be recognized by their black cassocks with purple buttons and trim.
Domestic Prelate: These monsignors are known as Honorary Prelates of His Holiness. They wear purple or black cassocks with red buttons and trim.
Prothonotary Apostolic: This is the highest-ranking monsignor. They wear a purple ferraiolone, which is a silk cape draped over the cassock.
Prior to the Second Vatican Council, the requirements for each rank were very specific and would be associated with certain duties. After 1969, the divisions became a bit more blurry, and less job-specific. The differences today between the titles are complicated and difficult to explain in a blog post. Someone is welcome to try in the comments section below.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sunday Off-Topic: Popes Throughout History
Every Introduction course always has its off-topic tangents, and Catholicism 101 is no different. On Sundays, we'll delve into some aspects of Catholicism that we might not otherwise get to. These areas are kind of up to my whim, but they will usually focus on unusual parts of Catholicism.
Catholicism regards St. Peter as the first pope, selected by Jesus himself according to the Gospel of St. Matthew (16:18), when Jesus said "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I shall build my Church." If you count St. Peter as the first pope, then Benedict XVI is the 266th pope (or the 265th successor of St. Peter, depending on how you keep track). And you thought it was hard to remember U.S. Presidents.
There are some colorful and diverse characters among those 266 men. 78 are cannonized as saints, and 10 more are beatified, which is one step short of sainthood. In other words, about a third of the papacy has been exceptionally good. Of the rest, there are only 12 who are considered to have been corrupt or morally evil.
Although one bad pope is too many, keep in mind that no pope is perfect. Even the men handpicked by Jesus to be his original 12 apostles were imperfect sinners. The first pope, St. Peter, lied about knowing Jesus on three seperate occasions in order to protect himself, and Judas (one of Jesus's first bishops) betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver. One repented, while the other hanged himself instead of seeking forgiveness.
The dubious honor of "worst pope ever" probably belongs to Alexander VI (1492-1503). If you are a student of European history, all you need to know is that he was a Borgia. For the rest of us, Alexander was a member of the Borgia family (a notorious clan of Italians who had a lot of influence during the Rennaisance). Pope Alexander VI had several illegitimate children before and during his reign as pope-two of whom grew up to lead their own infamous lives: Cesare Borgia grew up to be a ruthless aristocrat, and his sister, Lucretia Borgia, will forever have her name associated among the famous poisoners of history. Alexander VI's reign was the height of nepotism, bribery, deceit, debauchery, and everything else you can imagine (And, not coincidentally, occuring about the same time as the Protestant Reformation). The Borgias were the Sopranos of the Rennaisance. Before we completely dishonor the family, however, it should be noted that one member-St. Francis Borgia-was much respected as a humble servant of God in his own time.
Benedict IX (1032-45) is probably a close second-worst ever. Assuming the throne of St. Peter in his late teens, the playboy pope incited a riot in Rome because of his antics. One of his contemporaries, St. Peter Damian, accused him of being "a demon of hell in the disguise of a priest." Interestingly, the modern Church calls Benedict IX "a disgrace to the Chair of Peter" but does not believe that any of his writings contradict the teachings of the Bible or the Church.
Catholicism regards St. Peter as the first pope, selected by Jesus himself according to the Gospel of St. Matthew (16:18), when Jesus said "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I shall build my Church." If you count St. Peter as the first pope, then Benedict XVI is the 266th pope (or the 265th successor of St. Peter, depending on how you keep track). And you thought it was hard to remember U.S. Presidents.
There are some colorful and diverse characters among those 266 men. 78 are cannonized as saints, and 10 more are beatified, which is one step short of sainthood. In other words, about a third of the papacy has been exceptionally good. Of the rest, there are only 12 who are considered to have been corrupt or morally evil.
Although one bad pope is too many, keep in mind that no pope is perfect. Even the men handpicked by Jesus to be his original 12 apostles were imperfect sinners. The first pope, St. Peter, lied about knowing Jesus on three seperate occasions in order to protect himself, and Judas (one of Jesus's first bishops) betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver. One repented, while the other hanged himself instead of seeking forgiveness.
The dubious honor of "worst pope ever" probably belongs to Alexander VI (1492-1503). If you are a student of European history, all you need to know is that he was a Borgia. For the rest of us, Alexander was a member of the Borgia family (a notorious clan of Italians who had a lot of influence during the Rennaisance). Pope Alexander VI had several illegitimate children before and during his reign as pope-two of whom grew up to lead their own infamous lives: Cesare Borgia grew up to be a ruthless aristocrat, and his sister, Lucretia Borgia, will forever have her name associated among the famous poisoners of history. Alexander VI's reign was the height of nepotism, bribery, deceit, debauchery, and everything else you can imagine (And, not coincidentally, occuring about the same time as the Protestant Reformation). The Borgias were the Sopranos of the Rennaisance. Before we completely dishonor the family, however, it should be noted that one member-St. Francis Borgia-was much respected as a humble servant of God in his own time.
Benedict IX (1032-45) is probably a close second-worst ever. Assuming the throne of St. Peter in his late teens, the playboy pope incited a riot in Rome because of his antics. One of his contemporaries, St. Peter Damian, accused him of being "a demon of hell in the disguise of a priest." Interestingly, the modern Church calls Benedict IX "a disgrace to the Chair of Peter" but does not believe that any of his writings contradict the teachings of the Bible or the Church.
Cathedrals
The cathedral is the center of a diocese, in the same way that the Vatican is the center for the universal Church. The cathedral is the church in the diocese where the bishop's chair resides, which is the symbol of his authority as a successor to the apostles.
Ironically, St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, where the pope celebrates Mass, isn't the pope's cathedral church. That would be St. John Lateran, which served as the pope's residence until the move to the Vatican.
Bishops usually celebrate Mass in their cathedral. The diocese's cathedral is also the location for the Chrism Mass (also known as the Mass of the Oils), where men are ordained deacons, priests, and bishops. Cathedrals hold weekly and daily Mass in the same manner as other parishes, and can also host weddings, funerals, baptisms, and the like. However, the pride of the cathedral is its Chrism Mass.
Incidently, only the bishop can sit in his cathedra (chair). If another priest celebrates Mass at the cathedral, he must use a different seat.
Ironically, St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, where the pope celebrates Mass, isn't the pope's cathedral church. That would be St. John Lateran, which served as the pope's residence until the move to the Vatican.
Bishops usually celebrate Mass in their cathedral. The diocese's cathedral is also the location for the Chrism Mass (also known as the Mass of the Oils), where men are ordained deacons, priests, and bishops. Cathedrals hold weekly and daily Mass in the same manner as other parishes, and can also host weddings, funerals, baptisms, and the like. However, the pride of the cathedral is its Chrism Mass.
Incidently, only the bishop can sit in his cathedra (chair). If another priest celebrates Mass at the cathedral, he must use a different seat.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Bishops, Archbishops, & Dioceses
Along with being the Head of the entire Catholic Church, the pope also serves as the Bishop of Rome. The pope is a bishop in the same way that others are bishops, it's just that his jurisdiction is bigger. The pope has authority over the entire world, while a bishop (who could also be an archbishop or cardinal) has jurisdiction over his diocese-an administrative territory.
Each individual bishop has his own authority, which comes from episcopal ordination and consecration. Episcopal means anything that has to do with a bishop, in the same way papal refers to the pope. Episcopal ordination and consecration is the sacrament by which a priest becomes a bishop. It is the third and highest level of the Sacrament of Holy Orders (1st level is the ordination of a deacon, the 2nd is ordination of a priest). Three bishops lay hands on the priest being ordained bishop, and his head his annointed with Chrism Oil.
A bishop runs a diocese. He does not serve as the Pope's ambassador, but governs his province as a successor to the apostles, in the same way that the Pope is a successor to St. Peter. The pope appoints the bishops, and they are required to make a trip to Rome every 5 years to report on their diocese. The rest of a bishop's time consists of ordaining deacons and priests, and confirming new Catholics. Only Bishops have the power to administer the Sacrament of Holy Orders, which ordains men as deacons, priests, or bishops. A bishop will also visit the parishes in his diocese, and serve as the head administrator in matters of business.
A local diocese consists of a collection of parishes, much like a state contains different counties. Dioceses can be large or small geographically. The entire state of South Carolina falls under the Diocese of Charleston, while New Jersey (similar in size) consists of 5 dioceses.
An archbishop runs a large diocese, known as an archdiocese. In the United States, there is an archbishop given authority in Newark, San Francisco, Denver, Hartford, Miami, St. Louis, and Omaha. Sometimes, the archdiocese is headed by a cardinal, which is the case in Philadelphia, New York, Washington, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Detroit. Cardinals are the level right below pope and, when they're not meeting in Rome, spend much of their time in their respective archdioceses.
All the bishops from a country will get together at least once a year for what's called an episcopal conference. American bishops are part of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Canadian ones to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), and British ones to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW).
Each individual bishop has his own authority, which comes from episcopal ordination and consecration. Episcopal means anything that has to do with a bishop, in the same way papal refers to the pope. Episcopal ordination and consecration is the sacrament by which a priest becomes a bishop. It is the third and highest level of the Sacrament of Holy Orders (1st level is the ordination of a deacon, the 2nd is ordination of a priest). Three bishops lay hands on the priest being ordained bishop, and his head his annointed with Chrism Oil.
A bishop runs a diocese. He does not serve as the Pope's ambassador, but governs his province as a successor to the apostles, in the same way that the Pope is a successor to St. Peter. The pope appoints the bishops, and they are required to make a trip to Rome every 5 years to report on their diocese. The rest of a bishop's time consists of ordaining deacons and priests, and confirming new Catholics. Only Bishops have the power to administer the Sacrament of Holy Orders, which ordains men as deacons, priests, or bishops. A bishop will also visit the parishes in his diocese, and serve as the head administrator in matters of business.
A local diocese consists of a collection of parishes, much like a state contains different counties. Dioceses can be large or small geographically. The entire state of South Carolina falls under the Diocese of Charleston, while New Jersey (similar in size) consists of 5 dioceses.
An archbishop runs a large diocese, known as an archdiocese. In the United States, there is an archbishop given authority in Newark, San Francisco, Denver, Hartford, Miami, St. Louis, and Omaha. Sometimes, the archdiocese is headed by a cardinal, which is the case in Philadelphia, New York, Washington, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Detroit. Cardinals are the level right below pope and, when they're not meeting in Rome, spend much of their time in their respective archdioceses.
All the bishops from a country will get together at least once a year for what's called an episcopal conference. American bishops are part of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Canadian ones to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), and British ones to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW).
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Next in the Rankings: Cardinals
Since the Catholic Church has more than a billion members worldwide, there are many layers under the pope who keep the system working. The levels go like this: Pope-cardinals-archbishop/bishop, vicar generals, monsignors, and priests. The rest of the Church consists of deacons, monks, nuns, brothers, sisters, and laypeople. Even though they are at the bottom, laypeople consist of 99.9 percent of the Church.
Although their primary responsibility is to elect the pope, cardinals have many other administrative responsibilities as well. The Roman Curia is the entire group of administrators that head up departments working together as the right hand of the pope. The pope governs the Church through the Curia, much like a U.S. President uses his cabinet. For example, a Cardinal Secretary of State represents the Holy See to foreign governments, since the Vatican is an independent country. A cardinal also heads each congregation, such as the Congregation for Bishops or the Congregation for Catholic Education. Overall, other Congregations include: Causes of the Saints, Clergy, Divine Worship, Evangelization of Peoples, Institutes of Consecrated Life, and Oriental Churches.
A different cardinal heads up each of several councils and commissions, along with the three high courts of the Catholic Church: the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Apostolic Signaturia, and the Roman Rota, all of which deal with canon law and its application and interpretation.
Cardinals that don't work in the Curia will run an archdiocese, mostly functioning the way an archbishop would-ordaining, confirming, and running the day-to-day business of being head of an archdiocese. These cardinals are often the metropolitans, which means that they supervise a group of two or more dioceses. A metropolitan doesn't have immediate authority over a bishop in the diocese under him, even though he oversees the region.
A metropolitan reports to Rome, however, if one of the bishops in his province is derelict in his duty or some commits some other scandalous behavior. Often, the apostolic nuncio, the papal ambassador to a country, will consult with the cardinal when vacancies arise in his province as the result of a bishop retiring or dying. For example, the Archdiocese of Atlanta oversees the diocese of Charleston (consisting of all of South Carolina), along with other dioceses in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
Although their primary responsibility is to elect the pope, cardinals have many other administrative responsibilities as well. The Roman Curia is the entire group of administrators that head up departments working together as the right hand of the pope. The pope governs the Church through the Curia, much like a U.S. President uses his cabinet. For example, a Cardinal Secretary of State represents the Holy See to foreign governments, since the Vatican is an independent country. A cardinal also heads each congregation, such as the Congregation for Bishops or the Congregation for Catholic Education. Overall, other Congregations include: Causes of the Saints, Clergy, Divine Worship, Evangelization of Peoples, Institutes of Consecrated Life, and Oriental Churches.
A different cardinal heads up each of several councils and commissions, along with the three high courts of the Catholic Church: the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Apostolic Signaturia, and the Roman Rota, all of which deal with canon law and its application and interpretation.
Cardinals that don't work in the Curia will run an archdiocese, mostly functioning the way an archbishop would-ordaining, confirming, and running the day-to-day business of being head of an archdiocese. These cardinals are often the metropolitans, which means that they supervise a group of two or more dioceses. A metropolitan doesn't have immediate authority over a bishop in the diocese under him, even though he oversees the region.
A metropolitan reports to Rome, however, if one of the bishops in his province is derelict in his duty or some commits some other scandalous behavior. Often, the apostolic nuncio, the papal ambassador to a country, will consult with the cardinal when vacancies arise in his province as the result of a bishop retiring or dying. For example, the Archdiocese of Atlanta oversees the diocese of Charleston (consisting of all of South Carolina), along with other dioceses in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Vatican
The home of the pope is Vatican City, which has been recognized as an independent state since the Lateran Agreement of 1929. The Vatican consists of 109 acres in the middle of Rome, and is home to about 1,000 people. Roman persecution of Christians stopped in 313 A.D., when Emperor Constantine legally recognized the religion with the Edict of Milan. In 321, Constantine went even further, donating the imperial property of Lateran Palace to the Bishop of Rome, along with several other parcels of property that the Romans had taken from the Church in the preceding centuries.
These donations ceased around 600 A.D., but 150 years later King Pepin of the Franks gave the Pope Central Italy to govern (about 16,000 square miles). From 754-1870, the Vatican was part of the Papal States, also called the Patrimony of St. Peter. During the unification of the Italian penninsula, Giuseppe Garibaldi seized the Papal States in order to create present day Italy. This marked the end of any sort of secular rule by the Bishop of Rome. The pope of the time, Pius IX, while supportive of a united Italy, was opposed to Garibaldi and King Victor Emmanuel because of their anti-religion, secular politics.
Today, the Vatican is the smallest country in the world yet, ironically, has the most foreign embassies of any nation on Earth. Marconi (the man who invented radio) created a personal broadcast system for Pope Pius XI, and Vatican Radio launched in 1931. In addition to radio, the Vatican also broadcasts a television station and over the Internet.
Besides the Pope, the only real citizens of the Vatican are the various diplomats and officials who work for the Holy See. These diplomats consist of both clergy and laity and hail from countries all over the world. They hold dual citizenships with both the Vatican and their home nations. Dating from their mission to Rome in 1507, about 107 Swiss Guards protect the pope wearing colorful, ceremonial garb. There are also additional plainclothes officers in the Swiss Guard who use modern equipment to keep an eye on those who visit the Holy Father, especially after the 1981 assasination attempt on John Paul II.
These donations ceased around 600 A.D., but 150 years later King Pepin of the Franks gave the Pope Central Italy to govern (about 16,000 square miles). From 754-1870, the Vatican was part of the Papal States, also called the Patrimony of St. Peter. During the unification of the Italian penninsula, Giuseppe Garibaldi seized the Papal States in order to create present day Italy. This marked the end of any sort of secular rule by the Bishop of Rome. The pope of the time, Pius IX, while supportive of a united Italy, was opposed to Garibaldi and King Victor Emmanuel because of their anti-religion, secular politics.
Today, the Vatican is the smallest country in the world yet, ironically, has the most foreign embassies of any nation on Earth. Marconi (the man who invented radio) created a personal broadcast system for Pope Pius XI, and Vatican Radio launched in 1931. In addition to radio, the Vatican also broadcasts a television station and over the Internet.
Besides the Pope, the only real citizens of the Vatican are the various diplomats and officials who work for the Holy See. These diplomats consist of both clergy and laity and hail from countries all over the world. They hold dual citizenships with both the Vatican and their home nations. Dating from their mission to Rome in 1507, about 107 Swiss Guards protect the pope wearing colorful, ceremonial garb. There are also additional plainclothes officers in the Swiss Guard who use modern equipment to keep an eye on those who visit the Holy Father, especially after the 1981 assasination attempt on John Paul II.
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