How do bishops interact with the local parish, and why is the work of the bishop important to the typical parishioner?
When the bishop presides at a baptism he or she represents the whole church, for the individual being baptized is becoming a member of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church in its broadest sense. It is also in this capacity that he or she administers the Confirmation and ordains persons to the ministry. The bishop travels throughout the diocese during the year to be present in parishes at scheduled Confirmation services and at other times as appropriate and/or as invited. In addition to sacramental and teaching roles, the bishop might play an important role when a parish is in transition, in resolving conflicts at the parish level if such conflicts require either a pastoral consultative presence or a disciplinary intervention.
