What is the line of authority in the Catholic Church?

Catholic AnswerOur Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ, is head of the Church; His Vicar on earth is the Holy Father, the Pope in Rome. The head of each diocese, chosen by the Pope, and answerable only to him, is a Bishop. The Bishop is the ultimate head (saving Our Blessed Lord, Himself) in each diocese. The Holy Father, himself, can not remove a sitting Bishop from his diocese. The Bishop has various priests to assist him, and a priest/pastor is head of each parish.