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[German Version] I. Catholic Church – II. Protestantism I. Catholic Church A godparent or sponsor is a Christian who (along with the parents) accompanies the baptizand or confirmand on his or her path to Christian initiation. The earliest precursors of godparents are already mentioned in the Traditio apostolica (15 and 20) and Tertullian ( Bapt. 18). The office originated in the nascent catechumenate (I) and in the growing practice of infant baptism. To counter tendencies during the Middle Ages to increase the number of godparents, the Council of Trent ¶ imposed a limit of one godf…

[German Version] (abbreviated as Mgr) is a form of address for dignitaries of the church, especially for holders of ¶ an honorary papal title for clerics, awarded in three classes: 1. Apostolic Protonotary, 2. Honorary Prelate of His Holiness, 3. Chaplain of His Holiness. In German-speaking countries, only members of the last group are normally addressed as Monsignor. Ludger Müller Bibliography Paul VI, Motu proprio pontificalis domus, Mar 28, 1968, no. 8, AAS 60, 1968, 305–315 (esp. 314).

[German Version] I. Church History – II. Church Law I. Church History Following the political order, the parish of the bishop developed, from the 4th century, on the model of the city; it was termed a “paroecia” until the 12th century. Innocent I was probably the first to call it, as it has been generally termed since the 13th century, a “diocese.” The English equivalent “bishopric” primarily expresses the constitutive role of the bishop in his bishopric. Ludger Müller Bibliography H.E. Feine, Kirchliche Rechtsgeschichte, 51972, 97–100, 104f. (bibl.). II. Church Law The terms bish…

[German Version] I. Auxiliary Bishop – II. Chorbishop – III. Regional Bishop – IV. Suffragan Bishop – V. Titular Bishop – VI. Vicar Bishop I. Auxiliary Bishop An auxiliary bishop is a bishop appointed at the request of a diocesan bishop to assist him in administration of the diocese. His rights, duties, and official functions are defined by canon law ( CIC cc. 403–411) and his letter of appointment. An auxiliary bishop is a member of the Bishops' Conference. Unlike a coadjutor, an auxiliary bishop does not have the right of succession. Wilhelm Rees Bibliography J. Listl, “Koadjutor-…