Cathedral churches in non-dioceses

[twf]

Just curious… technically speaking, do non-diocese jurisdictions, such as apostolic vicariates, apostolic prefectures, territorial prelatures, or permanent apostolic administrations, have cathedrals? There would be a principal church, of course, but would it be a cathedral?

 

[Augustinian]

The term “cathedral” comes from the word “cathedra” which is the seat of a bishop.

Bishops are heads of dioceses.

So, the answer is no.

No bishop means no cathedra and no cathedral.

 

[FrDavid96]

Sometimes they do have bishops without being an outright diocese.

One example is the Ordinariate of the Chair of St Peter (Anglican patrimony Catholic).

When they had a non-bishop Ordinary, they had a principle church, but not a cathedral.

When the first bishop assumed his office, the principle church automatically became a cathedral church.

https://ordinariate.net/cathedral

 

[twf]

Would this then apply to Vicars Apostolic, who are generally bishops?
Their titular see, as bishops, does not equate their vicariate, so that’s why I’m wondering.

 

[FrDavid96]

Would this then apply to Vicars Apostolic, who are generally bishops?
Their titular see, as bishops, does not equate their vicariate, so that’s why I’m wondering.

I can’t say that I know the answer as it’s found in the law.

What I can say is that I looked around the internet.

If this website is accurate
http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/data/type-apvc.htm

Most of them do have cathedrals (excluding those who don’t have bishops). I’m not sure why there are a few (2 or 3) who have bishops but don’t have cathedrals.

 

[Vico]

…

One example is the Apostolic Administration of Prizren:

• Cathedral of St. Teresa of Calcutta, Pristina, Kosovo
• Apostolic Administrator: Bishop Dodë Gjergji Apostolic Administrator of Prizren.