Chapter (religion)

Achapter(Latin:capitulum^[1]orcapitellum)^[2]is one of several bodies of clergy inCatholic,Old Catholic,Anglican,and NordicLutheran churchesor their gatherings.

Name

The name derives from the habit of conveningmonksorcanonsfor the reading of achapterof theBibleor aheadingof theorder'srule.^[2]The 6th-centurySt Benedict directedthathis monksbegin their daily assemblies with such readings,^[1]and over time expressions such as "coming together for the chapter" (convenire ad capitulum) found their meaning transferred from the text to the meeting itself and then to the body gathering for it.^[2]The place of such meetings similarly became known as the "chapter house"or" room ".

Cathedral chapter

A cathedral chapter is the body ( "college") of advisors assisting thebishopof adioceseat thecathedral church.These were a development of the presbyteries (presbyteria) made up of the priests and other church officials ofcathedral citiesin the early church. In theCatholic Church,they are now only established bypapaldecree.^[1]

In the event of an episcopal vacancy, cathedral chapters are sometimes charged with election of the bishop's replacement and with the government of the diocese. They are made up ofcanon priests.^[1]"Numbered" chapters are made up of a fixed number ofprebendaries,while "unnumbered" chapters vary in number according to the direction of the bishop. The chapters were originally led by the cathedral'sarchdeaconbut, since the 11th century,^[1]have been directed by adeanorprovost.^[2]

In theCatholic Church,the chapter appoints its own treasurer, secretary, andsacristanand - since theCouncil of Trent- canon theologian^[3]andcanon penitentiary.^[4]The same council approved of other local offices,^[5]which might includeprecentors,chamberlains(camerarii),almoners(eleemosynarii),hospitalarii,portarii,primicerii,orcustodes.Canons are sometimes given the functions ofpunctatorandhebdomadariusas well.^[1]In theChurch of England,the chapter includeslaymembers, achancellorwho oversees its educational functions, and aprecentorwho oversees its musical services. Some Church of England cathedrals have "lesser" and "greater" chapters with separate functions.

In theUS Episcopal Church,the chapter is a meeting of those with the responsibilities of avestryfor a cathedral church.^[6]

Collegiate chapter

A collegiate chapter is a similar body of canons who oversee acollegiate churchother than a cathedral.

General chapter

A general chapter is a general assembly of monks,^[7]typically composed of representatives from all themonasteriesof anorderorcongregation.The equivalent meetings of provincial representatives of Franciscan orders is called a Chapter of Mats.^[8]

Chapter of faults

A chapter of faults is a gathering for public correction of infractions against community rules and forself-criticismseparate from standardconfession.^[9]^[10]

Orders of knighthood

The assembled body of knights of a military orknightly orderwas also referred as a "chapter”.

Notes

^^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^fCath. Enc.(1910).
^^a ^b ^c ^dEB(1911).
^Sess. V, Cap. i.
^Sess. XXIV, Cap. viii.
^Sess. XXV, cap. vi.
^"Glossary of Terms".
^Gomes, Delfina; Maran, Laura; Araújo, Domingos (2022)."Accounting in the organisation and life of a religious institution: The Monastery ofSanta Anain the eighteenth century ".Accounting History.27(4): 607–638.doi:10.1177/10323732221095628.hdl:1822/83748.
^Order of Friars Minor in Great Britain website,Chapter of Mats
^Brill Reference Works website,Chapter of Faults,by Stephan Haerig, in Religion Past and Present, published 2011
^Abbaye Saint Pierre Solesmes website,Chapter of Faults

References

Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911)."Chapter".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 855.
Fanning, William (1908)."Chapter".In Herbermann, Charles (ed.).Catholic Encyclopedia.Vol. 3. New York: Robert Appleton Company.