Heraclius was reluctant to accept and had to be convinced by his fellow bishops.

They do wonder whether he and his fellow bishops are really working under constraints that will make their work more hindrance than help.

He took the action even though his fellow bishops continue to debate whether it is appropriate to ordain homosexuals.

He asked his fellow bishops, to heal this "intellectual infection", which should not be allowed to grow.

He and his fellow bishops were unprepared for the excitement generated by the first session.

He thanked his fellow bishops and signed off: "Thank you all, once again.

Nobody knows the answer to that, least of all the Pope and his fellow bishops.

Cardinal Mahony is probably better known, because he has been in his position longer, building strong ties among fellow bishops.

Along the route he wrote six letters to the churches in the region and one to a fellow bishop.

But last week a church court ruled 7-1 to dismiss the charges brought against him by 10 of his fellow bishops.