prelate
High-ranking clergyman
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy—a bishop, archbishop, cardinal, or similar ecclesiastical official with authority over a region or diocese.
The term belongs to formal or historical contexts: The prelates gathered for the council.
In Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions, prelates hold administrative and spiritual jurisdiction over lower clergy and laity.
Diocesan clergy head
- archbishopSenior prelate over province
- cardinalOf foremost importance
- patriarchMale head of family
- metropolitanOf a major city
primate · pontiff · pope · suffragan · coadjutor · diocesan · titular · auxiliary
Legal authority's scope
- dioceseBishop's territorial jurisdiction
- seePerceive with eyes
- episcopateBishops as a body
- primacyCondition of being foremost
curia · synod · consistory · excommunication · interdict · dispensation · imprimatur · encyclical
Superior merit or virtue
- eminenceElevated rank or renown
- holinessSacred spiritual purity
- beatitudeSupreme spiritual happiness
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
lordship · reverence · monsignor · venerable · worship · father · dom · metropolitan
Clergy appointment ceremony
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
- installationProcess of putting in
- enthronementFormal investiture of sovereign
- investitureCeremony conferring rank
confirmation · anointing · blessing · procession · conclave · convocation · synod · council
bishop
Diocesan clergy head
- archbishopSenior prelate over province
- cardinalOf foremost importance
- patriarchMale head of family
metropolitan · primate · pontiff · pope · suffragan · coadjutor · diocesan · titular · auxiliary · emeritus
jurisdiction
Legal authority's scope
- dioceseBishop's territorial jurisdiction
- seePerceive with eyes
- episcopateBishops as a body
primacy · curia · synod · consistory · excommunication · interdict · dispensation · imprimatur · encyclical · faculties
excellency
Superior merit or virtue
grace · lordship · reverence · monsignor · venerable · worship · father · dom · metropolitan · patriarch
ordination
Clergy appointment ceremony
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
- installationProcess of putting in
- enthronementFormal investiture of sovereign
investiture · confirmation · anointing · blessing · procession · conclave · convocation · synod · council · visitation
mitre
Pointed clerical headwear
- crozierHooked episcopal symbol
- copeHandle difficulties adequately
- chasubleLiturgical overgarment for clergy
pallium · biretta · cassock · surplice · stole · maniple · tiara
shepherd
One who tends flocks
doctrine · orthodoxy · homily · sermon · flock · faithful · souls · ministry · sacraments · absolution
- Catholic ChurchVatican, papacy, cardinals, popes, papal
- Catholic Clergypope, pontiff, cardinal, bishop, monsignor
- church authoritypapacy, bishops, papal authority, popes, papal supremacy
- church leaderspastor, rector, vicar, parson, preacher
- church rolesbishop, deacons, priest, pastor, lay readers
- church titlesabbot, abbess, bishop, deacon, priest
prelatelayperson
Non-specialist or unordained person
politician · civil authority · worldling · civilian · magistrate