Auxiliary Bishop

Functionally the bishop was archiereus or archipresbuteros of the incipient Christian congregation, and the remaining priest-presbyters were his assistants. The multiplication of congregations, however, necessitated new measures, and the special meaning of coadjutor* and suffragan* reflect these. Again in modern times with the growth of urban areas under the bishop's jurisdiction, special assistance is often required; those elevated to meet these needs, but without right of succession, can be designated “auxiliary.” While in the United States this is Roman Catholic usage, the Protestant Episcopal Church employs “suffragan” in this sense.