separateurCreated with Sketch.

What is the difference between an archdiocese and a diocese?

DIOCEASE
whatsappfacebooktwitter-xemailnative
Philip Kosloski - published on 07/23/19
whatsappfacebooktwitter-xemailnative

There is one major element that separates an archdiocese from a regular diocese.The Catholic Church eventually organized its parishes into what are called dioceses. Simply put, a diocese is a geographical region, and all the parishes in that area, that a particular bishop oversees and shepherds. All the Catholics in a diocese are under the spiritual care of that bishop.


A ROW OF BISHOPS
Read more:
What is a diocese?

 

An archdiocese, from the Greek suffix indicating “head” or “ruler,” is a diocese that includes a larger city or an area with a large Catholic population. An archdiocese is headed by an archbishop, and the archbishop of the largest diocese in a region is known as a metropolitan archbishop.

When a problem arises that a local bishop is unable to resolve, he first goes to the metropolitan archbishop, before going any further up the hierarchical chain.

In reality, the difference between a diocese and an archdiocese is primarily one of size. It is a small difference, but one that helps distribute the governance of the Catholic Church and keeps the most important shared ministries and administrative functions of a Catholic community at the local level.



Read more:
How to tell the difference between a monsignor, a bishop and a cardinal


SHIPS IN THE OCEAN
Read more:
What is a parish?

Newsletter
Did you enjoy this article? Would you like to read more like this?

Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. It’s free!

Tags:
Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.