# Pastor / Pastoral Office ## Catechism of the Catholic Church The ministry of shepherding the faithful in the name of Christ. The Pope and bishops receive the pastoral office which they are to exercise with Christ the Good Shepherd as their model; they share their pastoral ministry with priests, to whom they give responsibility over a portion of the flock as pastors of parishes ([[1.2.3.9.p2a|886]], [[2.2.3.6.p4u#^ccc-1560|1560]], [[3.2.1.3.p7o#^ccc-2179|2179]]).