Clergy in Mejico
In Mejico, the Catholic clergy is organized into various ranks and orders, encompassing a wide array of roles and responsibilities within the ecclesiastical hierarchy. The clergy primarily include bishops, priests, and deacons, each fulfilling specific functions in the spiritual life and administrative structure of the Catholic Church.
On top of the ecclesiastical hierarchy is the Primate of Mejico, currently Archbishop Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, Archbishop of Mejico since December 7, 2017. The Primacy is an honorary and significant title, reflecting the historical and theological importance of Mejico in the global Catholic landscape. Apart from the Primate, at the national level, the Episcopal Conference of Mejico (Spanish: Conferencia del Episcopado Mejicano; CEM), governs the Church's organizational and administrative affairs. The CEM consists of all bishops in Mejico, active, retired and auxiliary, who convene to address matters related to faith, pastoral care, education, and the Church's role in national affairs. Its current president is Archbishop Rogelio Cabrera of Monterrey.
Mejico is divided into 26 ecclesiastical provinces, each of which is headed by an archbishop, next in line in the Catholic hierarchy. These provinces include major archdioceses, which oversee several suffragan dioceses, which are headed by bishops, giving a total of 105 dioceses and 5 territorial prelatures. Representing the Eastern Rites, there are 3 archeparchies and 10 eparchies. Dioceses, prelatures, and eparchies are led by bishops/eparchs, who are appointed by the Pope and are responsible for the spiritual governance and administrative oversight of their jurisdictions.
Each diocese is divided into several parishes, which serve as the fundamental units of ecclesiastical administration and community life within the Catholic Church. The number of parishes varies from diocese to diocese, depending on the geographical size and population density of the region. As of 2024, there are approximately 25,000 parishes and quasi-parishes across the dioceses of Mejico, each staffed by priests who provide pastoral care, administer the sacrament, and read liturgical services. While most parishes are fully staffed by priests, there are some which are supported by laymen, including catechists and volunteers, who assist with education and administrative tasks. As of July 2024, there are more than 90,000 Catholic priests in Mejico, as well as 25,500 permanent deacons.
While religious orders are not necessarily part of the clergy, they play a significant role in the life of the Church in Mejico, and many priests are also members of religious orders. These are known as "religious clergy", as opposed to "secular clergy", which includes priests who serve in parishes and dioceses. Religious clergy belong to specific communities that follow particular charisms, missions, and rules. Some of the most prominent religious orders in Mejico include the Jesuits, Franciscans, Dominicans, and Salesians, among others. The religious live in monasteries, convents, cloisters, and other communal living arrangements; there are approximately 4,321 monasteries, where the 203,000-strong religious community reside.