This article is about the office in religious institutions. For other uses, see Bishop (disambiguation).
"Episcopate" redirects here. For bishops as a group, see Historical episcopate. For forms of church government by bishops, see Episcopal polity.
Part of a series on
Christianity
Jesus
Christ
Nativity
Baptism
Ministry
Crucifixion
Resurrection
Ascension
Bible
Foundations
Old Testament
New Testament
Gospel
Canon
Church
Creed
New Covenant
Theology
God
Trinity
Father
Son
Holy Spirit
Apologetics
Baptism
Christology
History of theology
Mission
Salvation
Universalism
History
Tradition
Apostles
Peter
Paul
Mary
Early Christianity
Church Fathers
Constantine
Councils
Augustine
Ignatius
East–West Schism
Crusades
Aquinas
Reformation
Luther
Denominations
(full list)
Nicene
Catholic
Latin
Eastern
Old Catholic
Independent Catholic
Eastern Orthodox
Oriental Orthodox
Church of the East
Protestant
Adventist
Anabaptist
Anglican
Baptist
Free Evangelical
Lutheran
Methodist
Moravian [Hussite]
Pentecostal
Plymouth Brethren
Quaker
Reformed
United Protestant
Waldensian
Nondenominational Christianity
Restorationist
Christadelphians
Iglesia ni Cristo
Irvingians
Jehovah's Witness
Latter Day Saints
Members Church of God International
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The New Church (Swedenborgian)
Unitarians and Universalists
Related topics
Civilization
Criticism
Culture
Ecumenism
Glossary
Index
Liturgy
Other religions
Outline
Prayer
Sermon
Symbolism
Worship
Glossary
Index
Outline
Christianity portal
v
t
e
A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of dioceses. The role or office of the bishop is called episcopacy. Organizationally, several Christian denominations utilize ecclesiastical structures that call for the position of bishops, while other denominations have dispensed with this office, seeing it as a symbol of power. Bishops have also exercised political authority within their dioceses.
Traditionally, bishops claim apostolic succession, a direct historical lineage dating back to the original Twelve Apostles or Saint Paul. The bishops are by doctrine understood as those who possess the full priesthood given by Jesus Christ, and therefore may ordain other clergy, including other bishops.[citation needed] A person ordained as a deacon, priest (i.e. presbyter), and then bishop is understood to hold the fullness of the ministerial priesthood, given responsibility by Christ to govern, teach and sanctify the Body of Christ (the Church). Priests, deacons and lay ministers co-operate and assist their bishops in pastoral ministry.
Some Pentecostal and other Protestant denominations have bishops who oversee congregations, though they do not necessarily claim apostolic succession.
A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops...
BishopBishop may refer to: William Bishop (bishop) (c. 1553–1624), Roman Catholic Vicar Apostolic of England Jim Bishop (bishop) (1908–1994), Anglican...
A suffragan bishop is a type of bishop in some Christian denominations. In the Catholic Church, a suffragan bishop leads a diocese within an ecclesiastical...
auxiliary bishop is a bishop assigned to assist the diocesan bishop in meeting the pastoral and administrative needs of the diocese. Auxiliary bishops can also...
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders and is responsible for teaching doctrine...
the senior bishop and a principal leader of the Church of England, the ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the bishop of the Diocese...
Stephen or Steve Bishop may refer to: Stephen Bishop (actor) (born 1970), American baseball player and actor Stephen Bishop (cave explorer) (1821–1857)...
Alfred or Alf Bishop may refer to: Alf Bishop (footballer, born 1886) (1886–1938), English footballer with Wolverhampton Wanderers Alf Bishop (footballer...
A coadjutor bishop (or bishop coadjutor) is a bishop in the Catholic, Anglican, and (historically) Eastern Orthodox churches whose main role is to assist...
Christopher Michael Bishop (born 7 April 1959) FRS FRSE FREng is a British computer scientist. He is a Microsoft Technical Fellow and Director of Microsoft...
Sarah Grace McLaughlin (born 18 July 1992), known professionally as Bishop Briggs, is a British-American singer and songwriter. Her single "River" peaked...
Kelly Bishop (born February 28, 1944) is an American actress and dancer, best known for her roles as matriarch Emily Gilmore on the series Gilmore Girls...
Air Marshal William Avery Bishop, VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED (8 February 1894 – 11 September 1956) was a Canadian flying ace of the First World War...
the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan (alternative obsolete form: metropolite), pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis...
Charles Bishop is the name of: Charles Reed Bishop (1822–1915), Hawaiian businessman Charles Francis Bishop (1888–1954), US Navy/Medal of Honor recipient...
John Joseph Bishop (born 30 November 1966) is an English comedian, presenter, actor and former semi pro footballer. Bishop formerly played football as...
Gottlieb (February 3, 1918 – October 17, 2007), known professionally as Joey Bishop, was an American entertainer who appeared on television as early as 1948...
William Bishop may refer to: William Bishop (politician) (1817–1879), Missouri State Treasurer 1865–1869 William D. Bishop (1827–1904), U.S. Representative...
William Bradford Bishop Jr. (born August 1, 1936) is a former United States Foreign Service officer who has been a fugitive from justice since killing...
Bishop Ring may refer to: Bishop's Ring, a type of atmospheric effect that causes a colored halo around the sun Bishop Ring (habitat), a theoretical type...
Nicholas Bishop (born 19 September 1973) is an English-born Australian actor. He is best known for his television roles as Detective Peter Baker on the...
Kevin Brian Bishop is a British actor, comedian and writer. He is best known for his roles as Jim Hawkins in Muppet Treasure Island, Stupid Brian in My...
Bishop score, also Bishop's score or cervix score, is a pre-labor scoring system to assist in predicting whether induction of labor will be required....
Elvin Bishop (born October 21, 1942) is an American blues and rock music singer, guitarist, bandleader, and songwriter. He was inducted into the Rock and...
Global Information
