Hierarchy of Catholic Church
Basic Catholic Church Hierarchy
As you can see in the image on the left, the hierarchy of the Australian Catholic Church is divided up in 6 sections.
Laity: At the bottom is the 'Laity', this is commonly referred to as the parish or the vast majority of those not apart of the clergy or a member of a religious institute.
Deacons: Second from the bottom of the hierarchy pyramid are the Deacons, these are ministers who have devoted some sort of service towards the Church in some way.
Priests: In the middle of the pyramid is the Priests who are authorized members of the Clergy who perform sacred rituals and the liturgy of the Eucharist for members of the laity to participate in.
Bishops: Above the priests, is the Bishops; an ordained member of the Clergy entrusted with high authority and wisdom. Bishops are seen as possessing full priesthood and can ordain members of the Clergy and other bishops. They form the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.
Cardinals: a senior ecclesiastical official, normally ordained by a bishop. Collectively they are known as the College of Cardinals; they as a body have the authority to elect a new Pope in the case of death or resignation. Their duties are to attend meetings of the college and make themselves available for the Pope's requirements. Some cardinals have additional duties to run a diocese or archdiocese.
Pope: the Bishop of Rome and the worldwide leader of the international Catholic Church. Within the Church the Pope is regarded as the successor of St Peter, the Apostle. The Current Pope is Pope Benedict XVI
Laity: At the bottom is the 'Laity', this is commonly referred to as the parish or the vast majority of those not apart of the clergy or a member of a religious institute.
Deacons: Second from the bottom of the hierarchy pyramid are the Deacons, these are ministers who have devoted some sort of service towards the Church in some way.
Priests: In the middle of the pyramid is the Priests who are authorized members of the Clergy who perform sacred rituals and the liturgy of the Eucharist for members of the laity to participate in.
Bishops: Above the priests, is the Bishops; an ordained member of the Clergy entrusted with high authority and wisdom. Bishops are seen as possessing full priesthood and can ordain members of the Clergy and other bishops. They form the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.
Cardinals: a senior ecclesiastical official, normally ordained by a bishop. Collectively they are known as the College of Cardinals; they as a body have the authority to elect a new Pope in the case of death or resignation. Their duties are to attend meetings of the college and make themselves available for the Pope's requirements. Some cardinals have additional duties to run a diocese or archdiocese.
Pope: the Bishop of Rome and the worldwide leader of the international Catholic Church. Within the Church the Pope is regarded as the successor of St Peter, the Apostle. The Current Pope is Pope Benedict XVI