bishop

Bishop is a title used for clergy members in many Christian churches. The word derives from the Latin episcopus, via the Greek episkopos, meaning overseer. In episcopal churches—most notably the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican communions, as well as some Lutheran and Methodist bodies—a bishop is ordained to oversee a geographically defined jurisdiction, such as a diocese. Bishops are regarded as carrying apostolic succession, the belief that their ordination can be traced back to the apostles. They are responsible for teaching doctrine, sanctifying the faithful, and governing the communities under their jurisdiction.

Hierarchy and roles vary by tradition. In many churches, bishops supervise priests and deacons, administer confirmations, ordain new clergy, and preserve church discipline. Some traditions distinguish archbishops or metropolitans, who oversee larger regions or archdioceses; the pope or patriarch sits at the summit in others. Ceremonial vestments often include a miter, a crosier, and a ring. In non-episcopal churches, such as many Reformed or congregational bodies, the episcopal office is absent or has a different structure.

Bishop also refers to the chess piece. In chess, a bishop moves diagonally across the board any number of squares and remains on squares of a single color (light or dark) for the entire game. Each side starts with two bishops, typically valued at three points. Bishops are especially powerful in open positions and in games requiring long-range diagonal control.