Cathars did not regard Parfaits
as priests. Parfaits did exercise sacramental responsibilities
but did not carry out sacrifices, the defining activity
of a priest. The New Testament word often translated as
priest, presbyter, does not really mean "priest".
It means "elder", which is how it is translated in many
modern bibles. Perhaps significantly, the New Testament
never uses the word priest (sacerdos) nor does it
talk about a priesthood (except in the sense that all believers
are priests). In this, as in much else, historians concur
that
Cathars appear to represent a survival of the Earliest Christian
Church.
Although the Cathars did not recognise a priesthood, they
did elect bishops from among the elect. These were bishops
in the sense that the word (episcopos) is used in
the New Testament - it could reasonably be translated into
English as supervisor.
Cathar bishops were responsible for distinct areas.
Various bishoprics were mentioned including Toulouse,
Carcassonne,
Albi, Agen, Lombers, Saint-Paul, Cabaret,
Servian and Montségur
(
Montsegùr),
to which was soon added that of the Razès (founded
during the 1226 Cathar Council at Pieusse).
When a bishop died another official, the Elder Son (filius
major), would take his place. The Younger Son (filius
minor) would replace the Elder Son and a new Younger
Son would be chosen from the existing Elect.
The Elder and Younger sons can conveniently be regarded
as first and second deacons respectively. Cathar Deacons
were tasked with the Apareilementum
(or public confession). Some authorities, including Jean
Duvernoy, claim that each Deacon controlled a region. Among
the seats of the deacons were Moissac, Cordes, Toulouse,
Puylaurens, Avignonet,
Fanjeaux, Montréal, Carcassonne,
Mirepoix, Le
Bézu , Puilaurens,
Peyrepertuse,
Quéribus,
and Tarascon-sur-Ariège. Historians disagree about the existence
of Deaconesses.
Cathars did not recognise the hierarchy of the Roman Church,
much of which has no biblical sanction. There are for example
no archbishops, metropolitans, primates, cardinals, patriarchs,
or popes mentioned in the New Testament.
For a long time the Catholics accused the Cathars of having
their own Pope, apparently misunderstanding the famous visit
of Cathar bishop from the Balkans to a Cathar Council in
the Languedoc.
Back
to: Cathar Terminology
