1. The Church as Institution
The Living Church
The Church as Institution

2. Leadership
As with any organization the Church needs clear and well defined leadership
Church leadership is a visible and hierarchical structure
Provided primarily through the clergy
Through Holy Orders, use Christ’s authority
Govern, teach and sanctify the Church
Make Christ present to us through the Sacraments
Giving service to the Body of Christ
Ordained ministers of the church
Pope
Bishops
Priests
Deacons

3. The Church and the Hierarchy
The Church consists of two interconnected groups
Laity
All members of the Church except ordained and consecrated persons
Hierarchy
The Apostles and their successors
Pope, Bishops
Priests and Deacons
No one group is more important than another, all members are equal in dignity but called to different roles and ministries

4. Hierarchical Leadership
Divine Authority and Service
Only Bishops confer the degrees of Holy Orders
Instituted by Jesus and makes Jesus present in the church through the Sacraments
Established bishops as successors to the apostles and the Pope the successor of Peter
Given Christ’s own authority to govern, teach and provide pastoral care for the Body of Christ
Not to be expressed in a domineering fashion, given power to serve others not “Lord over” them
Pope; the Bishop who has supreme authority over the whole Church
Bishops; whose authority comes from union with the Pope
Priests; co-workers with the Bishops
Deacons; lowest level of the hierarchy

5. Organizational Structure
Holy See
The seat of the central administration of the Church under the leadership of the Pope, Bishop of Rome. An overwhelming position if not for the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Diocese
A certain geographical area governed by a bishop. These diocese form the universal Church. (A very large diocese may be called an archdiocese and its leader an archbishop)
Parish
A small community within a diocese. The bishop appoints one or more priests to service the parish.
Family
First teacher of the faith and the “community” where it is first practiced; called the domestic church

6. The Pope Successor of St. Peter. (Petrine Succession)
Jesus gave Peter the “Keys of power”, the authority to govern
The Bishop of Rome
Rome had been established as the spiritual center of the Church
Almost all Popes since Peter have lived in Rome
Head of the College of Bishops
All bishops are united with each other with the pope as their head
Has the authority to appoint bishops throughout the world
Vicar of Christ
He acts for Christ as his human representative on earth
The visible sign of Christ’s presence on earth
Guarantee of the unity of the church
Seen as a model of guidance and inspiration

7. Bishops (Episcopacy)
Task of teaching, sanctifying and governing the Church
Sets guidelines and procedures
Helps the people reach their goal of salvation
Special concern for social justice issues
12 Apostles= a group or “college” with Peter as the head
Entrusted with passing down apostolic tradition
Archbishop presides over meetings in his province
Collegial relationship
Cardinal serves as a member of the body that elects the Pope
Bishop sanctifies by celebrating the sacraments some of which are particular to this ministry
Confirmation
Holy Orders

8. Priesthood (Presbytery)
Bishops share their authority with the priests, gives priests authority over a specific parish.
Represents Christ to the community, serving in the name and in the person of Jesus within the community
Sacramental minister
Oversee religious education in the parish
Visit the sick
Oversee parish work
Acts as Christ’s representative in the Eucharist

9. Diaconate
Primary role of the deacon is to be of service to the Church and to the world
Serve in the ministry of the Word
Church worship
Pastoral governance
Acts of charity
Responsible to the bishop
History of the Diaconate
Apostles selected seven men to assist them
Life of service
Baptism
Matrimony
Life of holiness
Over the centuries there has been a change in the ministry
Step to the priesthood
Permanent deacon

10. Hierarchy Papacy Pope Holy See Bishop Diocese Episcopacy
Presbytery
Diaconate
Pope
Bishop
Priest (Deacon)
Head of House
Holy See
Diocese
Parish
Domestic Church

11. Review Questions (pg 167)
What does it mean to say that the Church is hierarchical? Why is it necessary for the Church to be hierarchical?
In what way are the Holy See, the diocese, the parish, and the family related in the hierarchy?
In what way is the Pope the visible sign of the Church’s unity?
In what way is the Pope the successor to Peter?
In what specific ways does a bishop sanctify the Church?
What are some examples of the collegial nature of the bishops?
Describe the relationship between a bishop and a priest.
Describe the responsibilities of a priest.
Explain what a deacon is and describe three of his primary areas of service.

12. What does it mean to say that the Church is hierarchical
What does it mean to say that the Church is hierarchical? Why is it necessary for the Church to be hierarchical?
The Church is hierarchical because her leaders and institutions are organized in a specific order instituted by Christ himself. This structure does not mean that anyone is more important than another. But the Church, like any group, needs organized leadership to avoid chaos. In particular, the Church’s leadership, as instituted by Christ, is necessary to make him present through the Sacraments.
In what way are the Holy See, the diocese, the parish, and the family related in the hierarchy?
The Holy See is the central administration of the entire Catholic Church, under the leadership of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. The Holy See is the foremost diocese, or seat of a bishop. The universal Church is a communion of dioceses, which cover certain geographic areas and are governed by bishops. Parishes are distinct communities within a diocese, cared for by priests appointed by the diocesan bishop. Finally, the family is the domestic church, the most basic level of the Church.

13. In what way is the Pope the visible sign of the Church’s unity?
The Pope is the visible sign of the Church’s unity as the Vicar (or agent) of Christ, the visible and juridical head of the Church and visible sign of Christ’s presence on earth. He guarantees the Church’s unity in its beliefs, Sacraments, and authority derived from Peter and the Apostles. Christ has given him full, supreme, and universal power over the entire Church.
In what way is the Pope the successor to Peter?
Just as the bishops are the successors of the Apostles, the Pope is the successor to Peter, the leader of the Apostles, to whom Christ gave the authority to govern the Church. Each Pope passes down this authority to the next.
In what specific ways does a bishop sanctify the Church?
As Christ’s representative in his diocese, a bishop sanctifies the Church by overseeing the administration of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, in the diocese. The bishop grants the authority to celebrate the Sacraments to each priest in his diocese. He is also the ordinary celebrant of Confirmation in the diocese and is the only person who can ordain priests and deacons, ensuring that the Sacrament of Holy Orders continues the ministry of the Apostles.

14. What are some examples of the collegial nature of the bishops?
The bishops have a collegial relationship with one another, meaning that they equally share the responsibility and authority to make decisions affecting the Church in a particular country, geographic region, and even the world (in union with the Pope). The collegial nature of their relationship is particularly evident in Ecumenical Councils, in which the bishops gather with the Pope to engage in careful, open discussion to settle significant questions for the entire Church. They also act collegially when they meet in synods or provincial councils or gather to consecrate a new bishop.
Describe the relationship between a bishop and a priest.
A priest’s authority comes from his bishop’s authority. The priest is a coworker with the bishop in service to a particular parish. The priests of a diocese work in union with the bishop and are responsible for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the entire diocese.

15. Describe the responsibilities of a priest.
The priest represents Christ to the community through teaching, divine worship, and pastoral leadership. He has primary responsibility as a minister of the Sacraments. The parish priest also oversees religious education in the parish. He visits the sick and those in need of spiritual care, oversees parish staff, and makes sure the parish buildings are maintained. Finally, he has responsibility beyond his parish role, participating in the universal mission of the Apostles to share the Good News with the world, which he does in collegial relationship with other priests, in union with the bishop.
Explain what a deacon is and describe three of his primary areas of service.
A deacon is a man ordained for ministry and service to the Church and the world, serving in three primary areas.
They serve the liturgy as ordinary ministers of the Sacrament of Baptism; they also can bless Marriages and assist with distribution of the Eucharist.
They act in service of the Word by giving homilies, leading celebrations of the Liturgy of the Word, and filling other catechetical and teaching positions.
They act in various ministries of charity, including pastoral ministry to families, administration of church finances, and coordination of social services.