What is the difference between a dean and a bishop?

Answer 1

When someone is ordained there are three 'orders' to which they are ordained: deacon, priest and bishop. Deacons are authorised to preach and take services, but cannot preside at the communion service where the bread and wine are consecrated, nor can they give God's blessing or absolution to a congregation. These roles are performed by a priest (who is also authorised to cover the role of deacon also). The roles of 'vicar' rector' and so on are all administrative. A vicar is a priest who has oversight of an area called a parish. A bishop, being the third order, is authorised to cover the work of a deacon and priest, but in addition he or she can confirm someone (confirmation is a re-affirmation of someone's vows given on their behalf at infant baptism), and can also ordain another priest or deacon, or, with other bishops, are authorised to consecrate a new bishop. Bishops oversee many parishes brought into an area called a diocese. In the Uk, dioceses are usually county-sized, although some in other countries are much larger. Each diocese has a cathedral - a large church building in which the Cathedra is placed - or Bishop's Throne - the official chair where the bishop sits. Most cathedrals are large, opulent buildings, but even a garden shed would have to be designated a cathedral if it housed the Bishop's Throne! The Bishop's role is the overseer of the diocese, not the cathedral. He or she is the 'shepherd' of the 'flock' - i.e. the people within that diocese - and hence he carries a ceremonial shepherd's crook as a reminder of that role. The cathedral church, however, still has to have a vicar - a priest who is in charge of the running of that cathedral church. This is the dean. A dean is a priest who is the 'vicar' of the cathedral, and has sole responsibility of the running of that cathedral. usually what he says goes - and not even the Bishop can overrule him in decisions made about the cathedral, alkthough the bishop can overrule him in matters pertaining to the diocese.

Answer 2

Parishes are joined together to make dioces or 'sees' presided over by a bishop. A bishop is a higher order of priest who will have several priests under him. A Bishop also has the authority to Ordain men to the Diaconate, Deacons to the Priesthood, and Priests to the Episcopate. Where as Priests cannot Ordain at all.

Answer 3

I would suggest that a Minister administers to the needs of his flock, whereas as Bishop is one who the Minister reports to. However in certain religions both have the same authority and equal in their duties. Perhaps we need to remember the line "What's in a name?"

Answer 4

They are both leaders in Religious Communities. The words have different meanings in different churches and faith groups. Bishops are usually senior to Pastors although most if not all Bishops probably also consider themselves to be a Pastor.

A pastor is more active in care of individuals and a bishop more active as a leader of a larger group of church people.

Answer 5

Catholic Answer:An Archbishop has a larger Diocese to control, but he does not have authority over other Bishops except those placed as "assistant Bishops" in his Diocese.

Anglican Answer:

Bishops have jurisdiction over an area known as a diocese. However, Archbishops have jurisdiction over a Province, made of several dioceses. In the Church of England, for example, there are two provinces based at York and Canterbury, each with its own archbishop. All the dioceses in the north of England - with their respective bishops - come under the jurisdiction of York, while those in the south come under Canterbury.

Answer 6

Bishops are the primary clergy, administering all sacraments and governing the church. Deacons play a non-sacramental and assisting role in the liturgy. .......... love you //)?h

Answer 7

A bishop is basically a pastor or priest, but at a higher level of authority.