An archbishop is a bishop who heads a relevant diocese.
An archbishop is a bishop who heads a diocese relevant for its history or its magnitude . To know what an archbishop is, therefore, we have to understand what a bishop is and what a diocese is.
A diocese is a territory that is under the leadership of a bishop , who is precisely the highest ranking priest in a diocese . It can be said that the bishop is responsible for directing and guiding the community that is part of the diocese in question.
The etymology of archbishop
Before entering fully into establishing the meaning of the term, it is necessary to know its etymological origin. In this case, we can say that it derives from the Greek archiepískopos , which is the result of the sum of these two elements:
- The prefix archi- , which can be translated as “the boss” or “the one who commands” .
- The noun episkopos , which is equivalent to “bishop.”
These two elements, when united, created a noun that means “he who commands the bishops.”
Differences with a cardinal
It is important to differentiate the positions of archbishop and cardinal . We can determine that the latter is the rank that is immediately below the pope .
Hence, once appointed by the Supreme Pontiff, he will be in charge not only of helping him in the government but also of advising him and, when the time comes, of electing the new pope.
Archbishops are priests.
Role of an archbishop
Returning to the idea of archbishop, this is a prelate who heads a diocese of special status: an archdiocese or archdiocese . This ecclesiastical entity is made up of different dioceses, whose responsibility is the archbishop who has his headquarters in the metropolitan church.
It could be said, in short, that an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank since he governs an archdiocese. That rank, in any case, is not linked to a different order: consecration is granted to the priest when he is ordained a bishop. The archbishop does not have any power superior or additional to that of the bishop.
Some examples
Jorge Mario Bergoglio , before becoming Pope Francis , was archbishop of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires . Bergoglio was ordained archbishop in 1998 and, three years later, he also became a cardinal . Already as Pope Francis , in 2014 he appointed Mario Aurelio Poli as archbishop of Buenos Aires .
Talking about archbishop often means mentioning the Archbishop of Canterbury , who is the oldest bishop in the United Kingdom since it dates back to the year 597. Currently, we can establish that he is the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion .
One of the most well-known and significant archbishops in history, specifically that of Spain , is Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros ( 1436 – 1517 ). He was archbishop of Toledo , cardinal and one of the most relevant inquisitors. Due to the incapacity of Queen Juana, he served as regent of the Kingdom of Castile on two occasions and also served as such after the death of Ferdinand of Aragon and until the arrival of Charles I to the throne.