The bishops, who possess the fullness of orders, and therefore the fullness of both priesthood and … 展开

Local ordinaries are placed over or exercise ordinary executive power in particular churches or equivalent communities.
• The Supreme Pontiff (the Pope) is a local ordinary for the whole Catholic Church.
• In Eastern Catholi… 展开

Bishops are assisted by priests and deacons. All priests and deacons are incardinated in a diocese or religious order. Parishes, whether territorial or person-based, within a diocese are normally in the charge of a pries… 展开

Deacons are ordained ministers of the church who are co-workers with the bishop alongside presbyters, but are intended to focus on the ministries of direct service and outreach to the poor and needy, rather than pastoral leaders… 展开

Most Catholics are laity, a term derived from Greek λαὸς Θεοῦ (Laòs Theoû), meaning "people of God". All Christian faithful have the right and duty to bring the gospel message increasingly to "all people in every age and every la… 展开

Religious—who can be either lay people or clergy—are members of religious institutes, societies in which the members take public vows and live a fraternal life in common. This is a form of consecrated life distinct from … 展开