Catholic Clergy Roles: Cathedral Chapters and Archbishops

Cathedral Chapter

The word derives from the Latin capitulum, meaning council, and referred to the community of clerics forming the permanent council of the Bishop. Historically, it provided legal assistance to the head of the diocese. It consists of priests called canons, who are granted a sinecure, i.e., a specific role within the daily activities of the cathedral. They are responsible for holding the most solemn ceremonies that take place in the cathedral or collegiate church. Therefore, they are directly related to matters of worship.

The chapter has its own constitution and a president, known as the dean of the cathedral. One prominent member is the canon penitentiary, who has the authority to grant absolution in the sacramental sphere to those affected by certain censures (latae sententiae, meaning automatically incurred penalties as defined in the Code of Canon Law). This canon possesses special faculties but cannot grant absolution for sins reserved to the Pope or the Bishop. The role of the canon penitentiary is a specific priestly function within the diocese.

Types of Archbishops

An archbishop is a bishop holding the title of an archdiocese. There are several types:

• Metropolitan Archbishop: The archbishop of the central archdiocese within an ecclesiastical province comprising several dioceses (called suffragan dioceses). The Metropolitan has full episcopal powers in his own archdiocese and limited jurisdiction and oversight over the suffragan dioceses. The pallium, conferred by the Pope, symbolizes their status as Metropolitan.
• Titular Archbishop: An archbishop holding the title of an archdiocese that no longer exists except in name (a titular see). They do not have ordinary jurisdiction over an archdiocese based on this title.
• Archbishop ad personam: An honorary personal title granted to some bishops as a distinction. They do not have ordinary jurisdiction over an archdiocese based on this title alone.
• Archbishop Primate: An honorary title granted to the archbishop of the oldest or most historically significant archdiocese in certain countries or regions. For example, the Archbishop of Toledo holds this title in Spain.
• Coadjutor Archbishop: An assistant archbishop appointed with the right of succession to the current archbishop.