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To: PAR35

Interesting. My background is RC. So the line of command from bottom up is priest, monsignor, bishop, cardinal, pope.


43 posted on 04/04/2015 8:15:37 AM PDT by Vaquero (Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
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To: Vaquero

One of the problems with the PCUSA is that they have abandoned Presbyterian polity. In traditional Presbyterian government, the Presbytery (made up of ordained teaching elders with formal theological training (preachers) and ruling elders (ordained laymen with generally no formal theological training) sitting as a group has the power that a Bishop has in a hierarchical church. (This is what distinguishes presbyterians from congregational groups such as Baptists). (Appeals from judicial actions can be made to higher courts)

The PCUSA has gone to a (an?) hierarchical system and has designated the new office of “Executive Presbyter” as being the equivalent of the Bishop. So the PCUSA is technically no longer presbyterian in governance.


44 posted on 04/04/2015 8:30:14 AM PDT by PAR35
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