Bistums

A Bistum, or diocese, is a territorial jurisdiction of the Catholic Church governed by a bishop, who acts as the ordinary for the faithful and clergy within its borders. The bishop’s official seat is located in a cathedral, the principal church of the diocese. The diocese is a self-contained unit of governance that administers sacraments, fosters pastoral work, and coordinates church activities across its parishes and institutions.

Dioceses often belong to an ecclesiastical province headed by a metropolitan archbishop in an archdiocese. The archbishop has a coordinating role over the suffragan dioceses in his province, but each diocese retains its own bishop and internal governance. The local church body within the diocese includes the diocesan curia, such as the vicar general, chancellor, and other offices, and consultative bodies like the presbyteral and pastoral councils.

Within a diocese, parishes are the basic local communities, each typically led by a parish priest (pastor) and serving as the place where most sacraments are celebrated and catechesis occurs. The diocese also oversees broader pastoral programs, education, charitable activities, seminaries, and the administration of church property and finances.

Historically, dioceses reflect both ecclesiastical and civil boundaries and can be adjusted to meet pastoral needs, population shifts, or mission priorities. Bishops are generally appointed by the pope, with various consultations at the local level; the diocese thus represents the Church’s structure for pastoral governance, unity, and mission within a defined territory.

In German-speaking regions, Bistum denotes these Catholic dioceses, while larger archdioceses are referred to as Erzbistümer. The term is used mainly in the Latin Church; other churches may use related terms in their own traditions.