Hierarchy of the Catholic Church

Important titles or functions usually, but not necessarily, held by (arch)bishops who are not in charge of a diocese or an equivalent community include those of Apostolic Delegate, Apostolic Nuncio, Papal Legate, Patriarchal Vicar, Pontifical Delegate. Ordinaries and local ordinariesLocal ordinaries are placed over or exercise ordinary executive power in particular churches or equivalent communities. The Supreme Pontiff (the Pope) is a local ordinary for the whole Catholic Church.In Eastern Catholic Churches, Patriarchs, major archbishops, and metropolitans have ordinary power of governance for the whole territory of their respective autonomous particular churches.Diocesanbishops and eparchial eparchsOther prelates who head, even if only temporarily, a particular church or a community equivalent to it (see above)Vicars general and protosyncelliEpiscopal vicars and syncelliMajor superiors of religious institutes (including abbots) and of societies of apostolic life are ordinaries of their respective memberships, but not local ordinaries. PresbyterateIn generalBishops are assisted by priests and deacons. All priests and deacons are incardinated in a diocese or religious order. Parish