superior general

A superior general or general superior is the head of an order or a religious congregation or, in other words, of a religious institute in the Catholic Church and in some other Christian denominations. The superior general usually holds supreme executive authority in the religious community, subject only to the Pope in the case of Catholic orders, while the general chapter has legislative authority. Many Catholic superiors general are elected by their order's membership, and are based in Rome, and thus facilitate their order's engagement with other elements of church leadership.