Co-cathedral
Encyclopedia
A co-cathedral is a cathedral
church which shares the function of being a bishop
's seat, or cathedra
, with another cathedral. Instances of this occurred in England before the Protestant Reformation
in the diocese
s of Bath and Wells
, and of Coventry
and Lichfield
, hence the names of these dioceses. In France the bishop of Couserans (a see suppressed at the Revolution) had two co-cathedral churches at Saint-Lizier
, and the bishop of Sisteron (a see also suppressed) had a second throne in the church of Forcalquier
which is still called La Con-cathédrale.
the collegiate church
es of Beverley
, Ripon and Southwell
were almost in the same position, but although the archbishop had a stall in each he had no diocesan cathedra in them, and the chapters were not united with that of the metropolitan church in the direct government of the diocese, or the election of the archbishop, nor had they those other rights which were held to denote the cathedral character of a church.
In the United States, there are several instances in which a Roman Catholic diocese maintains two Episcopal See
cities, each with their own cathedral or co-cathedral. Examples include the Cathedral of Saint Paul
and the Basilica of Saint Mary in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis (Minnesota) and St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica and the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (Texas).
Other instances include the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
(Pennsylvania), the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
(Indiana), the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings
(Montana),
the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
(Louisiana), the Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph
(Missouri), the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
(Florida), the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
(Missouri),
and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
(West Virginia).
There are also three instances in the United States in which a cathedral and its co-cathedral are in the same city. This usually occurs when a historically important cathedral becomes too small to serve a growing population, and a larger co-cathedral is constructed to accommodate larger services. Examples include:
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
church which shares the function of being a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
's seat, or cathedra
Cathedra
A cathedra or bishop's throne is the chair or throne of a bishop. It is a symbol of the bishop's teaching authority in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, and has in some sense remained such in the Anglican Communion and in Lutheran churches...
, with another cathedral. Instances of this occurred in England before the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
in the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
s of Bath and Wells
Wells
Wells is a cathedral city and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England, on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. Although the population recorded in the 2001 census is 10,406, it has had city status since 1205...
, and of Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
and Lichfield
Lichfield
Lichfield is a cathedral city, civil parish and district in Staffordshire, England. One of eight civil parishes with city status in England, Lichfield is situated roughly north of Birmingham...
, hence the names of these dioceses. In France the bishop of Couserans (a see suppressed at the Revolution) had two co-cathedral churches at Saint-Lizier
Saint-Lizier
Saint-Lizier is a commune in the Ariège department in southwestern France.-History:Saint-Lizier has a rich history stretching back to pre Gallo-Roman times. In 72 BC, Pompey, returning from his triumphs in Spain against Sertorius, stopped here. He gathered together the ancient tribes of the area...
, and the bishop of Sisteron (a see also suppressed) had a second throne in the church of Forcalquier
Forcalquier
Forcalquier is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.Forcalquier is located between the Lure and Luberon mountain ranges, about south of Sisteron and west of the Durance river...
which is still called La Con-cathédrale.
United Kingdom
In the case of YorkYork
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
the collegiate church
Collegiate church
In Christianity, a collegiate church is a church where the daily office of worship is maintained by a college of canons; a non-monastic, or "secular" community of clergy, organised as a self-governing corporate body, which may be presided over by a dean or provost...
es of Beverley
Beverley Minster
Beverley Minster, in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire is a parish church in the Church of England. It is said to be the largest parish church in the UK....
, Ripon and Southwell
Southwell Minster
Southwell Minster is a minster and cathedral, in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, England. It is six miles away from Newark-on-Trent and thirteen miles from Mansfield. It is the seat of the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham and the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham.It is considered an outstanding...
were almost in the same position, but although the archbishop had a stall in each he had no diocesan cathedra in them, and the chapters were not united with that of the metropolitan church in the direct government of the diocese, or the election of the archbishop, nor had they those other rights which were held to denote the cathedral character of a church.
Catholic Church
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
cities, each with their own cathedral or co-cathedral. Examples include the Cathedral of Saint Paul
Cathedral of Saint Paul (Minnesota)
The Cathedral of Saint Paul is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of St. Paul, Minnesota. It is the Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, along with the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. One of the most distinctive cathedrals in the United States, it sits on...
and the Basilica of Saint Mary in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis (Minnesota) and St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica and the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston
The Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is a place of worship located at 1111 St. Joseph Parkway in downtown Houston, Texas. The co-cathedral seats 1,820 people in its sanctuary. Together with the venerable St...
in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (Texas).
Other instances include the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown is a Roman Catholic diocese in Pennsylvania. It was established in May 1901 as the Diocese of Altoona; on October 9, 1957 the name changed to the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. It consists of Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clinton, Huntingdon and...
(Pennsylvania), the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend is a Roman Catholic diocese in north-central and northeastern Indiana. The Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades was appointed diocesan bishop by Pope Benedict XVI on November 14, 2009, and was installed on January 13, 2010...
(Indiana), the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings
Roman Catholic Diocese of Great Falls-Billings
The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings is the Catholic diocese of eastern Montana, established in 1904.Pope Pius X erected the "Diocese of Great Falls" on May 18, 1904, by dividing the Diocese of Helena, which previously comprised the entire state....
(Montana),
the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is a Roman Catholic diocese in southeastern Louisiana. It comprises Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes, the eastern part of St. Mary Parish including Morgan City, and Grand Isle in Jefferson Parish. The diocese was created on June 5, 1977, and was previously part of...
(Louisiana), the Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph
Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the state of Missouri in the United States, erected on September 10, 1880, as the Diocese of Kansas City, with territories taken from the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. ...
(Missouri), the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee is a Roman Catholic diocese in Florida; it was founded on October 1, 1975. The Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee is the pastor of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart located in Pensacola, Florida...
(Florida), the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau is a Roman Catholic diocese in Missouri. It was founded on August 24, 1956. The current bishop is the Most Reverend James Vann Johnston, Jr., appointed January 24, 2008, and installed March 31, 2008....
(Missouri),
and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the southern United States comprising the state of West Virginia. It is a conjoined diocese with two centers of worship, one day expected to be split into two separate...
(West Virginia).
There are also three instances in the United States in which a cathedral and its co-cathedral are in the same city. This usually occurs when a historically important cathedral becomes too small to serve a growing population, and a larger co-cathedral is constructed to accommodate larger services. Examples include:
- The Cathedral of Our Lady of PeaceCathedral of Our Lady of PeaceThe Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace — also known by its original French name Cathédrale de Notre Dame de la Paix, its Portuguese variant Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Paz and its Hawaiian derivative Malia o ka Malu Hale Pule Nui — is the Mother Church of the Diocese of Honolulu and houses...
and the Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa of the Child JesusCo-Cathedral of Saint Theresa of the Child JesusThe Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus is a cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church and its Diocese of Honolulu. Located in the outskirts of downtown Honolulu, Hawaii, it is larger in physical size as a church and parish territory than the principal Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace...
, both within walking distance of each other in the Diocese of HonoluluRoman Catholic Diocese of HonoluluThe Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, officially in Latin Dioecesis Honoluluensis, is an ecclesiastical territory or particular church of the Catholic Church in the United States...
(Hawaii). - The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph's Co-Cathedral in the Diocese of Burlington (Vermont).
- The Cathedral of Mary Our QueenCathedral of Mary Our QueenThe Cathedral of Mary Our Queen is a cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church located at 5200 North Charles Street, in northern Baltimore, Maryland....
and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryBasilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryThe Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also called the Baltimore Basilica, was the first Roman Catholic cathedral built in the United States, and was the first major religious building constructed in the nation after the adoption of the U.S. Constitution...
in the Archdiocese of BaltimoreRoman Catholic Archdiocese of BaltimoreThe Metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. The archdiocese comprises the City of Baltimore as well as Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, and Washington Counties in Maryland...
(Maryland).
Episcopal Church
In the Episcopal Church, both the Diocese of Iowa and the Diocese of Minnesota each have two cathedrals, both located in different cities; however, they are not styled "co-cathedrals."See also
- St. John's co-cathedral, Malta
- List of the Roman Catholic cathedrals of the United States