Diocese

Lore & Background

In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associated in a larger unit, the diocese. These dioceses were often smaller than the provinces.

Reader's Guide

The diocese has been a central structure in Christian church governance for centuries, evolving from Roman administrative divisions. In the Western Roman Empire's collapse, bishops assumed larger roles of former Roman governors, while in the East the Byzantine Empire largely retained the Roman apparatus. Modern dioceses often preserve boundaries of long-vanished Roman administrative divisions, as noted for Gaul where medieval dioceses were direct territorial successors of Roman civitates.

The term 'diocese' became commonplace during the Carolingian Empire's classicizing structural evolution in the 9th century, evolving from the earlier 'parochia' dating from the 4th century. In the Catholic Church, a diocese is defined as a portion of the people of God entrusted to a bishop, constituting a particular church. Dioceses are grouped into ecclesiastical provinces, with archdioceses holding metropolitan status.

The Second Vatican Council highlighted proper determination of diocesan boundaries for effective pastoral care. In Eastern Orthodoxy, the equivalent is an eparchy. Lutheran churches such as the Church of Sweden and the Church of Denmark have dioceses, while the Anglican Communion retained the existing diocesan structure after the English Reformation.

Did You Know?

• The term 'diocese' comes from the Greek διοίκησις, meaning 'administration'.
• The Second Vatican Council directed that every diocese should establish a diocesan commission on the sacred liturgy.