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1This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Ichiro in Japan.
2He writes:
3Dear VOA, Japanese people don't understand Christian religious terms such as "religious leaders" "clergy" and "clergymen."
4What are the differences?
5Hi Ichiro,
6The terms "clergy" and "clergymen" are general and can describe any official leaders within established religions.
7"Clergymen" is plural and used when the leaders are men.
8"Clergywomen" is the plural form for women.
9Within Christianity, there are several terms for the leadership roles.
10Many are less commonly known, even by some Christians.
11Christianity is divided into several smaller sub-groups, or sects.
12Examples of Christian sects include Catholics, Baptists and Protestants.
13The Catholic Church has a long list of religious leaders.
14In Catholicism, priests are leaders who perform religious services, such as worship services, and ceremonies.
15In fact, all clergy in the Catholic church, including priests, bishops and deacons, are permitted to give sermons, or religious speeches.
16They also can lead worship and perform religious ceremonies, such as marriages and funerals.
17The highest leader in the Catholic church is the pope, who lives in the Vatican, an independent city-state inside Rome, Italy.
18The current pope is Pope Francis.
19Baptist and Protestant churches have far fewer leaders than the Catholic Church.
20They call their main religious leader any of three names - "pastor" "minister" or "reverend."
21This person leads church services, performs religious ceremonies, and gives spiritual or religious guidance to church members.
22There is, however, one role common to Catholics, Baptists, and Protestants. It is that of "deacon."
23Deacons have a lower status than a church's main religious leader.
24They are considered "servant leaders" and help carry out the duties of priests and pastors.
25They are also expected to build a relationship with the local church community.
26And that's Ask a Teacher for this week.
27I'm Alice Bryant.