Difference Between Diocese And Archdiocese?

[chelsea]

Hey, just a quick question.

Whats the difference between an Archdiocese and a diocese? are they the same thing? For example, I live in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, but we often just refer to it as the diocese.

[cappie]

Can. 368 Particular Churches, in which and from which the one and only catholic Church exists, are principally dioceses. Unless the contrary is clear, the following are equivalent to a diocese: a territorial prelature, a territorial abbacy, a vicariate apostolic, a prefecture apostolic and a permanently established apostolic administration.

Can. 369 A diocese is a portion of the people of God, which is entrusted to a Bishop to be nurtured by him, with the cooperation of the presbyterium, in such a way that, remaining close to its pastor and gathered by him through the Gospel and the Eucharist in the Holy Spirit, it constitutes a particular Church. In this Church, the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church of Christ truly exists and functions.

Can. 431 Neighbouring particular Churches are to be grouped into ecclesiastical provinces, with a certain defined territory. The purpose of this grouping is to promote, according to the circumstances of persons and place, a common pastoral action of various neighbouring dioceses, and the more closely to foster relations between diocesan Bishops.

Can. 435 An ecclesiastical province is presided over by a Metropolitan, who is Archbishop in his own diocese. The office of Metropolitan is linked to an episcopal see, determined or approved by the Roman Pontiff.

Can. 436 §1 Within the suffragan dioceses, the Metropolitan is competent:

§2 Where circumstances require it, the Apostolic See can give the Metropolitan special functions and power, to be determined in particular law.

§3 The Metropolitan has no other power of governance over suffragan dioceses. He can, however, celebrate sacred functions in all churches as if he were a Bishop in his own diocese, provided, if it is the cathedral church, the diocesan Bishop has been previously notified.

In the Catholic Church, an important diocese, governed by an Archbishop is called an archdiocese (usually due to size, historical significance, or both). So, the Archdiocese is the chief diocese of an ecclesiastical province. There are about 569 Catholic archdioceses and 2014 dioceses in the world.

So you can see every territorial area is a diocese but some dioceses' by the nature of their size or importance are raised to an Archdiocese and their bishop is called an Archbishop and Metropolitan with several dioceses as part of a province. The title Archdiocese and Archbishop are not theological but administrative and honorific