| A | B |
|---|
| hierarchy | leaders and institutions are organized in a specific order |
| cathedra | bishop 's chair |
| curia | Vatican offices |
| Holy See | seat of the central administration of the whole Catholic Church under the leadership of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome |
| Domestic Church | the family |
| College of Bishops | The assembly of bishops, headed by the Pope, that holds the teaching authority and responsibility in the church |
| Vicar | Someone who serves as a substitute or agent for someone else. As the Vicar of Christ, the Pope acts for Christ, his human representative on earth |
| episcopacy or episcopate | bishop 's governance of his church |
| collegial | characterized by equal sharing. The bishops of the church together with the Pope as their head form a college, which has full authority over the church. |
| Ecumenical Council | Bishops together with the Pope gather to settle questions of major importance for the entire church |
| synod | Bishops meet in provincial councils at a local level |
| presbytery, presbyterate | The name given to priests as a group, especially in a diocese; based on the Greek word presbyter which means "Elder" |
| discernment | from a Latin word meaning "to separate or distinguish between", it is the practice of listening for God 's call in our lives and distinguishing between good and bad choices |
| Deacon | ordained for ministry and service. Daikon is is the Greek word for service |
| Magisterium | The teaching authority of the Church |
| Infallibility | The Pope and the bishops in union with him, can definitively proclaim a doctrine of faith and morals without error |
| Indefectibility | The Church's remaining uncorrupted and faithful to Christ,s teachings, until the end of human history |
