Bishop

literally an overseer, from the Greek episcopus. In the Greek, the Catholic, and the Episcopal churches, the name is given to those priests of the highest order who are held to be the successors of the twelve apostles. In Russia the bishops are appointed by the czar who is the head of the church. In Catholic countries the practice varies. The bishops are named, however, either directly by the pope, or by an agreement between the pope and sovereign. In the Church of England bishops are named by the sovereign. Of twenty-eight English bishops twenty-six are entitled to a seat in the House of Lords. In the United States the title is used in the Catholic, Episcopal, and Methodist churches. In general the bishop is supposed to travel and visit the various churches in his charge, examining into and settling difficulties, confirming members, and advancing the interests of his congregations. His home church in which he has a pulpit, a chair, or cathedra, is called a cathedral. See Archbishop