1. Leadership Roles in the Church

2. “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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. Brain Break

10. 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

11. 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

12. ANY QUESTIONS?

13. 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.

14. 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?

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. ANY QUESTIONS?