Katedral

Katedral is the term used in Indonesian and Malay for the principal church of a diocese—the seat of a bishop. The word is derived from the Latin cathedra, meaning chair, referring to the bishop's throne.

In ecclesiastical terms, the cathedral is the central church of a diocese and the location where the bishop administers holy orders and presides over major liturgical events. It often serves as the home of diocesan offices and the focus of diocesan-wide ceremonies.

Architecturally, cathedrals span a range of styles from Romanesque and Gothic to Renaissance and Baroque. They typically include features such as a nave, choir, and apse, and commonly have transepts, towers, or domes. The design and decoration of a cathedral often reflect its historical period and the wealth and influence of the diocese.

A cathedral is not merely a large church; it is defined by its function as the diocesan seat. Some cities have co-cathedrals or metropolitan cathedrals, and some dioceses may designate a separate church as the bishop’s seat during construction or renovation.

In addition to Roman Catholic use, the term is widely used in Anglican and Eastern Orthodox contexts to designate the bishop’s church. Cathedrals are frequently important cultural and historical landmarks, and many are major tourist attractions.

Famous examples include Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Canterbury Cathedral in England, Cologne Cathedral in Germany, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, and Seville Cathedral in Spain. The Indonesian term katedral is commonly used in official and religious discourse to denote these bishop-centered churches.