Within the leadership structure of Anglicanism, you may find several kinds of bishops.

Archbishop

A bishop with administrative and disciplinary authority over other bishops. In the Anglican Communion, an Archbishop is the chief bishop of a province.

Diocesan Bishop

The primary bishop of a diocese. This person is sometimes referred to as “The Ordinary.” 

Bishop Coadjutor

A bishop elected to succeed the Diocesan Bishop. An ordained person consecrated to become the next bishop of a diocese when the Diocesan Bishop retires or resigns.

Suffragan Bishop

A Suffragan Bishop is a permanent bishop who is elected by a convention and assigned responsibilities to assist a Diocesan Bishop, but does not automatically succeed him.

In addition, a Suffragan Bishop can be called upon in an emergency (incapacitation or sudden death of the Diocesan Bishop) to function alongside the canonical leadership of the Executive Leadership Team as an acting Diocesan Bishop until the election of a new one.

Assistant Bishop

A bishop appointed by the Diocesan Bishop to assist him and serve under his direction. An Assistant Bishop has the spiritual and liturgical rank of a bishop and in most circumstances, can perform the same episcopal duties.

Assisting Bishop

A bishop appointed by the Diocesan Bishop to provide short-term assistance with episcopal duties in the diocese.

Learn more about C4SO’s search for a Suffragan Bishop.