Concept in Definition ABC

Is named diocese to thatterritory or district that is subject to the jurisdiction of a prelate, namely, from a superior in the hierarchy ecclesiastical, such is the case of a bishop, an archbishop, among the most common options.

A religious district under the command of a prelate. Organs that compose it

It should be noted that the dioceses are made up of different organs or components such as the diocesan bishop, who is in charge of the diocese and is its maximum authorityIt may also be assisted by auxiliary bishops; there is also the diocesan curia made up of those people and organisms who assist the bishop in managing it; and the chapter of canons, which are the group of priests who make up the cathedral chapter and who offer religious services there, among other functions.

The concept is used by various Christian churches, the Catholic being the most widespread.

As long as your right canonical law, in canon 369, defines it as a portion of the people of God, in whose care it is finds the bishop, assisted by the presbytery, united to the pastor and gathered by him in the Holy Spirit; Through the gospel and the Eucharist it constitutes a particular church in which the church of Christ is present and acting.

The concept of diocese is really old, since in reality, at the time of the Roman empire, it was used to designate the administrative divisions.

For example, the temple belongs to a parish, several parishes belong to a greater system designated deanery, which grouped together will make up a diocese.

At the same time, the dioceses can be grouped into ecclesiastical provinces that will be preceded and depend on a higher level referred to as an archdiocese, which is a diocese but holds a higher rank with respect to the conventional.

Meanwhile, when a diocese is not preceded by a bishop or pastor, it will be said that it is vacant or impeded.

In the Catholic Church, the titular diocese will be a bishopric or archbishopric, that is, whenever it refers to it, it will be aware of the jurisdiction of a bishop.

Principal functions

Meanwhile, among the functions that a diocese generally performs is that of provide formation to those young people who present priestly concerns, therefore, is that one of its main tasks will be found seminars, where these young people with religious aspirations can not only find themselves in a serious and direct relationship with God but also They will also participate in a study program that includes theological and philosophical concepts that will be vital when reaching the end of the race through the ordination ceremony.

A good part of the dioceses that exist around the world have their own institutes of education higher. In the beginning the Catholic University next to diocesan seminary arose with the clear mission of being a support of the Church at the time of the formation of the new generations of clergy, of all ways, today in addition to this function, Catholic universities also stand out for their contributions in other areas such as the cultural and the scientist.

The highest authority: bishop

Meanwhile, the bishop, who as we said is his highest authority, has various functions: he will be in charge of caring for him and will be the legal representative of the interests of the same.
This makes him an authority that represents three powers for himself, the legislative, executive and judicial, meanwhile, in these tasks he can be assisted by vicars.

When the bishop reaches 75 years of age, he must present his resignation to the Pope who will decide on it considering the circumstances that surround it.
This does not imply that if the Pope considers it and the bishop decides, he can continue as such despite having reached that age.

If the Pope accepts his resignation, he will become the bishop emeritus of that diocese and another prelate will assume.
The bishop emeritus may continue to reside in that diocese if he so wishes.

The distinction between a bishop and an archbishop is that the former is attributed an honorary relevance over the rest of the bishops, who in times The past was mostly linked to the jurisdiction to which it belonged, such is the case of an important metropolis, and for this reason they had a preeminence.

Issues in Diocese