Michael Brooks
A diocese is a territory or group of churches under the jurisdiction of a bishop. In the Catholic Church, there are 2,898 regular dioceses, consisting of 1 papal see, 9 patriarchates, 4 major archeparchies, 564 metropolitan archdioceses, 77 single archdioceses, and 2,261 dioceses worldwide. The United States has 194 archdioceses and dioceses, including the Archdiocese for the Military Services, and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. The Catholic Church in the United States has a total of 196 particular churches in the 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Now, what is the name of your Catholic diocese?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | "A portion of the people of God which is entrusted to a bishop for him to shepherd with the cooperation of the presbyterium, so that, adhering to its pastor and gathered by him in the Holy Spirit through the gospel and the Eucharist, it constitutes a particular church in which the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Christ is truly present and operative." |
| Territory | The Catholic Church has 2,898 regular dioceses (or eventually eparchies) consisting of 1 papal see, 9 patriarchates, 4 major archeparchies, 564 metropolitan archdioceses, 77 single archdioceses, and 2,261 dioceses worldwide. |
| Ecclesiastical Province | An ecclesiastical province is a group of dioceses designated by the Holy See for greater cooperation and common action among regional dioceses. |
| Archbishop | A diocese ruled by an archbishop is commonly referred to as an archdiocese. Archdioceses are chosen based on their population and historical significance. |
| Anglican Ordinariates | The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter was established on January 1, 2012, to serve former Anglicans in the United States and Canada who sought to become Catholic. |
| Eastern Catholic Churches | Eastern Catholic Churches have their own liturgical, legal, and organizational systems and are identified by their national or ethnic character. They are considered fully equal to the Latin tradition within the Church. |
| Military Services | The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, provides pastoral care and spiritual services to those serving in the Armed Forces of the United States and their dependents. |
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What You'll Learn
What is a diocese?
A diocese is a geographical territory of the Catholic Church under the authority of a bishop. The word comes from the Latin 'dioecesis', derived from the Greek 'διοίκησις', meaning 'administration'. Dioceses are also referred to as particular churches or local churches.
The Catholic Church defines a diocese as:
> "A portion of the people of God which is entrusted to a bishop for him to shepherd with the cooperation of the presbyterium, so that, adhering to its pastor and gathered by him in the Holy Spirit through the gospel and the Eucharist, it constitutes a particular church in which the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Christ is truly present and operative."
The bishop of a diocese is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith, celebrating the sacraments, fostering vocations to the priesthood, and governing the diocese with loyalty to the Pope. They are assisted by priests and deacons in their pastoral office.
Dioceses are often grouped by the Holy See into ecclesiastical provinces to foster cooperation and common action among regional dioceses. Within an ecclesiastical province, one diocese can be designated an "archdiocese" or "metropolitan archdiocese", indicating centrality and higher rank. Archdioceses tend to be chosen based on their Catholic population and historical significance. They are usually based in large metropolitan areas.
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![Antidotvm Lincolniense, or, An Answer to a Book Entitvled, The Holy Table, Name, & Thing, Etc. Said to Be Written Long Agoe by a Minister in ... for the Diocese of Lincolne, [Anno] 1637](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/611VVWKZGaL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
What is the difference between a diocese and an archdiocese?
A diocese is a geographical region that a particular bishop oversees. All the Catholics in a diocese are under the spiritual care of that bishop. The Canon Law of the Catholic Church defines a diocese as:
> "A portion of the people of God which is entrusted to a bishop for him to shepherd with the cooperation of the presbyterium, so that, adhering to its pastor and gathered by him in the Holy Spirit through the gospel and the Eucharist, it constitutes a particular church in which the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Christ is truly present and operative."
Dioceses are often grouped by the Holy See into ecclesiastical provinces for greater cooperation and common action among regional dioceses. Within an ecclesiastical province, one diocese can be designated an "archdiocese" or "metropolitan archdiocese", establishing centrality within an ecclesiastical province and denoting a higher rank.
Archdioceses are chosen based on their population and historical significance. An archdiocese is a diocese with a greater size or historical significance than a typical diocese. An archdiocese is a diocese with a larger city or a larger Catholic population. An archdiocese is headed by an archbishop, and the archbishop of the largest diocese in a region is known as a metropolitan archbishop. When a problem arises that a local bishop is unable to resolve, he first goes to the metropolitan archbishop before going any further up the hierarchical chain. The bishop of a diocese is sometimes called an ordinary, because the authority over his diocese is not delegated.
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How are dioceses created?
The Catholic Church is organised territorially by dioceses, which are ecclesiastical districts defined by geographical territory. The Canon Law of the Catholic Church defines a diocese as "a portion of the people of God which is entrusted to a bishop for him to shepherd with the cooperation of the presbyterium, so that, adhering to its pastor and gathered by him in the Holy Spirit through the gospel and the Eucharist, it constitutes a particular church in which the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of Christ is truly present and operative."
Dioceses are created by the Pope, who remains the sole judge of the time and manner of their creation. The preparatory work is done by the Congregation of the Consistory, by Propaganda when the question relates to territories subject to this congregation, and by the Congregation of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs when the establishment of a diocese is governed by concordats, or when the civil power of the country has the right to intervene in their creation.
Archdioceses are chosen based on their population and historical significance. All dioceses and archdioceses, and their respective bishops or archbishops, are distinct and autonomous. An archdiocese has limited responsibilities within the same ecclesiastical province assigned to it by the Holy See. As of December 2024, in the Catholic Church, there were 2,898 regular dioceses (or eventually eparchies) consisting of: 1 papal see, 9 patriarchates, 4 major archeparchies, 564 metropolitan archdioceses, 77 single archdioceses, and 2,261 dioceses worldwide.
Dioceses ruled by an archbishop are commonly referred to as archdioceses; most are metropolitan sees, being placed at the head of an ecclesiastical province. In the Catholic Church, some are suffragans of a metropolitan see or are directly subject to the Holy See. The term "archdiocese" is not found in Catholic canon law, with the terms "diocese" and "episcopal see" being applicable to the area under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of any bishop.
There is sufficient reason for the subdivision of a diocese if it is too extensive, or the number of the faithful is too great, or the means of communication too difficult, to permit the bishop to administer the diocese properly. The benefit which would result to religion (incrementum cultus divini) may also be brought forward as a reason for the change.
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Who is the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego?
The current bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is Michael Pham, who was appointed by Pope Leo XIV on May 22, 2025. Pham is the seventh bishop of the diocese and the first Vietnamese American bishop in the nation. He was preceded by Cardinal Robert McElroy, who was appointed archbishop of Washington, DC, in 2025.
The Diocese of San Diego was established in 1936 by Pope Pius X, who named Reverend Charles F. Buddy as its first bishop. Buddy co-founded the University of San Diego in 1949 and served as its first president from 1950 to 1966. After his death in 1966, he was succeeded by Francis Furey, who served as bishop until 1969 when he became archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
Leo Maher was then appointed bishop of San Diego in 1969. During his tenure, Maher addressed the diocese's debt, presided over the second diocesan synod, and established the first Diocesan Pastoral Council. He also ended the official relationship between the diocese and the University of San Diego. In 1980, Maher issued a public condemnation of the Ku Klux Klan.
In 1989, Bishop Robert Brom was appointed coadjutor bishop to assist Maher. After Maher's retirement in 1990, Brom succeeded him as bishop of San Diego. During his time as bishop, Brom oversaw the creation of two Catholic high schools in the diocese.
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What is the coat of arms of the diocese?
A coat of arms, also known as an episcopal heraldic achievement, is used to identify people and dioceses. The design of a coat of arms can tell us about the history of a place or a family. In the Catholic Church, bishops and cardinals have their own personal coat of arms.
The coat of arms of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, for example, is based on the family arms of General Moses Cleaveland, the founder of the city. The shield is divided by a line like an inverted "V", with the top half painted black and the bottom half painted white with small black spots to represent ermine fur. Three small crosses are added to the design, with the arms of the crosses and the chevron counterchanged. A crown, symbolising Bishop Malesic's given name, sits above the chevron, and a linden tree, symbolising his Slovenian heritage, sits below.
The coat of arms of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas features a bishop's mitre at the top, with a red shield beneath. The red shield features crossed swords in the top right-hand corner, representing the symbol of St. Paul, and a star in the bottom left-hand corner, representing the Lone Star of Texas. A wavy line with three blue fleurs-de-lis runs diagonally across the shield.
The coat of arms of the Catholic Archdiocese of Las Vegas features a samnitic shape shield, with an archiepiscopal cross and red stones to represent the Five Wounds of Christ. The right side of the shield is gold, representing the desert region of the Southwestern United States, and the left side is silver, with a blue cross in the centre symbolising the light of the resurrected Christ. Within the quarters of the shield are a green crossed pick and shovel, honouring the Irish heritage of Archbishop Thomas' mother, two garbs of wheat representing the farming background of Archbishop Thomas' father, a blue Celtic "M" paying homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a paschal candle, symbolising Archbishop Thomas' episcopal motto, "Christ Our Light".
The coat of arms of the Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster features an ancient archbishop's cross in pale gold, with a red background honouring the English Martyrs, and a pallium.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of our Catholic diocese is the Roman Catholic Church, which is organized territorially by dioceses.
A diocese is a portion of the people of God which is entrusted to a bishop for him to shepherd with the cooperation of the presbyterium.
A bishop is responsible for shepherding a group of the people of God, adhering to its pastor and gathering him in the Holy Spirit through the gospel and the Eucharist.
As of December 2024, there are 2,898 regular dioceses in the world.
A diocese is ruled by a bishop, whereas an archdiocese is ruled by an archbishop. Archdioceses are chosen based on their population and historical significance.
