With the Catholic religion, there are many roles and tiles within the hierarchy of the church. Additionally most have their own unique type or style of Christian hats which have been stapled through history. Many may be aware of the Pope, Archbishops and Cardinals, but did you know there are so many more? Holy Hats and Caps takes you through each level/title/role in the Catholic church. Learn more about this historical religion now.
Titles and Roles - The Catholic Religion
The Catholic religion is one of the oldest religions in the world. It is believed to have been founded by Jesus Christ himself and is based on his teachings. The Catholic Church has been around for over 2,000 years and is still one of the largest religions in the world.

The Deacon(s) at the Catholic church?
A Catholic Deacon is ordained to serve the people of God and is the first order of ministry after the priesthood. The primary role of the deacon is to proclaim the Gospel, administer the sacraments, and preach. Deacons also have a pastoral role in their parishes, serving the people in a variety of ways. Often they are involved in ministering to the sick, working with the poor, and teaching.
There are three types of deacons in the Catholic Church: permanent, transitional, and sacramental. Permanent deacons are ordained for life and can preside at weddings, baptisms, and funerals. Transitional deacons are ordained for a period of time and cannot preside over liturgies. Sacramental deacons are not ordained, but receive their commissioning through a special ceremony. They can perform only those ministries delegated to them by a priest or bishop.
Ordained Priest - Lifetime of Service
An ordained priest is a man who has been selected by a religious organization to lead religious worship and perform other religious duties. He may also be responsible for teaching religious doctrine and administering the sacraments. In many cases, an ordained priest is the highest ranking member of a church or other religious institution.
When a priest is ordained, he commits himself to a lifetime of service to the Catholic Church. He is entrusted with the responsibility of guiding and teaching the faith to the people of God. He becomes a spiritual father to his parishioners, offering them guidance and support in their spiritual journey. Through the sacrament of ordination, the priest is consecrated to Christ and receives the power to perform the sacred ministry of the Church. He is called to be a witness to God's love and mercy, and to proclaim the Gospel with zeal and conviction.
Diocesan Bishops - The Home Of The Parish
There are several offices within the Catholic Church hierarchy, including the diocesan bishop. This position is the chief shepherd of a diocese, which is a geographical area that is divided up into parishes. The bishop is responsible for ensuring that the Catholic faith is taught and lived out in these parishes, as well as for overseeing various social service programs and ministries. He also has a role in appointing priests and other church leaders.
Archbishop or Chief of Diocese?
An Archbishop is a bishop who is the chief or head bishop of a diocese. He may have jurisdiction over all the other bishops in his ecclesiastical province. In some cases, he may even have jurisdiction over other provinces. A true monarch of different regions and potentially vastly different areas. They have a full connection with each and every member in their reach.
The process of becoming an Archbishop in the Catholic church is a complicated one. It requires years of training and service in the church hierarchy. The aspiring Archbishop must be a priest and have served as a bishop for at least five years. He must also be well-educated in theology and Church law. His heart must be true and belong to the Lord. His dedication must be apparent and forever stark.
As a first step of becoming an Archbishop usually begins with the Pope appointing a candidate to become a bishop. The candidate is then assigned to a diocese where he will serve for a number of years. After completing his term as bishop, the candidate is then appointed to become an Archbishop. Archbishops were some of the most famous Christian hats stylings in the world. Truly a unique look.
Metropolitan Bishops - Top Ranked
Metropolitan bishops are the highest ranking bishops in the Catholic Church. They are responsible for overseeing a group of dioceses, which are similar to states in the United States. Metropolitan bishops are also responsible for appointing and approving new bishops. A metropolitan bishop is addressed as "Your Excellency."
The steps to become of a metropolitan bishop in the Catholic Church is a lengthy and complicated one. First, the individual must be nominated by the Pope. Once the nomination has been made, the individual must then be approved by the College of Cardinals. After approval is given by the Cardinals, the individual must then be appointed by the Pope. Finally, the individual must receive confirmation from the local bishops.
Primates - PPCPCU (achoo)
Primates in the Catholic Church are the most senior bishops in a national or regional church. They are usually elected by the synod of bishops from among the bishops of the country they serve. In the Latin rite, they are usually styled "Archbishop" or "Metropolitan Archbishop". The President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity is always a Primate.

The current primate of all Ireland is Archbishop Eamon Martin. He succeeded Archbishop Seán Brady in August 2014. Pope Francis is the most famous primate of the Catholic church. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1936. He was ordained as a priest in 1969 and became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. He was elected as the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church on March 13th, 2013. As Pope, Francis has made many headlines due to his stances on social issues and his dedication to simplicity.
Cardinals - Not The Bird
Cardinals are the most senior members of the Catholic church after the pope. They are appointed by the pope and are responsible for governing dioceses. They also participate in the selection of new popes. Some of the more famous Cardinals include Keith O'Brien, the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh in Scotland; Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York; and George Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney.
Do you want to start the journey stepping into the cardinal role? The process is of being a cardinal in the Catholic Church is a long and rigorous one. First, the person must be a priest who has been ordained for at least 10 years. They must also be bishop or above in rank. Their hearts must be pure and true. They must see with the eyes of the Lord. They must be forever thankful and forgiving.
Next, the Pope selects a group of priests from all over the world to be cardinal electors. These priests must be under the age of 80 and have displayed exemplary behavior. Finally, the Pope chooses a new cardinal from this group of priests. This person is usually chosen for their pastoral work or for their knowledge of the Catholic Church.
Major Archbishop - Overseeing Many
A Major Archbishop is the highest ranking bishop in the Catholic Church. They are in charge of a particular geographic region, called an archdiocese. Major Archbishops usually have jurisdiction over several other dioceses within their region. They are also responsible for appointing new bishops and overseeing the activities of all the Catholic churches in their area.
The Process
There are three steps to becoming a Major Archbishop in the Catholic Church: first, the candidate must be appointed by the Pope; secondly, the candidate must be confirmed by the bishops of the church; and thirdly, the candidate must be accepted by the people.
The appointment of a Major Archbishop is at the discretion of the Pope. The Pope may appoint any Catholic bishop as a Major Archbishop, regardless of his rank within the Church. The only requirement is that the bishop is in full communion with the Catholic Church. The confirmation of a Major Archbishop is a two-step process. First, the bishops of the church must approve of the appointment. Second, the people must also accept the appointment.
Patriarchs - Leaders Of The Church
Patriarchs are revered leaders in the Catholic Church and are considered to be spiritual fathers to all of the faithful. They are responsible for the guidance and welfare of their particular diocese or church community. The patriarchs carry out their duties through their preaching, teaching and pastoral care. They also have a role in liturgical celebrations and act as a point of reference for theological discussions.
Pope Francis has appointed five new patriarchs since his election in 2013, all of whom were chosen from within the church's College of Cardinals. But what makes someone eligible for the role of patriarch, and how does one become a patriarch in the Catholic Church? The patriarch is the head of a Catholic church jurisdiction, which can be a diocese, eparchy, or apostolic vicariate. To be eligible for the role, a man must be ordained a bishop and have been serving as a bishop for at least five years.
The Pope - Under God
The Pope is the head of the Catholic church. He is the successor to Saint Peter, who was the first Bishop of Rome. The Pope is elected by the Cardinals of the Catholic church, and he must be a baptized Catholic who is over the age of 40. The Pope is the spiritual leader of Catholics around the world, and he serves as the Bishop of Rome.
Pope Francis – the current leader of the Catholic church – has considerably less power than his predecessors. While the Pope is still an influential figure, he no longer has direct control over matters such as church doctrine or religious appointments. This change reflects increasing secularization in developed countries, and a growing trend towards religious pluralism.
The Pope does retain some important powers, such as the ability to excommunicate Catholics who break church rules. He is also seen as a moral authority, and can sometimes influence public opinion on social issues. However, his authority is now largely symbolic, and he can only act within the bounds of Church doctrine.
The Pope's Hat - Most Famous Christian Hats
The pope's hat, also known as a mitre, is a tall, pointed hat that is worn by Catholic bishops and the pope. The hat is made of gold or other precious metals and is decorated with jewels. The front of the hat is curved and has a pointy peak. While Holy Hats and Caps doesn't currently offer this style of hat, the idea of creating symbolic Christian Hats for any/all, is why we came into business. Shop our collection now!