Bishop

An ecclesiastical officer, who is the chief of the clergy of his diocese, and is the archbishop's assistant. No such officer is recognized by law in the United States.

In England, an ecclesiastical officer, who is the chief of the clergy of his diocese, and is the next in rank to an archbishop. A bishop is a corporation sole; 1 Bla. Com. 469. In the United States it is the title of a high ecclesiastical officer of the Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Methodist Episcopal and some other churches. In the first two he is the head of a diocese. He is addressed in the Church of England and the Protestant Episcopal Church as Right Reverend. In England the two archbishops and twenty-four bishops are entitled to sit in the House of Lords, and are known as spiritual peers. When there is a vacancy, the senior existing bishop is entitled to fill it and not the successor of the one who died. The bishop's powers are threefold: 1. Potestas ordinis, under which he confers orders, confirms, consecrates churches, etc.; 2. Potestas jurisdictionis, which he exercises as ecclesiastical judge of the diocese; 3. Administratio familiaris, by which he governs the revenue; 1 Bla. Com. 377, 155. In the Roman Church he is the governing authority in his diocese and is said to be "the supreme pastor, the supreme teacher, the supreme governor." It is his duty, under the laws and discipline of his church, to administer the regulations provided by its laws, and to construe and interpret such regulations. The court will not review the judgments or acts of a religious organization with reference to its internal affairs for the purpose of ascertaining their regularity or accordance with the discipline and usage of such organization; Pounder v. Ashe, 44 Neb. 673, 63 N. W. 48; Bonacum v. Harrington, 65 Neb. 831, 91 N. W. 886. See Religious Society.

An ecclesiastical ofiS.cer, and subordinate to the suffragan, or assistant, or, in law of this country recognizes

An English ecclesiastical dignitary, being the chief of the clergy within his diocese, subject to the archbishop of the provinces in which his diocese is situated, Most of thie bishops are also members of the house of lords. A bishop bas three powers: (1) A power of ordination, gained on his consecration, by which he confers orders, cte., in uny place throughout the world; (2) a power of jurisdiction throughout his see or his bishopric: (3) a power of administration and government of the revenues thereof, gained on confirmation. He has, also, a consistory court, to hear ecclesiastical causes, and visits and super intends the clergy of his diocese. He consecrates churches and institutes priests, confirms, suspends, excommunicates, and grants licenses for marriages. He has his archdeacon, dean, and chapter, chancellor, who holds his courts and assists him in matters of ecclesiastical law, and viear-genera), He grants leases for three lives, or twenty-one years, reserving the accustomed yearly rent. Wharton.

[Lat. episcopus.] In English ecclesiastical law. The chief of the clergy within a diocese, suborainate to the archbishop of the province, to whom he is sworn to pay due obedience. 3 Steph. Com. 65, and notes. He is styled the archbishop's suffragan, or assistant. Id. 63, note (t)# Co. Litt, 94 a., Hargr. note 96. In the common law he is generally called the ordinary. 1 Ckitt. BL Com. 383, note. His dignity is usually called a see, (sedes), and his church a cathedral. 3 Steph. Com. 65s