What is "titular bishop"

Titular \Tit"u*lar\, a. [F. titulaire, fr. L. titulus. See Title.] Existing in title or name only; nominal; having the title to an office or dignity without discharging its appropriate duties; as, a titular prince.

If these magnificent titles yet remain Not merely titular.
--Milton.

Titular bishop. See under Bishop.

Bishop \Bish"op\, n. [OE. bischop, biscop, bisceop, AS. bisceop, biscop, L. episcopus overseer, superintendent, bishop, fr. Gr. ?, ? over + ? inspector, fr. root of ?, ?, to look to, perh. akin to L. specere to look at. See Spy, and cf. Episcopal.]

1. A spiritual overseer, superintendent, or director.

   Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
   --1 Pet. ii. 25.

   It is a fact now generally recognized by theologians of all shades of opinion, that in the language of the New Testament the same officer in the church is called indifferently ``bishop'' ( ? ) and ``elder'' or ``presbyter.''
   --J. B. Lightfoot.

2. In the Roman Catholic, Greek, and Anglican or Protestant Episcopal churches, one ordained to the highest order of the ministry, superior to the priesthood, and generally claiming to be a successor of the Apostles. The bishop is usually the spiritual head or ruler of a diocese, bishopric, or see.

   Bishop in partibus [infidelium] (R. C. Ch.), a bishop of a see which does not actually exist; one who has the office of bishop, without especial jurisdiction.
   --Shipley.

   Titular bishop (R. C. Ch.), a term officially substituted in 1882 for bishop in partibus.

   Bench of Bishops. See under Bench.

3. In the Methodist Episcopal and some other churches, one of the highest church officers or superintendents.

4. A piece used in the game of chess, bearing a representation of a bishop's miter; -- formerly called archer.

5. A beverage, being a mixture of wine, oranges or lemons, and sugar.
   --Swift.

6. An old name for a woman's bustle. [U. S.]

   If, by her bishop, or her ``grace'' alone, A genuine lady, or a church, is known.
   --Saxe.

A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese. By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place. There are more bishops than there are functioning dioceses. Therefore, a priest appointed not to head a diocese as its diocesan bishop, but to be an auxiliary bishop, a papal diplomat, or an official of the Roman Curia is appointed to a titular see.