Is Romney a bishop in his church?

Answer 1

Mitt Romney served as a Bishop (congregational leader) and a Stake President (leader of a group of congregations) in Massachusetts in the 1990's. Mormon Bishops and Stake Presidents usually serve for a period of three to seven years, because the position demands 20-30 hours each week and is entirely unpaid. There is no campaigning or applying for these positions, they are rotated and assigned by higher church leadership.

Answer 2

Within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church), nearly all men over age 18 are ordained Elders. So yes, Mitt Romney is an ordained Elder within the Mormon Church, and has been since he was 18 or 19 years old.

Mitt Romney served as a Bishop (congregation leader, similar to a pastor) in Massachusetts for several years in the 1990's. The role of Bishop is rotated through the adult men in the congregation and assigned by regional church leaders. It is estimated that at least half of all Mormon men will serve as either a Bishop or a Bishop's counselor (similar to an assistant pastor) in their lifetime. Being a Bishop requires devoting 20-30 hours a week to providing service and counsel to the congregation. Bishops are not paid for their service and must work their normal full-time job in order to provide for their families. Following a period of about 5 years, a Bishop is replaced with another man from the congregation.

The Mormon church has a lay clergy. All practicing Mormon men are ordained to the priesthood beginning at age 12, when they become Deacons. (They are ordained Priests at age 16 and Elders at 18-20). Anyone who is ordained an Elder has the authority to preach, baptize, ordain, etc. (Women also preach and teach with no ordination) Responsibilities (teaching classes, providing music, etc) are rotated through the congregation and are done entirely free of charge.

In short, yes. Mitt Romney was ordained an Elder about 45 years ago, and was a bishop 15-20 years ago. However, this is nothing unique in Mormonism, most Mormon men are Elders and most will serve as Bishops at some point.