What work does a bishop do?

Answer 1

The role of a bishop is to confirm an adult (usually teenager though) in their faith by the laying on of hands at a Confirmation service. However they head the central administration of all the churches of the area and represent that area at a Bishops conference as well To oversee a group of churches called a diocese (die-u-seez). One diocese usually covers an entire city while an arch-diocese is nomally spread over an entire region and managed by an arch-bishop. Bishops also bless holy oils and waters used by his churches for the span of a year, confirm eligable confirmandi at individual churches, and take part in special celebrations held by his churches. I hope that answers your day. Stay faithful and Godspeed to all.
The role of bishops within various Christian denominations is to provide oversight, supervision, direction and leadership for the believers.

In the Catholic Church a Diocesan Bishop confirms, ordains Priests, administers a diocese, preaches the Holy Gospel, performs visitations of monasteries, convents, and seminaries, instructs the faithful in sound doctrine, and performs other Priestly duties as well.

An auxiliary Bishop of a diocese does whatever work he is instructed to do by his diocesan ordinary (the Bishop of the Diocese).

Bishops directly in the service of the Holy See serve in the offices of the Roman Curia, oversee certain Apostolic works, or can be employed in diplomatic service, such as Nuncios of the Holy See to various countries.

In other denominations the roles of the bishops are similar to those outlined above, although the areas of jurisdiction and the terminology may differ slightly.

Bishops in the Bible

The modern English word 'bishop' is from Old English 'biscop', from Latin episcopus, from the Greek episcopos, (επίσκοπος) the word used in early Greek texts of the New Testament. (Philippians 1:1; 1 Tim 3:1,2; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet 2:25)

• The root '-scope' means to look, watch or see. (e.g. microscope, telescope)
• The prefix 'epi-' means over (as in epidermis, epiglottis).

So the biblical episcopos is an overseer (over + seer), a person who supervises or watches over a group of believers.

In The Bible the terms 'bishop' (i.e. 'overseer') and 'elder' of the church appear to be synonymous. Compare Acts 14:23 and Titus 1 verses 5, 6 and 7.

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It depends upon the sect of Christianity. The Bible defines 'overseer' or bishop:

1 Timothy 3:1-6New King James Version (NKJV) Qualifications of Overseers3 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the samecondemnation as the devil.

Answer 2

A Bishop has a dual role - that of his orders and that of his position.

Bishops are the highest of three ordained ministries in both the Roman Catholic Church and in the Church or England (the others being priests and deacons). A bishop can perform the duties of a deacon (such as preaching, pastoral work, leading worship etc) and a priest (eg giving God's blessing and the absolution, and presiding at the mass/Holy Communion) but in addition a bishop can confirm people in their faith by invoking the Holy Spirit, and also ordain other deacons and priests, and consectrate other bishops.

In his position, the bishop has oversight of a group of parishes called a diocese. His oversight includes the wellbeing of the churches, pastoral care of clergy, leadership, teaching and so on. His church from where he carries out his duty houses his throne or 'cathedra' - hence the main church of the diocese is called the Cathedral.

In the Roman Catholic Church bishops are appointed by the Church heirarchy, with the pope being directly responsible. In the Churchof England bishops are appointed by the government advising the Queen who officially appoints them, as she acts as supreme governor under Christ of the Church of England by her position as monarch.

Answer 3

Duties of a diocesan bishop are to "teach, sanctify and govern": that is, to oversee preaching of the Gospel and Catholic education in all its forms; to oversee and provide for the administration of the sacraments; and to legislate, administer and act as judge for Canon Law within his diocese. He serves as the spiritual leader of the diocese and has responsibility for the pastoral care of all Catholics living within his ecclesiastical and ritual jurisdiction.He is obliged to celebrate Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation with the intention of praying for those in his care, assign clergy to their posts in various institutions and oversee finances. A bishop is to have a special concern for priests, listening to them, using them as counsellors, ensuring that they are adequately provided for in every way, and defending their rights enshrined in Canon Law. Latin Catholic bishops also must make regular ad limina visits to the Holy See every five years. Only a bishop possesses the power to confer the sacrament of Holy Orders.

Answer 4

A bishop serves as a general superintendent for the church, assigned to a geographical area. There is no set period of time for service as a bishop, but bishops generally serve for approximately five years.

Answer 5

A Bishop carries a staff called a crosier. It's a symbol of his authority and shaped like a shepherd's crook as he is symbolically the shepherd of his flock.

Answer 6

A staff called a crozier.