What are the relations between Eparchys and Archdiocese?

[LatinCatholic1]

I know Eparchys are for Eastern Rite Catholics such as the Byzantine Churches, the Maronites etc, and the Archdiocese is for the Latin Church, but what is the relationship between the two? Do they work together to a certain extent?

God Bless

 

[Vico]

I know Eparchys are for Eastern Rite Catholics such as the Byzantine Churches, the Maronites etc, and the Archdiocese is for the Latin Church, but what is the relationship between the two? Do they work together to a certain extent?

God Bless

Two types of bodies exist in regions called an Episcopal Conference and Assembly of Hierarchs. See Eastern Canons (CCEO) 84, 202, 322. There are (1997) seven assemblies by the name conference, assembly, or reunion.
http://forums.catholic-questions.org/picture.php?albumid=601&pictureid=11498

 

[mardukm]

I know Eparchys are for Eastern Rite Catholics such as the Byzantine Churches, the Maronites etc, and the Archdiocese is for the Latin Church, but what is the relationship between the two? Do they work together to a certain extent?

God Bless

Eparchy is synonymous with Diocese.

Metropolitan See is synonymous with Archdiocese.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[ByzCathCantor]

As mentioned above, an Eparchy is the equivalent of a diocese. The only difference is that an Eparchy is either directly accountable to the Pontiff, or exists as a suffragan Eparchy of a larger ecclesiastical structure that is ultimately in communion with and accountable to the Pope. Such can be a Metropolitan Church, a Major Archiepiscopal Church or a Patriarchate.

An archdiocese is a “senior diocese”, usually situated in a major metropolis and/or historically significant city. Itself a diocese, there are also “junior dioceses”, or suffragan dioceses under the pastoral care of the Archbishop (Bishop of the Archdiocese). Collectively they form a Metropolitan Archdiocese.

Eastern Catholic Churches organized as Metropolitan Church are often viewed as the same eccleasiastical unit. While there are similarities, a Metropolitan Church is also a sui juris Church that is responsible for its own administration and liturgical worship. It operates under the Code of Canon Law for the Eastern Churches, and Norms of Particular Law, established by a council comprised of the Metropolitan Archbishop and all Bishops of suffragan Eparchies that are part of the Metropolitan Church, and approved by Rome.

A Metropolitan Archdiocese has certain administrative functions delegated to it, but are ultimately governed by a single Code of Canon Law applicable to all Latin Catholic dioceses worldwide.

While this is a high level summary, I hope it helps!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

In the Western Church, the archdiocese heads an area known as a Provence, which usually includes several dioceses, known as suffragan sees. In practice, the archbishop is more a coordinator, or Chairman, than governor of the Provence. The Bishop, Ordinary, of each diocese is reports directly to the Pope. The archbishop does have some responsibilities when a vacancy occurs, or a major problem arises.

 

[mardukm]

Brothers ByzCathCantor and Joe Kelley, thank you for the clarifications.

The Metropolitan of an Eastern or Oriental Church definitely has more canonical prerogatives than an Archbishop of the Latin Church.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[ByzCathCantor]

The Metropolitan of an Eastern or Oriental Church definitely has more canonical prerogatives than an Archbishop of the Latin Church.

Interestingly enough, it is at that this level (the regionally-oriented Metropolitan Province) that at least some have seen the possibility for ecclesiastical reform and potential alignment with Orthodoxy; that is, this is the first level at which synods might exist.

e) Synodality/Conciliarity: the bishops of the reunited Churches would meet regularly in regional synods, which would regulate the common life and relationships of the Churches in a particular region and provide an occasion for mutual correction and support. Bishops of all the Churches would be invited to participate fully in any ecumenical councils that might be summoned. Synodality would operate at various levels of ecclesial institutions: local, regional and worldwide. Aside from episcopal structures of synodality, the laity would be active participants in this dimension of Church life.

source: SCOBA - Steps Towards A Reunited Church: A Sketch Of An Orthodox-Catholic Vision For The Future

 

[malphono]

The Metropolitan of an Eastern or Oriental Church definitely has more canonical prerogatives than an Archbishop of the Latin Church.

It’s interesting that in the 1st Millennium (funny how we seem to refer back to that time and time again), Primates in the Latin Church had just about the same prerogatives.

These days, the prerogatives of even the Eastern (are there any Oriental? I can’t think of any off-hand) Metropolitans in union with Rome have been diminished. Perhaps not to the extent of what was done to the Latins Primates over the centuries, but diminished nonetheless.

 

[Hesychios]

It’s interesting that in the 1st Millennium (funny how we seem to refer back to that time and time again), Primates in the Latin Church had just about the same prerogatives.

These days, the prerogatives of even the Eastern (are there any Oriental? I can’t think of any off-hand) Metropolitans in union with Rome have been diminished. Perhaps not to the extent of what was done to the Latins Primates over the centuries, but diminished nonetheless.

Good observation.

 

[twf]

It’s interesting that in the 1st Millennium (funny how we seem to refer back to that time and time again), Primates in the Latin Church had just about the same prerogatives.

These days, the prerogatives of even the Eastern (are there any Oriental? I can’t think of any off-hand) Metropolitans in union with Rome have been diminished. Perhaps not to the extent of what was done to the Latins Primates over the centuries, but diminished nonetheless.

In the Latin context, we should distinguish between primates (head of the national Latin church) and metropolitan archbishops (head of the local provincial Latin church)… the prerogatives of the national primates has basically vanished - it is now little more than an honorific and any practical purpose it served has either been centralized to the Roman Curia or transferred to the national episcopal conference (and its elected president-bishop). Metropolitan archbishops, on the other hand, still do have certain prerogatives. Off the top of my head these include:
-Right to celebrate mass in any church within the province, with or without the consent of other bishops even if in their diocese
-Responsibility to act as a role model for his brother bishops and report major problems to Rome
-Administrate vacant sees within his province
-Convene provincial synods (rare - again, the national episcopal conferences, or in the case of larger countries such as the US or Canada, local regional episcopal conferences, have largely replaced the provincial synod)
-Forward names of suitable candidates for the episcopate to Rome in consultation with his brother bishops
-Hear appeals from the other dioceses of his province (matrimony cases for example)

Interestingly, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, holds the title “Primate of America” for historical reasons (being the first Catholic see established in the New World)…but certainly does not exercise any primacy outside of the DR.

 

[ByzCathCantor]

In the Latin context, we should distinguish between primates (head of the national Latin church) and metropolitan archbishops (head of the local provincial Latin church)… the prerogatives of the national primates has basically vanished - it is now little more than an honorific and any practical purpose it served has either been centralized to the Roman Curia or transferred to the national episcopal conference (and its elected president-bishop). Metropolitan archbishops, on the other hand, still do have certain prerogatives.

Very fair points, indeed. I had posted earlier on some of basic distinctions between Metropolitan Archdioceses and Metropolitan Churches, and this takes it a bit further.

“Primate” certainly has become honorific, but not inconsequentially. Pope Benedict XVI made special note of the significance of the appointment to a primatial see when recently bestowing the pallium to Archbishop Lori.

Where the relative distinctions at the Metropolitan Province / Church level become important is indeed in the context of ecumenical dialogue with the Orthodox Churches.

 

[Vico]

The Metropolitan has varieties:

1. The Patriarch of a Patriarchal Church,
2. The Major Archbishop of a Major Archepiscopal Church,
3. The Metropolitan of a Metropolitan Catholic Church,
4. A Metropolitan of a province in a Major Archepiscopal or Patriarchal Catholic Church.
5. A titular Metropolitan.

The Major Archeparch or Patriarch is the president of the synod and represents the entire church juridically. The Metropolitan of a Metropolitan Catholic Church, represents it juridically and is the president of the council of hierarchs.

The other kind is the Metropolitan in a Major Archepiscopal or Patriarchal Catholic Church where the role is defined by the Church.

CCEO Canons

P

Canon 56 A patriarch is a bishop who enjoys power over all bishops including metropolitans and other Christian faithful of the Church over which he presides according to the norm of law approved by the supreme authority of the Church.

Canon 79 The patriarch represents the patriarchal Church in all its juridic affairs.

Canon 80 The patriarch is:
(1) to exercise the rights and to fulfill the obligations of a metropolitan in all places where provinces are not erected;
(2) to supply for the negligence of metropolitans according to the norm of law;
(3) to exercise the rights and to fulfill the obligations of a metropolitan in the entire province during the vacancy of a metropolitan see;
(4) to warn a metropolitan who did not appoint a finance officer according to can. 262, 1; if the warning is made in vain, he himself is to appoint a finance officer.

Canon 133.2. The metropolitan represents the province in all juridic matters of the same.

Canon 136 A metropolitan who presides over a province precedes everywhere a titular metropolitan.

Canon 137 The synod of bishops of the patriarchal Church is to define more precisely the rights and obligations of metropolitans and of the metropolitan synods according to the legitimate customs of its own patriarchal Church and also the circumstances of time and place

MA

Canon 151 A major archbishop is the metropolitan of a see determined or recognized by the Supreme Authority of the Church, who presides over an entire Eastern Church sui iuris not endowed with the patriarchal title.

Canon 152 What is stated in common law concerning patriarchal Churches or patriarchs is understood to be applicable to major archiepiscopal Churches or major archbishops, unless the common law expressly provides otherwise or it is evident from the nature of the matter.

M

Canon 155.1. A metropolitan Church sui iuris is presided over by a metropolitan of a determined see who is appointed by the Roman Pontiff and assisted by a council of hierarchs according to the norm of law.

Canon 157.3. The metropolitan represents the metropolitan Church sui iuris in all its juridic affairs.