Exploration of the role of churches in foreign policy debates is shot through with complexities. As a prerequisite for discussion of the role of churches in any secular matter, or even in many moral or religions discussions, precision is demanded in the meaning of the word “Church.” Yves Congar suggests that perhaps nine times out of ten the word “Church” signifies the hierarchy of bishops. In an effort to eliminate one complicating factor from an already bewildering array of difficulties it might be well to attempt a definition of the episcopacy. While acknowledging that the definition may compound the complexities, it is offered as a point of reference for later discussion of the major topic.