Establishing a new diocese

[Digitonomy]

What is the process for creating a new diocese?

 

[Deacon_Ed]

The process is fairly simple. The bishop/archbishop of a diocese documents the reason that his (arch)diocese should be split and sends it to the papal nuncio who forwards it to Rome with his recommendation. If the pope agrees with the reason he erects a new diocese and reassigns the boundaries of the old diocese.

My own diocese, the Diocese of Orange in California was split from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1976 because of the population growth that we were experiencing.

Other dioceses, especially those relating to the Eastern Catholic Churches, are established based upon other criteria and needs. Such was the case for the Syro-Malabar diocese established in the Western United States a couple of years ago.

Deacon Ed

 

[Digitonomy]

Is this always done within a single diocese? For instance, suppose substantial growth in the Diocese of Orange made diocesan management somewhat unwieldy, but it was felt that making two entire dioceses out of the old one would be microsizing and Balkanizing too much. Could a Diocese of say Mission Viejo be created, which included the southern third of the Orange and the northern third of the San Diego dioceses?

Also, how is the issue of archdioceses and which dioceses are suffragens dealt with, especially in terms of realignment and creation of new archdioceses?

Finally, for how long have all American dioceses been confined to a single state, and why is this necessary?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . .
Finally, for how long have all American dioceses been confined to a single state, and why is this necessary?

I suspect that some things are simpler if the diocese is in one state, e.g. civil jurisdiction for marriages. However, note that Norwich CT, Wimington DE, Washingtond DC, Gallup NM, and Cheyenne WY all straddle state lines.

 

[FrCorey]

then the bishop incharge has to issue a canonical
erection to establish it. boy, they will have fun with that one. “hey, my bishop just gave me a erection!”. then all your staff can snicker at you.

 

[Digitonomy]

note that Norwich CT, Wimington DE, Washingtond DC, Gallup NM, and Cheyenne WY all straddle state lines.

Thanks for the correction.