vyskupas

Vyskupas is the Lithuanian title for a bishop within the Roman Catholic Church. The term is masculine; the feminine form is vyskupė, and the plural vyskupai. A vyskupas governs a diocese, supervising its parishes, clergy, and institutions, and presiding over diocesan liturgies. Higher-ranking bishops are called arkivyskupas (archbishop).

Role and duties: He teaches the Catholic faith, confirms the faithful, ordains priests and deacons, and oversees the administration of sacraments. He represents the diocese in relations with civil authorities and with the national church structure, such as the Lietuvos vyskupų konferencija (Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference).

Appointment and tenure: Bishops are appointed by the pope; they are consecrated as bishops in a liturgical ceremony if not already ordained as priests. They typically serve for life, though retirement as emeritus bishops is possible.

History and context: In Lithuania, bishops have played a central role since the Christianization of the country in the Middle Ages. The Catholic Church remains a major religious and cultural presence; today the bishops work together through the Lithuanian Bishops' Conference to coordinate pastoral activities, education, and charitable efforts across the country.

Etymology: The word vyskupas derives from the Latin episcopus, via historical Christian usage and contact with neighboring languages. It is the Baltic-language term for bishop and is cognate with terms in related languages.