The structure of the Catholic Church?
(How it is structured in terms of bishops, priests, etc)
Also:
What role do the saints?
What role does the pope?
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- What is the parent hierarchy, the Catholic priest (of the Church with Pope)..?
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The hierarchy of ordained ministers of the Catholic Church reflects how Jesus and the Apostles set up the early Christian church.
There are three levels of the Order, deacon, priest and bishop.
The bishops are apostles today. Each one carries the diocese. Special types of bishop are archbishop, cardinal and pope (who leads the whole Church).
Priests are collaborators of the bishops and can lead a parish. A special title for a priest is Mgr. Priests are called presbyters in the Bible.
Deacons assist the bishop and priests in the celebration of the Eucharist, the distribution of Holy Communion, in assisting and blessing marriages, in proclaiming the Gospel and preaching, in presiding over funerals, and engage in the various ministries of charity.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2s …
+ Saints +
Catholics share the belief in the Communion of Saints with many other Christians, including Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal, Methodist and Church.
The Communion of Saints is the belief that all saints are intimately related in the Body of Christ, a family. When one dies and goes to heaven, do not go to this family.
Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints, you, me, my late grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II.
As part of this family, you can ask your family and friends living here on earth to pray for you. Or you can ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Andrew, or your deceased grandmother living in heaven to pray for you.
Prayer to the saints in heaven is simple communication, not worship.
Ask others to pray for you if your loved ones on Earth or your loved ones in heaven is always optional.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 946 et seq: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1s …
With love in Christ.
The Catholic Church has a hierarchical structure, which is based on the celestial system of things.
The pope is a bishop and the leader of the Church on earth, answerable only to God.
The bishops are priests, but also are the main "governors" of the Church, each in charge of their particular area or diocese, and each responsible for teaching the authentic Catholic faith.
The priests are appointed by the bishops to serve the people of his local parish, in particular, in various ways.
Deacons are empowered to help priests and bishops.
The saints are those who have already made it to Heaven, which have the ability to approach God himself with the requests on our behalf.
That's all.
For more answers, consider asking around this site and http://christianforums.com/forumdisplay … ….