bishop

EXPLANATION

A bishop is someone who is a pastoral leader and administrator in church communities which have a strong structural element (such as Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox). A bishop is in charge of a definite area called a diocese. All members of the church in a diocese and all its institutions (e.g., schools and hospitals) are under the bishop’s authority in most church-related matters.

The background to the sign on the left is an outdated practice in the past, when people used to kiss the ring worn by the bishop as a symbol of his role as a leader.

DISTRIBUTION

Let us know if your Deaf community or church use this sign. Please tell us where in Australia you are, and the name or denomination of your church.

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