The Bishop's guide

Translated from the official version of the Curia.

The Bishop

The bishop is the appointed representative of the Pope in a given area and as such rules a diocese with the full authority of the Roman Church.

Role Playing

An important part of a bishop’s duties regards role playing and interaction with the community.

• The bishop will create a thread on the local forum for the cathedral and will request to have it set as an announcement for increased visibility.
• He will make contact with the provincial authorities (the duke and his council) and the people of his diocese to represent the Church in public affairs.
• He will preside over the duke’s inauguration that gives him legitimacy and authority.
• At all times, he shall be responsible for keeping a positive image associated with his position and with the Church.

A bishop displays the symbols of his position.

• The mitre, representing his authority.
• The crosier, which emphasizes his role as the ruler of his diocese.
• For archbishops, the pallium, a white woolen band worn over the shoulders and decorated with crosses.

Ambassador

• He obeys dogma and puts into application papal bulls and edicts.
• He sees that the Pope’s will is heeded and the sovereign power of the Holy See respected.
• He writes frequent reports for the Curia in which the matters of importance to his diocese are mentioned.
• He acts as a liaison between secular and religious powers.
• He is ranked above religious and military orders but will work with them and introduce them to his parishioners.
• He may be a candidate to provincial elections and be affiliated with a political party.

Pastoral Mission

• He must assign a priest to each parish and promote vocations.
• He shall select pious and involved priests and tutor them.
• He shall frequently visit the parishes of his diocese and provide their priests with counselling and support.
• He shall receive the requests for marriage from the parishioners, inform the local priest and register the event in the official records.
• He has the sole prerogative of granting the sacraments of the Holy Orders and confirmation.
• At his convenience, he may be assisted by canons to manage his diocese and delegate his episcopal powers.