NBE Funeral Directing Practice Exam

Who is the head of the archdiocese in the Roman Catholic Church?

1. The Pope

2. A bishop

3. An archbishop

4. A cardinal

The correct answer is: An archbishop

The head of an archdiocese in the Roman Catholic Church is an archbishop. An archbishop oversees multiple dioceses within their archdiocese and has a significant role in the administration, pastoral care, and leadership of the Church in that region. This position often includes responsibilities such as ordaining bishops, presiding over important liturgical celebrations, and representing the Church in ecumenical and interfaith dialogues. The pope is the overall leader of the Roman Catholic Church but does not directly oversee individual archdioceses. Bishops are in charge of individual dioceses and report to an archbishop if their diocese falls under an archdiocese, while cardinals hold high ranks within the Church and can serve various roles, including advising the pope or being part of the College of Cardinals, but they are not the direct heads of archdioceses. Hence, the correct answer highlights the specific role and authority associated with an archbishop in the Church's hierarchy.