Patriarchs in the Church

[Bon_Croix]

Does the Roman Catholic Church currently have Patriarchs?

What is the significance of their title?

 

[Bithynian]

Yes, Venice, Lisbon, Jerusalem and another that’s escaping me. These are the four Patriarchs in the Western Catholic church.

There are several more amongst Eastern Catholic churches. One example is the Armenian Catholic Church.

There’s a long, complex and interesting history around the patriarchal office. It differs especially when you compare developments between the Western Church and the Eastern Church (whether Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic).

Most patriarchates in the Catholic Church (West or East) are essentially synonymous with Archdioceses, but - as a matter of historical privilege - are termed patriarchates with their ordinary bishop being a patriarch.

 

[Vico]

Yes, Venice, Lisbon, Jerusalem and another that’s escaping me. These are the four Patriarchs in the Western Catholic church.

There are several more amongst Eastern Catholic churches. One example is the Armenian Catholic Church.

There’s a long, complex and interesting history around the patriarchal office. It differs especially when you compare developments between the Western Church and the Eastern Church (whether Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Catholic).

Most patriarchates in the Catholic Church (West or East) are essentially synonymous with Archdioceses, but - as a matter of historical privilege - are termed patriarchates with their ordinary bishop being a patriarch.

• Rome (Pope Francis since 2013)
• Jerusalem (Apostolic Administrator Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa since 2016)
• Lisbon (Cardinal Manuel José Macário do Nascimento Clemente since 2013)
• Venice (Patriarch Francesco Moraglia since 2012)
• East Indies (Patriarch Filipe Neri António Sebastião do Rosário Ferrão since 2004)
• West Indies (vacant since 1963)

Thanks to @InThePew that posted the list about the same time.

 

[Digitnomy]

Rome (Pope Francis since 2013)

Is Francis actually considered Patriarch of the West? I thought that title was dropped by Benedict 10-15 years ago.

 

[dochawk]

Yes, Venice, Lisbon, Jerusalem and another that’s escaping me. These are the four Patriarchs in the Western Catholic church.

There are several more amongst Eastern Catholic churches. One example is the Armenian Catholic Church.

Yes, but . . .

The RCC patriarchs have an honorary title, while the EC and EO are, well, patriarchs of churches.

Is Francis actually considered Patriarch of the West? I thought that title was dropped by Benedict 10-15 years ago.

While the title is no longer used, the Bishop of Rome is in fact the patriarch of the west, and the the only one with actual patriarchal authority.

 

[Vico]

Vico:

Rome (Pope Francis since 2013)

Is Francis actually considered Patriarch of the West? I thought that title was dropped by Benedict 10-15 years ago.

Patriarch of the West is not used. Historically there have been many Latin patriarchates:

• Roma, but Rome favored the triple Petrine See of Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch.
• Jerusalem
• Aquieia (suppressed 1751)
• Grado (suppressed 1451)
• Lisboa
• Venezia
• Alexandria (suppressed 1964)
• Antioch (suppressed 1964)
• Constantinople (suppressed 1964)
• East Indies
• Indias Occidentales

 

[commenter]

Any ideas why Pope Benedict dropped the title “Patriarch of the West”?

 

[dochawk]

not a one.

Given his prior writings, I would have expected him to emphasize it . . .