Sacramentum Mundi Online

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Diocese
(6,345 words)

A diocese is a territorial corporation established by the competent ecclesiastical authority. It is part of the people of God having at its head its own shepherd, and in its own district represents the Church.

A. History of the Word

Deriving from διοιϰεΐν, meaning “to keep house”, “to administer”, the word διοίϰησις signified an administrative district and in Roman law became a techn…

Cite this page
Klaus Mörsdorf, “Diocese”, in: Sacramentum Mundi Online, General Editor Karl Rahner, SJ. Consulted online on 01 December 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2468-483X_smuo_COM_001110>
First published online: 2016



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