dioesi

A diocese is a territorial unit of certain Christian churches that is governed under the leadership of a bishop. The term derives from Latin diœcesis, ultimately from Greek dioikēsis, meaning administration or management. A diocese typically encompasses multiple local communities, or parishes, each served by priests or pastors. The bishop is responsible for pastoral care, doctrinal integrity, liturgical life, and the management of diocesan affairs within the territory. The central church of a diocese is usually its cathedral, which houses the bishop’s seat.

Dioceses are often organized within larger structures. In many traditions, a diocese may be part of an archdiocese led by an archbishop, and several dioceses may form an ecclesiastical province overseen by a metropolitan authority. The exact arrangement varies between churches that use episcopal governance, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches, and many Anglican communities. In some contexts, the term “eparchy” is used for a diocese, especially in Eastern traditions.

Parishes within a diocese cooperate under diocesan guidelines and administration. The diocesan leadership typically includes a curia or equivalent governance body, which assists the bishop in areas such as clergy assignments, education, social services, and canonical affairs. Dioceses arise from historical needs to organize ministry, catechesis, and sacramental life across a region, and they adapt to changing demographics, church law, and liturgical practice while maintaining a shared faith tradition.