Rachel Evans
Bishops in the Catholic Church are ordained ministers who hold the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders and are responsible for teaching Catholic doctrine, governing Catholics in their jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the church. As of 2024, there were 5,353 bishops in the world, with 2,682 diocesan bishops and 2,671 religious bishops. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands, consisting of 194 archdioceses/dioceses. The Catholic Church also runs educational and charitable institutions worldwide, including kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, universities, hospitals, and care homes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of Catholic bishops in the world as of 2023 | 5,340 |
| Total number of Catholic bishops in the world as of 2022 | 5,353 |
| Total number of Diocesan Bishops in the world | 2,682 |
| Total number of Religious Bishops in the world | 2,671 |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic bishops in the world: 5353
As of 2024, there were 5353 Catholic bishops in the world. This number includes both diocesan and religious bishops, with the former outnumbering the latter. Diocesan bishops, also known as eparchial bishops in Eastern Catholic Churches, are assigned to govern local regions within the Catholic Church known as dioceses in the Latin Church and eparchies in the Eastern Churches.
The College of Bishops, as a group, is considered the successor of the College of Apostles. They are responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in their jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the Church. The Bishop of Rome, also known as the Pope, possesses a unique role among the bishops, which includes speaking for the whole Church, appointing other bishops, and managing the Church's central administration, the Roman Curia.
In addition to the title of bishop, members of the College of Bishops can also hold titles such as archbishop, cardinal, patriarch, or pope. An archbishop is the head of an archdiocese, and a metropolitan archbishop has jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province. A cardinal is a bishop or archbishop appointed by the Pope to serve in the College of Cardinals, and they play a crucial role in electing a new pope and serving as papal advisors.
The Catholic Church also recognises the status of "emeritus" for bishops who have reached the age of retirement, which is currently 75 years. This status was established after the Second Vatican Council.
The number of Catholic bishops in the world has been increasing, with a total of 5340 bishops reported in 2023, showing a growth of 13 units compared to the previous year. This increase coincides with the overall growth of the Catholic population worldwide, which stood at approximately 1.38 billion as of December 31, 2022.
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Diocesan bishops: 2682
Diocesan bishops, also known as eparchial bishops in the Eastern Catholic Churches, are assigned to govern local regions within the Catholic Church. These regions are known as dioceses in the Latin Church and eparchies in the Eastern Churches. As of 2024, there were 2,682 diocesan bishops in the world. This number has increased from the previous year's total of 2,663.
Diocesan bishops are responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics within their jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the church. They are collectively known as the College of Bishops, and they can hold additional titles such as archbishop, cardinal, patriarch, or pope. The pope, as the Bishop of Rome and successor of Saint Peter, has the unique role of speaking for the whole Church, appointing other bishops, and managing the Church's central administration, the Roman Curia.
In the United States, there are 194 archdioceses and dioceses, with the Eastern Catholic Churches constituting their own membership region. These regions typically include multiple Metropolitan Archdioceses and several Dioceses across various states. The Archdioceses and Dioceses become vacant when the Ordinary Bishop resigns, passes away, or is transferred, and they are then overseen by an Administrator chosen by the College of Consultors.
The Catholic Church also has a status of "emeritus" for bishops who have reached the age of 75 and are encouraged or required to submit their resignations. Diocesan bishops who resign continue to be identified by the name of the see they have resigned from, as decreed by Pope Paul VI in 1970.
The number of diocesan bishops has been increasing globally, while the number of religious bishops has been decreasing. This trend is reflected in the total number of priests in the world, which continues to decline, with a significant decrease in Europe and America, while Africa and Asia have shown consistent increases.
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Religious bishops: 2671
As of 2024, there were 2,671 religious bishops in the Catholic Church. This number represents a decrease of 6 from the previous year. Religious bishops are those who are monks, and their everyday dress is the monastic habit with a panagia and, depending on rank, also a pectoral cross and a second panagia.
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders and is responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in his jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the church. Catholics trace the origins of the office of bishop to the apostles, who it is believed were endowed with a special charism and office by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
The College of Bishops, as a group, is considered the successor of the College of Apostles. The Bishop of Rome, as the successor of Saint Peter, possesses the unique role among bishops of speaking for the whole Church, appointing other bishops, and managing the Church's central administration, the Roman Curia. Diocesan bishops, known as eparchial bishops in the Eastern Catholic Churches, are assigned to govern local regions within the Catholic Church known as dioceses in the Latin Church and eparchies in the Eastern Churches.
The number of bishops and priests in the Catholic Church is decreasing, with the total number of priests in the world reaching 407,730 in 2024, a decrease of 142 from the previous year. This decrease is particularly notable in Europe, which saw 2,745 fewer priests. At the same time, the number of permanent deacons is increasing globally, reaching 50,159 in 2024, an increase of 974 from the previous year.
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Bishops wear a chasuble when celebrating Mass
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in his jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the church. The number of Catholic bishops in the world is unclear, but in the United States alone, there are 194 archdioceses/dioceses, each with its own bishop. This indicates a substantial number of Catholic bishops worldwide.
Bishops, like priests, wear a chasuble when celebrating Mass. The chasuble is the outermost liturgical vestment worn by clergy for the celebration of the Eucharist in Western-tradition Christian churches, including Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions. It is a large, poncho-like garment that covers the ordinary clothing of the priest or bishop, symbolizing the "seamless garment" worn by Christ during his crucifixion. The chasuble is often ornately decorated, incorporating Christian symbols and rich materials such as silk or gold brocade, especially for major celebrations.
The Caeremoniale Episcoporum recommends that during solemn celebrations, a bishop should wear a dalmatic, preferably white, beneath the chasuble. Additionally, when celebrating Mass, a bishop may wear other pontifical vestments, such as a mitre, pectoral cross, ecclesiastical ring, and zucchetto. These vestments are not unique to bishops, as some are also worn by priests and other clergy members, but they hold symbolic significance for all who wear them.
The chasuble has a long history, dating back to the Roman Empire when it was a common outer traveling garment. Over time, its form and function evolved, becoming associated with Christian clergy in the 3rd century. By the 8th century, it was exclusively worn by clergy members and adorned to reflect its sacred purpose. The chasuble continues to be a distinctive vestment, setting priests and bishops apart during Mass and emphasizing the sacred nature of the occasion.
In summary, bishops wear a chasuble when celebrating Mass, adhering to a long-standing tradition in the Catholic Church and other Western-tradition Christian denominations. The chasuble serves as a visual reminder of the sacredness of the Mass and the unique role of those who lead it.
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US Catholic bishops: 194 archdioceses/dioceses
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the "fullness of the sacrament of holy orders". Bishops are responsible for teaching Catholic doctrine, governing Catholics in their jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the church. Catholics believe that the office of bishop traces its origins to the apostles, who were endowed with a special charism and office by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This special charism and office have been transmitted through an unbroken succession of bishops by the laying on of hands in the sacrament of holy orders. Diocesan bishops, or eparchial bishops in the Eastern Catholic Churches, are assigned to govern local regions within the Catholic Church known as dioceses in the Latin Church and eparchies in the Eastern Churches.
In the United States, there are 194 archdioceses and dioceses, which are divided into 14 geographic regions for the purposes of USCCB proceedings. These regions typically include two or more Metropolitan Archdioceses and several Dioceses across one or more states. The Eastern Catholic Churches constitute their own membership region.
The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, provides pastoral care and spiritual services to those serving in the armed forces of the United States. It has no defined territory, but its jurisdiction extends to wherever American uniformed military members serve, including all U.S. government property, military installations, embassies, and other diplomatic missions.
The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter is a special diocese serving former Anglican groups and clergy in the United States who have converted to Catholicism. It is based in Houston, Texas, and includes parishes and communities across the United States that are fully Catholic while retaining elements of their Anglican heritage and traditions.
Archdioceses and Dioceses become vacant when the Ordinary Bishop resigns, passes away, or is transferred to another See. These Dioceses are overseen by an Administrator who is a priest or bishop at least 35 years old and is chosen by the College of Consultors of the (Arch)Diocese within 8 days of the vacancy. The Pope may also appoint an Apostolic Administrator, typically the Metropolitan Archbishop, a local retired Bishop, or a suffragan Bishop.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, there are 5,340 Catholic bishops in the world.
Diocesan bishops, also known as eparchial bishops in the Eastern Catholic Churches, are assigned to govern local regions within the Catholic Church. Religious bishops are the other type, and their numbers are decreasing.
Catholic bishops are responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in their jurisdiction, sanctifying the world, and representing the church. They are also responsible for the appointment of other bishops and the management of the Church's central administration, the Roman Curia.
The Pope, also known as the Bishop of Rome, is considered the head of the Catholic Church and has the authority to appoint bishops and manage the Church's central administration. The College of Bishops, which includes the Pope, is believed to be the successor of the College of Apostles.
