bishop
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
|
2000
|
|
© The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church 2000, originally published by Oxford University Press 2000. (Hide copyright information)
Copyright
bishop. The highest order of ministers in the Christian Church. In Catholic Christendom (including the
Anglican Communion) bishops are the chief pastors, who individually form a centre of unity in their
dioceses and together embody the unity of the Church, and, by their consecration and power to confer
Orders, witness to the succession of the Church throughout the ages. They normally receive consecration at the hands of a
Metropolitan and two other bishops, and are consecrated to rule a particular diocese in that Metropolitan's
province. In the RC Church the election of a bishop is performed by the Pope. Elsewhere a bishop is usually elected by the
dean and
chapter of the
cathedral of the diocese or some other ecclesiastical body existing for the purpose. In the C of E the
Crown Appointments Committee submits two names to the Prime Minister, who recommends one to the Sovereign; the Sovereign then gives leave to the College of Canons to elect, and nominates the person to be elected. The candidate must be of mature age (30 years in the C of E), have spent a certain period in priest's orders, and be of good character and sound doctrine. The chief duties of a bishop in the W. Church consist in the general oversight of his diocese, in the leadership of his clergy and laity, and in administering those Sacraments which he alone is competent to confer (
Confirmation and Orders). Diocesan bishops may be assisted by other bishops known as
suffragans, auxiliaries, coadjutors, or assistants. In the E. Church the position is similar, except that bishops, unlike other priests, are required to be unmarried (or widowed). From medieval times English bishops have had a seat in the House of Lords, but since 1878 only 26 English bishops have enjoyed this privilege. The number is likely to be reduced. The traditional insignia of a bishop include the throne in his cathedral (
cathedra),
mitre,
pastoral staff,
pectoral cross, and
ring.
The beginnings of the episcopate have long been debated. It seems that at first the terms ‘episcopos’ and ‘presbyter’ were used interchangeably (cf. e.g. Acts 20: 17 and 20: 28). But for
Ignatius (early 2nd cent.) bishops, presbyters, and deacons are quite distinct. By the middle of the 2nd cent. the leading centres of Christianity would appear to have had their own bishops and until the Reformation Christianity was everywhere organized on an episcopal basis. After the Reformation the title of bishop was retained in some
Lutheran Churches, but it usually implied no claim to
apostolic succession or any of the peculiar powers deriving therefrom. It is also similarly used in the
Methodist Episcopal Churches in America and Africa.
See also
APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION.
Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.
|
Genetic Engineering
Dictionary entry from: Dictionary of American History
GENETIC ENGINEERING GENETIC ENGINEERING is the deliberate manipulation of an organism's genetic makeup to achieve a planned and desired result. Proponents of genetic engineering consider it an extension of the selective breeding practiced for...
|
|
Genetics and Genetic Engineering
Book article from: The Oxford Companion to United States History
Genetics and Genetic Engineering. The second half of the twentieth...of relatively recent stamp, genetic engineering of the old‐fashioned...skill loosely called “genetic engineering.” In 1973, Stanley...
|
|
genetic engineering
Book article from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
genetic engineering the use of various methods to manipulate...toxins that act as pesticides. Genetic engineering techniques have also been used...Environmental Protection Agency. Because genetic engineering involves techniques used to obtain...
|
|
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, History of
Book article from: Genetics
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, History of The term "biotechnology...to milk to produce yogurt. Genetic Engineering versus Biotechnology For many...manipulation, the term "genetic engineering" is more appropriate. Genetic...
|
|
Genetic Engineer
Book article from: Plant Sciences
...centers. The greatest amount of genetic engineering takes place in the United...However, because plant genetic engineering is taking place in many places...vocal groups of opponents to genetic engineering technology claim that genetic...
|