Church terminology

Bishop

A priest chosen by the diocese to be ordained as bishop and to have authority and pastoral care of the diocese. In the House of Bishops, all Canadian bishops meet to discuss issues and concerns, and to formulate guidelines governing the life of the Church. A coadjutor bishop is one who will become the next diocesan bishop upon the retirement of the present bishop. Suffragan, assistant and area bishops assist the diocesan bishop and may have responsibility for a particular area of the diocese, but don’t automatically become the next diocesan bishop.