Bishop's chaplain
Encyclopedia
In contrast to a usual chaplain
(a priest serving a specific group of people), a bishop's chaplain or archbishop's chaplain is chaplain to a bishop
or archbishop
only. The office exists in the Anglican churches, the American and Scottish
Episcopal Churches, and the Roman Catholic Church
.
A bishop's chaplain also acts as his private secretary
, attends and assists him at all services where he wears his or her mitre and carries his or her crozier, acts as his proxy on some bodies and generally ministers to and prays for him or her.
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
(a priest serving a specific group of people), a bishop's chaplain or archbishop's chaplain is chaplain to a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
or archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
only. The office exists in the Anglican churches, the American and Scottish
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
Episcopal Churches, and the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
.
A bishop's chaplain also acts as his private secretary
Private Secretary
In the United Kingdom government, a Private Secretary is a civil servant in a Department or Ministry, responsible to the Secretary of State or Minister...
, attends and assists him at all services where he wears his or her mitre and carries his or her crozier, acts as his proxy on some bodies and generally ministers to and prays for him or her.