Bishop facts for kids
A bishop is an important leader in many Christian churches. Think of them as a special kind of clergy member. Bishops guide the Christians and priests in a specific area. This area is called a diocese. The word episcopal is used to describe things related to bishops.
The main church for a bishop is called a cathedral. This is where the bishop has a special seat, or "throne." The cathedral is the most important church in the diocese. Sometimes, a bishop might become an archbishop. An archbishop leads an even larger area called an archdiocese.
In some Christian groups, only bishops can make new priests. This means bishops are higher up than regular parish priests in the church's structure. However, not all Christian groups have bishops. For example, some Protestant churches, like Presbyterianism, do not have bishops. The Church of Scotland is led by a "Moderator" who is chosen each year. Other groups, like Quakers, do not have bishops or even priests.
Bishops in the Catholic Church
In the Catholic church, the Pope is the highest leader. The Pope is also known as 'the Bishop of Rome'. He leads an independent state called the Vatican within Rome. All Roman Catholic bishops report to the Pope. In some Orthodox churches, bishops answer to leaders called patriarchs.
In the Anglican church, bishops are guided by Archbishops. You can often spot a bishop by their special pointed hat, called a mitre.
The Word "Bishop"
The English word bishop comes from a very old Greek word. That word was epískopos, which means "overseer." Greek was the language used by early Christians. But the word epískopos was used even before Christianity. It later changed into the Latin word episcopus. From there, it became biscop in Old English and then bisshop in Middle English. Finally, it became the word bishop we use today.
In the early days of Christianity, the word epískopos was sometimes used like presbýteros. Presbýteros means "elder" or "senior." This is where the modern English word priest comes from.
Related Pages
Images for kids
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A 6th-century image of Saint Augustine, bishop of Hippo Regius.
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Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, a student of John the Apostle.
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A bishop performing Confirmation. This painting is from the 15th century.
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Danish Lutheran bishops wearing special clothes.
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Only a consecrated bishop can make new priests.
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Katharine Jefferts Schori, a presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church (United States).
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Mikael Agricola (1510–1557), a Finnish Lutheran clergyman and the Bishop of Turku.
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United Methodist Episcopal Shield.
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Francis Asbury becoming a bishop in 1784.
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Eastern Rite Catholic bishops celebrating a Divine Liturgy.
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An Anglican bishop with a crosier, wearing special church clothes.
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An Episcopal bishop before a service in Boise, Idaho.
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A Catholic bishop dressed for the Sacrifice of the Mass.
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See also
In Spanish: Obispo para niños
