American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia

PASTORAL STAFF

Pastoral Staff: translation

A staff used by a Bishop, as an ensign of his office, at all public Episcopal Ministrations. It is generally borne by his chaplain. The Pastoral Staff is made in the shape of a shepherd's crook and is frequently given to the Bishop at his consecration, to denote that he is then constituted a shepherd over the Flock of Christ. This use of the Pastoral Staff comes down to us from the most ancient times.

  1. pastoral staff—Pastoral Staff translation Pastoral Staff The Pastoral Staff is an ecclesiastical ornament which is conferred on bishops at their consecration and on mitred abbots at th...Catholic encyclopedia
  2. pastoral staff—Pastoral Staff translationEvery bishop has his official staff that refers to his responsibility towards serving Gods people.The bishop receives the staff from the top of ...Dictionary of church terms
  3. pastoral staff—pastoral staff translationSynonyms and related wordsMalacca cane alpenstock baton cane crook crosier cross crossstaff crutch crutchstick handstaff keys lituus miter palli...Moby Thesaurus