The Bishops

If a city has no archbishop, it usually has a council of three to five bishops (also called a consistory), depending on its size. Like archbishops, this council is responsible for maintaining Sabbat influence in its territories, as well as the spiritual growth of its subordinates.

Bishops in the sect usually rise from pack priests, though they may also be ducti. Since they are generally younger and less seasoned than archbishops, the Sabbat creates councils so no bishop is forced to operate in a role beyond their capacity. A charismatic and severe administrator, for example, may know little of mystical ritae, so the sect ensures all bases are covered. Nearly all these offices, promoted directly from the packs they serve, are held by vampires under two hundred years of age.
The division of power among multiple leaders often creates conflict. Sabbat priests are not known for calm temperaments, and a council of strong personalities can easily sabotage itself. For that reason, bishops report directly to cardinals, who rarely hesitate to discipline the most troublesome members and force them into place. In some ways, the position of bishop is more demanding than that of archbishop, because the former must rely on diplomacy as a key tool, while the latter can impose decisions with less resistance.