Clergy and religious life
The Catholic hierarchy
The Catholic Church understands its structure as both hierarchical and collegial. The Pope, as Bishop of Rome and successor of Peter, holds full and universal authority, and together with him, never apart from him, the bishops of the world form the College of Bishops. The Roman Curia, reorganised in 2022 into dicasteries, assists the Pope in governing the universal Church, while each bishop leads his own diocese. Cardinals advise the Pope, and those under eighty elect his successor. The sacrament of holy orders has three degrees: bishop, priest (presbyter) and deacon. In the Latin Church priests are normally celibate, while permanent deacons may be married. Titles such as cardinal, archbishop and monsignor are offices or honours, not further ordinations. Monks, friars and sisters belong to religious institutes; most are not clergy, though many religious men are ordained. Eastern Catholic Churches, among them the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church, keep their own Byzantine traditions in communion with Rome.
See also: The Orthodox hierarchy →See also: The Anglican hierarchy →See also: Protestant ministry →
- Bishops
- Priests
- Deacons
- Religious life
Orders and states of life
Bishops
Bishops receive the fullness of holy orders and are regarded as successors of the apostles. The Pope appoints them, usually after a confidential consultation led by the apostolic nuncio, and at least three bishops ordain them. Pope, cardinals, archbishops and bishops share the same episcopal order; their titles describe office, jurisdiction and precedence, not a higher sacrament.
Priests
Priests are co-workers of the bishops. They celebrate Mass, hear confessions, anoint the sick and lead parishes. Diocesan priests promise obedience to their bishop and, in the Latin Church, celibacy; religious priests take vows in their order. Honorary titles such as monsignor are papal distinctions given to priests, not an additional degree of ordination.
Deacons
Deacons are ordained for service rather than for priesthood. They proclaim the Gospel, preach, baptise, witness marriages, lead funerals and serve in works of charity. Transitional deacons are on the way to the priesthood; permanent deacons, restored as a lifelong ministry after the Second Vatican Council, remain deacons for life and may be married men.
Religious life
Religious life is a form of consecrated life, not an order of clergy. Monks, nuns, friars, brothers and sisters profess vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in an approved institute such as the Benedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans or Carmelites. Some religious men are also ordained priests; women religious and lay brothers are not clergy, though they hold full membership of their orders.
Bishops
Pope
Papa; Summus Pontifex; Episcopus Romanus (Latin)
Addressed as His Holiness
The Pope is Bishop of Rome and, in Catholic teaching, successor of the apostle Peter, with full, supreme and universal authority over the Church. He is elected by the cardinals under eighty in a conclave in the Sistine Chapel, by a two-thirds majority, and serves for life unless he resigns, as Benedict XVI did in 2013. He appoints bishops, oversees the Curia, canonises saints and teaches on faith and morals. He is also sovereign of Vatican City State. Leo XIV was elected in May 2025.
What the figure wears
- Alb alba
A long white linen tunic reaching the feet; the baptismal garment beneath the vestments of every Catholic minister.
- Gothic chasuble casula
A full, sleeveless outer vestment of white and gold falling in soft folds over the arms, in the ample medieval Gothic cut used at papal Masses.
- Pallium pallium
A narrow band of white lamb’s wool around the shoulders over the chasuble, with pendants front and back, six red crosses and three gold pins recalling the nails of the Cross; since 2008 the red crosses set the pope’s pallium apart from the black-crossed pallium of metropolitan archbishops.
- Mitre mitra
A tall white and gold headdress of two stiffened, pointed panels with two lappets falling at the back, removed during the Eucharistic Prayer.
- Zucchetto pileolus
A white silk skullcap, worn by the Pope alone in white, kept on beneath the mitre and removed only for the Eucharistic Prayer.
- Papal ferula ferula
The papal pastoral staff, a silver or gilt staff topped by a cross instead of a bishop’s crook, carried in procession.
- Outside services
- A white cassock with a short shoulder cape (*pellegrina*), a white sash (*fascia*) and white skullcap (*zucchetto*), with a pectoral cross; for formal appearances Leo XIV also wears a red mozzetta and embroidered red stole.
- Insignia
- Fisherman's Ring, pectoral cross, papal ferula, pallium and white zucchetto; the papal arms bear crossed gold and silver keys.
Bishops
Cardinal
Cardinalis; Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalis (Latin)
Addressed as His Eminence
Cardinals are the Pope’s closest advisers and together form the College of Cardinals. The Pope creates them at a consistory, giving each a red biretta, a ring and a titular church in Rome. Those under eighty are electors in a conclave. The college has three ranks, cardinal bishops, cardinal priests and cardinal deacons, a distinction of precedence. Many cardinals are diocesan archbishops or heads of Curia dicasteries. Since 1962 cardinals are normally bishops, though an older priest may be dispensed from episcopal ordination. The cardinalate is a dignity, not an order.
What the figure wears
- Scarlet cassock vestis talaris
An ankle-length scarlet cassock with scarlet buttons and piping, the base of choir dress, worn at liturgies a cardinal attends but does not celebrate.
- Fascia fascia
A broad scarlet silk sash wound around the waist, with fringed ends hanging at the left side.
- Rochet rochettum
A knee-length white linen garment with narrow sleeves, often trimmed with lace, worn over the cassock as a mark of prelatic rank.
- Mozzetta mozzetta
A short scarlet shoulder cape reaching the elbows, buttoned down the front, worn over the rochet.
- Zucchetto and biretta pileolus, biretum
A scarlet silk skullcap, with the square scarlet biretta over it, three-ridged and without a tuft; the red recalls readiness to shed one’s blood for the faith.
- Pectoral cross crux pectoralis
A gold cross worn on a red-and-gold cord with choir dress, and on a chain with ordinary clerical dress.
- Outside services
- A black cassock with scarlet piping, buttons and sash and a scarlet zucchetto, or a black clerical suit with a Roman collar, worn with the pectoral cross on a chain and the cardinal's ring.
- Insignia
- Cardinal's ring, pectoral cross, red biretta and zucchetto; at Mass a mitre and crosier. The long scarlet train, *cappa magna*, is still permitted on very solemn occasions outside Rome but is rarely worn.
Bishops
Archbishop (metropolitan)
Archiepiscopus; Metropolita (Latin)
Addressed as His Excellency (in some English-speaking countries, His Grace)
An archbishop is a bishop who leads an archdiocese. Most archbishops are metropolitans, heading an ecclesiastical province of neighbouring dioceses whose bishops are called suffragans; the metropolitan has limited oversight of them and convenes provincial meetings. The Pope appoints archbishops. The sign of a metropolitan is the pallium, blessed by the Pope on 29 June, feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Since 2025 Leo XIV again places it on new metropolitans himself in Rome, after a decade in which nuncios imposed it locally. Titular and personal archbishops have no province.
What the figure wears
- Chasuble casula
A wide, sleeveless outer vestment of white and gold, falling to below the knees, often with an embroidered cross or column.
- Pallium pallium
A narrow white lamb’s-wool band with six black crosses, worn around the shoulders over the chasuble with pendants front and back, fixed with pins; used only within his province.
- Mitre mitra
A tall two-pointed headdress with two lappets at the back, in white or gold fabric, worn during processions and parts of the Mass.
- Crosier baculus pastoralis
A pastoral staff with a curved crook at the top, gilt or silver, symbolising the shepherd who guides and protects the flock.
- Pectoral cross crux pectoralis
A gold cross on a chain worn on the breast, the bishop’s personal sign of the cross of Christ.
- Outside services
- A black cassock with amaranth-red piping and buttons, a purple sash and purple zucchetto, or a black clerical suit with a Roman collar, pectoral cross and episcopal ring.
- Insignia
- Pallium, episcopal ring, pectoral cross (on a green-and-gold cord in choir dress), crosier, mitre, purple zucchetto, and a processional archiepiscopal cross carried before him in his province.
Bishops
Bishop
Episcopus (Latin)
Addressed as His Excellency (in some countries, My Lord)
A diocesan bishop governs a diocese as its proper pastor, teaching, sanctifying and governing in communion with the Pope. He ordains priests and deacons, confirms, dedicates churches and blesses the holy oils at the Chrism Mass. The Pope appoints bishops, normally from candidates proposed through the nuncio, and at least three bishops ordain them. Auxiliary bishops assist in large dioceses and hold a titular see. Latin bishops are celibate and must offer their resignation to the Pope at seventy-five.
What the figure wears
- Violet cassock vestis talaris
An ankle-length violet cassock with crimson piping and buttons, the base of a bishop’s choir dress.
- Rochet rochettum
A knee-length white linen garment with narrow sleeves, trimmed with lace, worn over the cassock as the mark of a prelate.
- Mozzetta mozzetta
A short violet shoulder cape buttoned down the front, reaching to the elbows, worn over the rochet in choir.
- Zucchetto pileolus
A violet silk skullcap worn on the crown of the head, the everyday sign of a bishop.
- Pectoral cross crux pectoralis
A gold cross on a green-and-gold cord, worn over the mozzetta; it is the bishop’s personal sign of the cross of Christ.
- Outside services
- A black cassock with amaranth-red piping and buttons and a purple sash, or a black clerical suit with a Roman collar, purple zucchetto, pectoral cross on a chain and ring.
- Insignia
- Episcopal ring, pectoral cross, crosier, mitre and purple zucchetto; at solemn Masses he may wear a dalmatic beneath the chasuble.
Priests
Monsignor
Monsignore (Italian); Capellanus Suae Sanctitatis (Latin)
Addressed as Reverend Monsignor
Monsignor is a papal honour given to a priest, not a separate order or office. There are three grades: Chaplain of His Holiness, Prelate of Honour and Protonotary Apostolic. Under a rule introduced by Pope Francis in 2014, diocesan priests outside the service of the Holy See receive only the first grade, and normally only from the age of sixty-five. Priests working in the Roman Curia or the diplomatic service may be named monsignors earlier. In Italian and French usage bishops, too, are addressed as Monsignore or Monseigneur.
What the figure wears
- Cassock with purple piping vestis talaris
A black ankle-length cassock with purple piping and buttons, the mark of a Chaplain of His Holiness.
- Fascia fascia
A purple silk sash worn around the waist with the cassock, its fringed ends at the left side.
- Biretta biretum
A square black biretta with three ridges, worn in choir and removed at set moments of the liturgy.
- Outside services
- A black clerical suit with a Roman collar, like any priest, or on formal occasions the black cassock with purple piping and sash; there is no special ring, pectoral cross or headgear.
- Insignia
- No ring, pectoral cross or episcopal insignia; only the purple piping and sash of choir dress, and the title itself. At Mass he vests as a priest.
Priests
Priest
Sacerdos; Presbyter (Latin)
Addressed as Reverend Father
A priest celebrates Mass, hears confessions, anoints the sick, baptises, witnesses marriages and preaches, usually as pastor of a parish or as a chaplain, teacher or missionary. He is ordained by a bishop through the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination. Diocesan priests promise obedience to their bishop; religious priests belong to an order. In the Latin Church priests are celibate, with rare exceptions such as married former Anglican clergy, while Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Romanian Greek-Catholic Church, also ordain married men.
What the figure wears
- Alb alba
A full-length white linen tunic with long sleeves, worn under the chasuble and recalling the white garment of baptism.
- Stole stola
A long narrow band in the liturgical colour, worn around the neck and hanging straight down in front; the sign of the ordained priest.
- Fiddleback chasuble casula romana
A stiff chasuble in the older Roman cut, shaped like a violin body front and back, here green for Ordinary Time with a gold cross.
- Chalice calix
A gilt cup on a tall stem in which wine is consecrated at Mass, held by the priest as the sign of his Eucharistic ministry.
- Outside services
- A black clerical suit or shirt with a white Roman collar, or a black cassock with a black sash; white cassocks are common in hot climates. No headgear is required today.
- Insignia
- No personal insignia; the stole is the visible sign of priesthood, and at Mass he uses the chalice, paten and Roman Missal.
Deacons
Deacon
Diaconus (Latin)
Addressed as Deacon, followed by the name (in the United States also Reverend Mister)
The deacon proclaims the Gospel, preaches, assists the priest at the altar, baptises, witnesses marriages, leads funerals and serves in charity. He is ordained by a bishop. A transitional deacon is a seminarian or religious who will later be ordained priest, usually within a year, and he commits to celibacy. A permanent deacon remains a deacon for life; he may be a married man of at least thirty-five, with his wife’s consent, but cannot remarry if widowed. Permanent deacons often keep secular jobs.
What the figure wears
- Alb alba
A full-length white tunic with long sleeves, the common baptismal garment worn under the deacon’s vestments.
- Diaconal stole stola
A stole worn over the left shoulder and drawn diagonally across the chest and back to fasten at the right hip, in the colour of the day.
- Dalmatic dalmatica
A knee-length tunic of white and gold with short wide sleeves, open at the sides, often with vertical bands; the proper vestment of the deacon.
- Book of the Gospels Evangeliarium
A large book with an ornamented gold cover, carried raised in procession and laid on the altar before the deacon proclaims the Gospel.
- Outside services
- Transitional deacons usually wear clerical dress like priests. Permanent deacons generally wear ordinary clothes and, where local rules allow, a clerical collar only when ministering.
- Insignia
- No personal insignia; he carries the Book of the Gospels in procession and often the thurible.
Religious life
Religious brother / monk
Frater (Latin); Fra (Italian); Ordo Fratrum Minorum (Franciscans)
Addressed as Brother (Italian *Fra*); Father if ordained; *Dom* for Benedictine monks in some congregations
Religious men profess vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in an order approved by the Church. Friars such as the Franciscans, founded by Francis of Assisi in the thirteenth century, live in communities devoted to preaching, poverty and service, moving where they are sent rather than belonging to one monastery. Monks such as Benedictines and Trappists live under the Rule of Saint Benedict in one monastery, governed by an abbot elected by the community and blessed by a bishop. Non-ordained brothers are lay religious.
What the figure wears
- Habit habitus
An ankle-length tunic of rough brown wool with wide sleeves, cut in the shape of a cross; the Franciscan sign of poverty.
- Capuche caputium
A pointed hood attached to a short shoulder cape, worn down on the back or raised over the head.
- Cord cingulum
A white rope belt with three knots hanging at the side, for the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
- Sandals sandalia
Simple leather sandals worn on bare feet in most seasons, a traditional mark of Franciscan simplicity.
- Tonsure tonsura
A shaved crown leaving a ring of hair, the traditional mark of religious men; now uncommon, it survives in some communities.
- Outside services
- The Franciscan habit is worn in the friary and often in public; many friars also wear clerical or ordinary clothes outside. A Benedictine monk instead wears a black tunic, leather belt and hooded scapular, with a full cowl in choir.
- Insignia
- Often a rosary hanging from the cord, in Franciscan use the seven-decade crown; a Benedictine abbot adds a pectoral cross, ring, mitre and crosier.
Religious life
Religious sister / nun
Soror; Monialis (Latin)
Addressed as Sister; Mother for a superior or abbess
Strictly speaking, nuns belong to enclosed contemplative orders, such as Benedictines, Poor Clares or Carmelites, living in a monastery and praying the full Liturgy of the Hours, while sisters belong to active congregations working in schools, hospitals and parishes. Both profess vows and both are lay religious, not clergy. An abbess is elected by her community and blessed by a bishop, receiving a ring and, in some traditions, a crosier; she governs the monastery but holds no sacramental office. Many congregations today wear a simplified habit.
What the figure wears
- Habit tunica
An ankle-length black wool tunic with long sleeves, belted at the waist, the foundation of the traditional habit.
- Scapular scapulare
A long black panel worn over the shoulders and hanging front and back to the hem of the habit, signifying the yoke of Christ.
- Coif and guimpe guimpe
A white linen cap framing the face, with the guimpe, a starched white collar or bib covering the neck and upper chest.
- Veil velum
A black veil for professed sisters, white for novices, covering the head and falling over the shoulders and back.
- Rosary rosarium
A string of beads with a crucifix, hung from the belt, used to pray the Hail Mary in decades while meditating on the life of Christ.
- Outside services
- The habit without the cowl in enclosed monasteries; in active congregations a simpler habit, a short veil with a plain dress, or ordinary clothing with a cross or ring, according to each institute's rule.
- Insignia
- Rosary and, in many orders, a profession ring for the solemnly professed; an abbess wears a pectoral cross and ring and may carry a crosier.
Questions people ask
Why do cardinals wear red?
Scarlet has marked the cardinals since the Middle Ages; Pope Innocent IV gave them the red hat in 1245. Today the colour is explained as a sign that a cardinal must be ready to defend the faith *usque ad sanguinis effusionem*, even to the shedding of blood, words spoken when the Pope places the red biretta on a new cardinal. Bishops, by contrast, wear a reddish purple, and priests black, so the colours of choir dress show rank at a glance.
Can Catholic priests marry?
In the Latin Church, priests are normally celibate, and an ordained priest cannot marry. There are exceptions: married former Anglican or Protestant ministers who become Catholic may, with papal permission, be ordained while remaining married. Eastern Catholic Churches, such as the Romanian Greek-Catholic and Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Churches, ordain married men as priests in line with Byzantine tradition, while their bishops are celibate. Married men may also become permanent deacons, but may not marry after ordination.
Is a monsignor higher than a priest?
Not sacramentally. A monsignor is a priest who has received an honorary title from the Pope, usually in recognition of long service or for work in the Holy See. He celebrates the same sacraments and has the same authority as any other priest. The only visible difference is in choir dress: purple piping, buttons and sash, or for higher grades a purple cassock. In some languages the title monsignor is also used when addressing a bishop.
What is the pallium?
The pallium is a narrow band of white lamb's wool worn around the shoulders, with short pendants front and back, six black crosses and three pins recalling the nails of the Cross. Both the Pope and metropolitan archbishops wear it. It symbolises the shepherd carrying the lamb and the metropolitan's communion with the Pope. Pallia are woven from the wool of lambs blessed on the feast of Saint Agnes and are blessed by the Pope each year on 29 June.
Are nuns clergy?
No. Clergy in the Catholic Church are those who have received holy orders: deacons, priests and bishops, all men. Nuns and sisters are consecrated religious who profess vows and live under a rule, and they belong to the laity in the canonical sense. The same is true of religious brothers who are not ordained. An abbess governs her monastery with real authority, but she does not celebrate sacraments; a priest provides Mass and confession.
Sources and further reading
- Catechism of the Catholic Church – Holy See (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2nd edition 1997)
- Code of Canon Law – Holy See (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1983)
- Ceremonial of Bishops – Congregation for Divine Worship (Liturgical Press, 1989)
- Ut sive sollicite: Instruction on the Dress, Titles and Coats of Arms of Cardinals, Bishops and Lesser Prelates – Secretariat of State (Holy See, 1969)
- General Instruction of the Roman Missal – Congregation for Divine Worship (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2002)