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The term "pope" was still used loosely until the sixth century, being at times assumed by other bishops. [7] The term "hierarchy" became popular only in the sixth century, due to the writings of Pseudo-Dionysius. [8] As of 31 December 2020, the Catholic Church consisted of 2,903 dioceses or equivalent jurisdictions, [9] each overseen by a bishop.
However, the structure does flow down from a single Anointed Leader who after hearing the arguments of the council reserves the right to make an executive decision and is the final authority on all matters of Doctrine and Practice in the Church.
The lowest level council governs a single local church and is called the session or consistory; [10] its members are called elders. The minister of the church (sometimes referred to as a teaching elder ) is a member of and presides over the session; lay representatives ( ruling elders or, informally, just elders) are elected by the congregation.
The common, generic use of the term, as defined above in terms of rule by a church or analogous religious leadership, may be more accurately described as an ecclesiocracy. [8] In an ecclesiocracy, the religious leaders assume a leading role in the state, but do not claim that they are instruments of divine revelation.
As well as traditional diocesan bishops, many churches have a well-developed structure of church leadership that involves a number of layers of authority and responsibility. [citation needed] Archbishop An archbishop is the bishop of an archdiocese. This is usually a prestigious diocese with an important place in local church history.
The ecclesiological model of Church as an institution holds that the Catholic Church alone is the "one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church", and is the only Church of divine and apostolic origin led by the Pope. This view of the Church is dogmatically defined Catholic doctrine, and is therefore de fide.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), a mainline Lutheran body similar to the ELCA, uses the term "national bishop" for a similar position. Most other Lutheran churches in North America, especially the Confessional Lutheran bodies use a congregationalist structure and call their national leaders "president."