Christian clergy wear special clothes - often cassocks, like a full length robe with a belt round the middle often with a clerical collar - a simple white band round the neck of his shirt. For services they might add a surplus - a shorter white gown decorated with embroidery or cotton lace having cape effect sleeve.

The roles that they carry out vary greatly depending upon the needs of their congregation :

• Lead their people and teach them God's way
• Prepare and present services in their church
• Look after the spiritual needs of the sick and needy or old folks
• Teach the children about God
• Administer the sacraments
• Write sermons to teach people in church
• Very often they may have to organise the timetable of services, social events in their church
• Carry out charitable events
• They might help any of their congregation that is in trouble
• They might go to the hospital to comfort relatives of the sick or dying
• Some Christian denominations ask clergy to hear their confession

To fond out more about different clergy visit the different church pages at RE Online