A prelate is a high-ranking member of the Christian clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin praelatus, the past participle of praeferre, which means 'carry before', 'be set above or over' or 'prefer'; hence, a prelate is one set over others.
Benedictine Archabbot Ildefons Schober in prelate dress and cappa magna
A cardinal, a nuncio and two bishops in Belgium.
In Christianity, a minister is a person authorised by a church or other religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community. The term is taken from Latin minister. In some church traditions the term is usually used for people who have been ordained, but in other traditions it can also be used for non-ordained.
A Lutheran minister wearing a Geneva gown and bands. In many churches, ministers wear distinctive clothing, called vestments, when presiding over services of worship.
Francis of Assisi with the ecclesiastical tonsure. Francis was an ordained deacon.
Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev, the first bishop to be martyred at the time of the Russian Revolution
Scene of baptism. Stained glass from the Sainte-Chapelle of Paris, last quarter of the 12th century.
