AUXILIARY BISHOP Meaning and
Definition
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An auxiliary bishop is a term used in the context of the Catholic Church to denote a bishop who assists and supports the diocesan bishop in carrying out the pastoral and administrative duties within a specific geographical region. The role of an auxiliary bishop is to assist in the governance and leadership of a diocese, particularly in larger or more populous areas where the responsibilities of the diocesan bishop may be extensive or complex.
Auxiliary bishops are appointed by the diocesan bishop to help manage the various aspects of the diocese, such as overseeing the clergy, participating in the sacrament of ordination, celebrating the sacraments, and providing pastoral care to the faithful. They are vested with the authority to preside over liturgical rites, preach the Word of God, and provide guidance to the priests and deacons serving within their designated area.
While auxiliary bishops serve in a supportive capacity to the diocesan bishop, they are fully ordained bishops and hold the same sacramental role and authority as diocesan bishops. However, they do not have jurisdiction over the entire diocese unless explicitly delegated by the diocesan bishop. The primary function of an auxiliary bishop is to assist the diocesan bishop in carrying out his pastoral duties, ensuring the smooth functioning and spiritual growth of the local Church within their designated territories.
Etymology of AUXILIARY BISHOP
The word "auxiliary" is derived from the Latin word "auxiliarius", which means "helper" or "assistant". It is formed by combining the prefix "auxilium", meaning "help", with the suffix "-arius", denoting someone or something related to or involved in a particular activity.
The term "bishop" comes from the Greek word "episkopos", which means "overseer" or "supervisor". The Greek word is a combination of "epi", meaning "over", and "skopos", meaning "watcher".
Therefore, the term "auxiliary bishop" refers to a bishop who serves as an assistant or helper to another bishop, usually the diocesan bishop. Auxiliary bishops are appointed to assist with various pastoral duties and responsibilities within a particular diocese.
