This Ceremonial is intended to present the entire reformed liturgy in a suitable manner and to ensure that in celebrating the liturgy the bishop is clearly seen as 'the high priest of his flock, the faithful's life in Christ in some way deriving from and depending on him'. The purpose of the Ceremonial will be made more evident through attention to the pastoral and juridical norms pertaining to a bishop that have been issued by the responsible dicasteries of the Holy See. The new Ceremonial of Bishops cannot be regarded as a liturgical book in the proper sense, since it is not a book for use in liturgical celebrations. But this Ceremonial will be helpful to bishops, to the several categories of ministers, and to masters of ceremonies, since they will find in it the parts belonging to them in a various celebration.
