View source for Order of precedence in the Catholic Church

{{Short description|Relative preeminence of officials for ceremonial purposes}}
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Precedence signifies the right to enjoy a prerogative of honor before other persons; for example, to have the most distinguished place in a procession, a ceremony, or an assembly, to have the right to express an opinion, cast a vote, or append a signature before others, to perform the most honorable offices.<ref name=ce>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Precedence}}</ref>

The [[order of precedence]] in the [[Catholic Church]] is organized by rank within the [[Catholic Church hierarchy|hierarchy]] according first to [[Holy orders in the Catholic Church|order]], then [[Ecclesiastical jurisdiction|jurisdiction]], and finally to [[Titular see|titular]] or ''ad personam'' honors granted to individuals despite a lack of jurisdiction. Emeritus ecclesiastics are counted among the latter.

==Sources==
At this time, a current table of precedence in its entirety is not published by the Holy See. However, the principles of precedence present in the ''Codes of Canon Law'', and the customs of precedence longstanding, inform any formulation of an order of precedence. Some contemporary authors<ref>{{cite book|last1=Noonan|first1=James Charles|title=The Church Visible: Ceremonial Life and Protocol of the Catholic Church|date=2012|publisher=Sterling Ethos|location=New York|isbn=9781402787300|pages=504|edition=Revised}}</ref> have compiled helpful, though unofficial, reference texts with a table of precedence based on such principles.

Though the 1911 [[Catholic Encyclopedia]]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Noonan|title=Church Visible|pages=196}}</ref> offered a brief order of precedence based on these principles, it was updated and replaced by the [[New Catholic Encyclopedia]] in 1967, which was further updated with a ''Revised Edition'' in 2002.<ref>{{cite book|title=New Catholic Encyclopedia|date=2002|publisher=Gale|isbn=978-0787640040|pages=15 vols.|edition=Revised}}</ref> The current ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' does not include an entry on "precedence". Since the publication of the first edition, in 1911, several changes have rendered its order of precedence substantially out of date, including the publication of three codes of canon law (1917, 1983, 1990), an ecumenical council (1962–65), and multiple apostolic constitutions that affect the topic.

==Principles and customs==
As noted above, the first consideration for precedence is always the hierarchy of order for the ordained: first [[Catholic bishop|bishops]], then [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|priests]], (also referred to as 
[[Catholic priest|presbyters]] in formal documents and settings), and lastly, [[deacon]]s. The following are not part of the hierarchy of order: [[Religious (Catholicism)|religious]] men and women (such as monks and nuns), [[seminary|seminarians]] and the 
[[Catholic laity|Laity]] (including [[lay ecclesial ministers]], et al.) 

The next principle is the hierarchy of [[Ecclesiastical jurisdiction|jurisdiction]]: one who has authority over other persons has the right of precedence over them.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Peters|first1=Edward N.|title=1917 Code of Canon Law|date=2001|publisher=Ignatius Press|location=San Francisco|page=106.2}}</ref>  This considers a person's office, and therefore can include laity, particularly [[lay ecclesial minister]]s and religious.

Relatedly, those with jurisdiction take precedence over those with [[Titular see|titular]], ''ad personam'', or emeritus titles, so someone serving in a specific office (e.g., diocesan bishop) has precedence over someone with a titular claim to the same rank (e.g., titular bishop) or someone who used to serve in an equivalent office (e.g., a retired bishop).

Generally speaking, function, or the exercise of office, has precedence over purely honorary titles. ''De facto'' precedence should be applied where, a non-ordained religious or lay ecclesial minister serves in an office equivalent listed below (e.g., a diocesan director of Catholic Education is an equal office to an episcopal vicar, a pastoral life director an equal office to pastor, though with respect to the principle of the hierarchy of order noted above).

Among honorary titles, geographic extent is considered (e.g., the national primate has precedence over a titular patriarch, as the former has an honorary title extending over an entire country, but the latter only over a single diocese).

If two persons hold the same office, precedence is given to the one of a higher order (e.g., of two episcopal vicars, one being a presbyter and the other an auxiliary bishop, the bishop takes precedence).<ref>{{cite book|title=1917 Code of Canon Law|page=106.3}}</ref>

If two persons are of the same order and office, the one who was promoted earlier takes precedence (e.g., of two metropolitan archbishops, whoever was promoted to a metropolitan see first has precedence).<ref>{{cite book|title=1917 Code of Canon Law|page=106.3}}</ref>

If two persons of the same order and office were promoted at the same time, precedence goes to the one who was ordained first (to that order) (e.g., of two priests appointed as pastors at the same time, whoever was ordained presbyter first has precedence).<ref>{{cite book|title=1917 Code of Canon Law|page=106.3}}</ref>

In the case of cardinals of the same rank created at the same consistory, precedence is given according to the order in which their names were published.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Noonan|title=Church Visible|page=194}}</ref>

In their own dioceses, bishops have precedence before other bishops and archbishops, but not before their own metropolitan.<ref name=ce/> A metropolitan archbishop has precedence before all other bishops and archbishops (except the Pope, his Patriarch, or his Primate) within his own province, and a patriarch has precedence over other patriarchs within his own jurisdiction.

Similarly, in their own parishes, pastors have precedence before other presbyters and deacons, even monsignors, but not before their own [[Dean (Christianity)|dean]] or [[archdeacon]].

Diplomatic precedence in the Holy See's diplomatic corps incorporates the [[Congress of Vienna]] (1815) and the updated [[Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations]] (1961). The office of [[nuncio]] (papal ambassador) is primarily a diplomatic rank and not of an ecclesiastical nature. Most nuncios are ordained as titular archbishops, and would be ranked accordingly. If, however, the nuncio is present in a diocese or at an event acting as the personal representative of the pope, as for example at the ordination of a bishop, he is granted precedence accordingly, taking precedence over even cardinals present.

Patriarchs of autonomous (''sui juris'') churches have precedence above all other bishops of any rank, but not cardinals as stated in the [[1917 Code of Canon Law|1917 ''Code of Canon Law'']],<ref name=":0">[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/LAT0813/_PO.HTM Code of Canon Law (1917), can. 239 §1 21°]</ref> continuing the observance of tradition as reaffirmed in the [[First Vatican Council]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Charles Augustine |first=Rev P. |url=https://archive.org/details/acommentaryonthe00bachuoft/page/36/mode/2up?view=theater&q=precedence |title=A commentary on the new Code of canon Law |date=1918 |publisher=St. Louis : B. Herder Book Co |others=Kelly - University of Toronto}}</ref> While the [[1983 Code of Canon Law|1983 ''Code of Canon Law'']] no longer addresses the question of precedence, the ''motu proprio'' ''[[Ad purpuratorum patrum collegium]]'' of 11 February 1965 stated that [[Eastern-rite Catholic|Eastern Rite]] Patriarch who is created a cardinal maintain his see and join the order of cardinal bishops.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Ad Purpuratorum Patrum Collegium - De loco Patriarcharum Orientalium in Sacro Cardinalium Collegio, Litterae Apostolicae Motu Proprio datae, Die 11 m. Februarii, a. 1965, Paulus PP.VI |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/la/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19650211_ad-purpuratorum.html |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=www.vatican.va}}</ref>

Finally, the Can. 58 of the [[Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches|1990 ''Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches'']] states that while generally speaking the patriarchs precede all the bishops, exception is made if the Roman Pontiff has established special norms of precedece, that is the case for cardinals. 

{{Verse translation|Patriarchae Ecclesiarum orientalium ubique terrarum praecedunt omnes Episcopos cuiuscumque gradus salvis normis specialibus de praecedentia a Romano Pontifice statutis.|Patriarchs of Eastern Churches precede all bishops of any degree everywhere in the world, with due regard for special norms of precedence established by the Roman Pontiff.|lang=la|}}

==Order of precedence==
===Order of precedence in general===
#'''The [[Pope]]'''
#''The [[Patriarch of Constantinople]]''<ref>As stated in the Can. 3 of the [[First Council of Constantinople]], and the Can. 28 of the [[Council of Chalcedon]].</ref> [when in communion]
#[[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]]s
##[[Cardinal-bishop]]s
###[[Dean of the Sacred College]]
###[[Vice-Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals|Vice-Dean of the Sacred College]]
###Other Cardinal-bishops of [[Suburbicarian diocese|Suburbicarian Sees]] (by date of elevation)
##[[Eastern-rite Catholic|Eastern Rite]] Patriarchs who are cardinal<ref name=":1" />
##[[Cardinal-presbyter]]s 
###[[Cardinal Protopriest of the Holy Roman Church|Cardinal Protopresbyter]]
###Other Cardinal-presbyters (by date of elevation)
##[[Cardinal-deacon]]s 
###[[Cardinal Protodeacon]]
###Other Cardinal-deacons (by date of elevation)
#[[Patriarch]]s of ''[[sui iuris]]'' churches<ref>[https://orthocath.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/1990_code_of_canons_of_the_eastern_churches.pdf Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (1990), can. 58]</ref>
##The [[Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria]]
##Patriarchs of [[Antioch]], in order of promotion to the Patriarchal dignity, currently:
###The [[Maronite Patriarch of Antioch]]
###The [[Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch]]
###The [[Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch|Melkite Patriarch of Antioch, of Alexandria, and of Jerusalem]]
## The [[Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem|Patriarch of Jerusalem]] [when in communion]
##The [[Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate of Babylon|Patriarch]] of [[List of Chaldean Catholic Patriarchs of Babylon|Baghdad]] of the [[Chaldean Catholic Church|Chaldeans]]
##The [[Patriarchate of Cilicia|Patriarch]] of [[List of Armenian Catholic Patriarchs of Cilicia|Cilicia]] of the [[Armenian Catholic Church|Armenians]]
##Patriarchs emeritus, in the same order
#[[Major Archbishop]]s of ''[[sui iuris]]'' churches<ref>1990 Code of Canons for the Oriental Churches, [http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_P4A.HTM Canon 154] {{color|ivory|Major archbishops hold the precedence of honor immediately after patriarchs according to the order in which the Church over which they preside was erected as a major archiepiscopal Church.}}</ref>
##The [[List of Major Archbishops of Kyiv–Galicia|Major Archbishop of Kyiv–Galicia]] ([[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church]])
##The Major [[Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly]] ([[Syro-Malabar Church]])
##The Major [[List of archbishops of Trivandrum|Archbishop of Trivandrum]] ([[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church]])
##The [[List of Major Archbishops of Fagaras and Alba Julia|Major Archbishop of Făgăraş and Alba Julia]] ([[Romanian Greek Catholic Church]])
#Primates or [[Episcopal Conference]] Presidents
#Titular Latin Patriarchs<ref name=":0" />
##The [[Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem]]
##The Latin [[Patriarch of Lisbon]]
##The Latin [[Patriarch of Venice]]
##The Latin [[Patriarch of the East Indies]]
##The Latin [[Patriarch of the West Indies]] (vacant since 1963)
#[[Archbishop]]s
##[[Metropolitan Archbishop]]s
##Diocesan [[Archbishop]]s (non-Metropolitan)
##[[Coadjutor Archbishop]]s
##[[Archbishop#Archbishops ad personam|Archbishops ''ad personam'']]
##[[Titular Archbishop]]s
#[[Bishop (Catholic Church)|Bishop]]s
##[[Diocesan Bishop]]s
##[[Coadjutor Bishop]]s
##[[Titular Bishop]]s (e.g., [[auxiliary bishop|auxiliaries]]) or [[Chorbishop]]s
#Ordinaries of territorial jurisdictions other than dioceses
##[[Territorial Prelate]] (formerly, prelate ''nullius'')<ref>{{cite book|title=Code of Canon Law|date=1983|page=370}}</ref>
##[[Territorial Abbot]] (formerly, abbot ''nullius'')
##[[Vicar apostolic]] 
##[[Exarch|Exarch apostolic]]
##[[Apostolic prefect|Prefect apostolic]]
##[[Apostolic administrator]]
#Ordinaries of personal (non-territorial) jurisdictions
##Supreme Moderators of Institutes of Consecrated Life or Societies of Apostolic Life ("[[Superiors General]]")
##Prelate of [[Personal prelature]]
##Ordinary of [[Personal ordinariate]] or [[Military ordinariate]]
##Presidents of international [[associations of the faithful]]
#Ordinaries (vicarious)
##[[Diocesan administrator]]s (formerly, vicar capitular)
##[[Archdeacon]]s 
##[[Vicars general]] or [[protosyncellus]]
##[[Episcopal vicar|Vicars episcopal]] 
##[[Provincial superior|Provincial Superiors]]
#[[Protonotary apostolic]] ([[Monsignor]]) 
##De Numero
##Supernumerary
#Members of the [[Order of Pope Pius IX]]
##Knight/Dame Grand Cross with Collar
##Knight/Dame Grand Cross
##Knight/Dame Grand Officer
##Knight/Dame Commander
##Knight/Dame
#[[Canon (priest)|Canons]] of
##[[Metropolitan bishop|Metropolitan chapters]]
##[[Cathedral|Cathedral chapters]]
##[[College (canon law)|Collegiate Chapters]]
#[[Diocesan Consultors]]
#[[Honorary Prelate of His Holiness|Honorary Prelates of His Holiness]] (Monsignor)
#Members of the [[Order of St. Gregory the Great]]
##Knight/Dame Grand Cross
##Knight/Dame Commander with Star
##Knight/Dame Commander
##Knight/Dame
#[[Chaplain of His Holiness|Chaplains of His Holiness]] (Monsignor), [[Archpriest]]s, and [[Archimandrites]]
#Members of the [[Order of St. Sylvester]]
##Knight/Dame Grand Cross
##Knight/Dame Commander with Star
##Knight/Dame Commander
##Knight/Dame
#Recipients of the [[Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice]] Medal
#[[Vicars forane]] & [[Dean (Christianity)|Deans]]
#Recipients of the [[Benemerenti Medal]]
#[[Pastor]]s or Pastoral Life Coordinators<ref>{{cite book|title=Code of Canon Law|date=1983|page=517.2}}</ref> (Parish Priests) 
#[[Parochial vicar]]s or Pastoral Associates (Curates) 
#[[Deacon]]s

===Precedence of forms of consecrated life===
Within each category, precedence is determined by the date of founding of the institute, society, or association. 
# Forms of Individual Consecrated Life 
## [[Consecrated virgins]]
## [[Hermit]]s
## [[Consecrated_life#Other_forms|Consecrated Widows and Widowers]]
#[[Institutes of Consecrated Life]]
## [[Religious institute]]s
### [[Monasticism|Monastic Orders]] (monks/nuns)
### [[Canons Regular]]
### [[Mendicant Orders]] (friars/nuns)
### [[Clerics Regular]]
### Clerical Religious Congregations
### Lay Religious Congregations
## [[Secular institute]]s
### Clerical Secular Institutes
### Lay Secular Institutes
# [[Society of apostolic life|Societies of Apostolic Life]]
# [[Personal prelature]]s
# Clerical Associations
##Public Clerical Associations
##Private Clerical Associations
# [[Associations of the faithful|Associations of the Christian Faithful]] or Lay Movements
## Public Associations
### [[Third Orders]], Oblates, etc.
### [[Archconfraternities]]
### [[Confraternities]]
### Other Associations
## Private Associations

===Precedence within religious institutes===
#[[Superior General|Superiors General]] of [[religious institute]]s
#Assistants Superiors General
##Procurator-general
##Definitors-general 
#[[Provincial superior]], [[Prior (ecclesiastical)|Provincial prior]], [[Archimandrite]]
#[[Religious superior]] - Monastic superiors
##[[Abbot]]
##[[Prior (ecclesiastical)|conventual prior]]
##Obedientiary prior
#Second
##Claustral prior or [[Dean (Christianity)|Deans]]
##Sub-prior 
#[[Archimandrite]], honorary
#[[Hieromonk]]s (priests of religious institutes)
#[[Brother (Catholic)|Religious Brother]]s and [[Religious Sister|Sisters]]<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Religious Life}}</ref>

===Precedence within chapters===
#[[Dean (Christianity)|Dean]]/[[Provost (religion)|Provost]] or other heads of chapters
#Other officers (treasurer, a secretary, and a sacristan, canon theologian, canon penitentiary)
#[[Canon (priest)|Capitulars or canons]]<ref>{{CathEncy|wstitle=Chapter}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Hierarchy of the Catholic Church]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

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