SYMBOLS OF THE BISHOP

THE BISHOP'S CHAIR

The cathedral houses the bishop's throne, or cathedra, (which is the Latin word for "seat" or "chair"). In the
ancient world, the chair was not only the symbol of a teacher but also of a magistrate. Thus, the cathedra
symbolizes the bishop’s role as teacher and as the governing authority of the diocese.

CROSIER
The crosier is a pastoral staff that is conferred on bishops (and abbots). The top of the
staff is curved to remind the bishop of the shepherd’s crook and of his pastoral care
of the people entrusted to him. It symbolizes the bishop’s duty to keep watch over his
whole flock, sustaining the weak and wavering, solidifying the faith, and leading those
gone astray back into the true fold.

ZUCCHETTO
The zucchetto is a skullcap worn as part of the liturgical and choir dress of the pope,
cardinals, bishops, abbots and priests. During the 13th century, it was developed to
cover the tonsure (portion of hair that is shaved when a man entered into the clerical
state.) The pope wears a white zucchetto; cardinals, a red zucchetto; and bishops,
a purple zucchetto. Black is reserved for all others.

PECTORAL CROSS
The pectoral cross is worn by the pope, cardinals, bishops and abbots. Tradition holds
that reliquaries of the True Cross were worn over the heart; hence, the modern day
custom of it being worn over the breast (pectus). The pectoral cross reflects the dignity
of the office of bishop or abbot. The cross is either worn suspended from a ceremonial
cord at liturgical services or on a chain with his clerical suit.

MITER
In the Latin Rite, the miter is the liturgical headdress for all bishops. The miter’s origins
can be traced back to the 10th century. At the time it was exclusively worn by the pope;
however, over the course of the next 200 years, bishops began to wear the miter as a
mark of their office and authority. The miter consists of two stiffened flaps of material
joined by a headband with two fringed strips hanging from the back base.

THE BISHOP’S RING

With a purpose of linking the ministry of the pope to the ministry of St. Peter the
Apostle, the ring was originally known as the “Fisherman’s Ring.” By the 11th century,
all bishops adopted the custom as a reminder of their participation in the ministry of
the Apostles. The ring also symbolizes the bishop’s fidelity to and nuptial bond with the
Church, his spouse. The ring is worn at all times as a visible sign of his apostolic ministry.

SOURCE: Information adapted from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.