Synod of Bishops

A council of bishops convened under a church’s governing rules to deliberate, advise, or make decisions. Its authority and procedures vary among Christian traditions.

Synod: An assembly convened by a religious body to deliberate or decide matters of governance and doctrine. This broader term includes many kinds of church assemblies, including gatherings of bishops.
Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church: A permanent institution of the Catholic Church that brings bishops together to advise the pope on church matters. It is a prominent modern institution bearing this name, with a consultative role.
Ecumenical council: A council recognized as representing the universal church and settling matters of doctrine or discipline. An ecumenical council claims broader authority and representation than many synods.
Church council: A formal assembly of church leaders convened to address doctrine, discipline, or governance. Synods belong to the wider practice of collective ecclesiastical decision-making.
Bishop: A senior Christian minister who oversees a diocese or comparable church district. Bishops form the defining membership of the assembly.
General Synod of the Church of England: The representative governing body of the Church of England, including bishops, clergy, and laity. It shows how an assembly including bishops can exercise legislative authority.
Diocesan synod: A local church assembly, often including clergy and lay members, that advises or governs a diocese. It operates within one diocese rather than gathering bishops across a church.
Collegiality: Shared responsibility and authority among members of a governing body. A synod expresses the principle that bishops deliberate and act together.
Episcopal polity: A church governance system in which bishops exercise authority over clergy and congregations. This structure gives bishops a formal role in collective church governance.
Lambeth Conference: A periodic gathering of bishops from Anglican churches around the world. It is a global episcopal gathering whose resolutions guide rather than govern provinces.

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