Title I. Particular Churches and the Authority Established in Them (Cann. 368 - 430)

CHAPTER I. Particular Churches

Can.368 Particular churches, in which and from which the one and only Catholic Church exists, are first of all

dioceses, to which, unless it is otherwise evident, are likened a territorial prelature and territorial abbacy, an apostolic

vicariate and an apostolic prefecture, and an apostolic administration erected in a stable manner.

Can.369 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, 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.

Can.370 A territorial prelature or territorial abbacy is a certain portion of the people of God which is defined

territorially and whose care, due to special circumstances, is entrusted to some prelate or abbot who governs it as its

proper pastor just like a diocesan bishop.

Can.371 §1. An apostolic vicariate or apostolic prefecture is a certain portion of the people of God which has not yet

been established as a diocese due to special circumstances and which, to be shepherded, is entrusted to an apostolic

vicar or apostolic prefect who governs it in the name of the Supreme Pontiff.

§2. An apostolic administration is a certain portion of the people of God which is not erected as a diocese by

the Supreme Pontiff due to special and particularly grave reasons and whose pastoral care is entrusted to an apostolic

administrator who governs it in the name of the Supreme Pontiff.

Can.372 §1. As a rule, a portion of the people of God which constitutes a diocese or other particular church is limited

to a definite territory so that it includes all the faithful living in the territory.

§2. Nevertheless, where in the judgment of the supreme authority of the Church it seems advantageous after

the conferences of bishops concerned have been heard, particular churches distinguished by the rite of the faithful

or some other similar reason can be erected in the same territory.

Can.373 It is only for the supreme authority to erect particular churches; those legitimately erected possess juridic

personality by the law itself.

Can.374 §1. Every diocese or other particular church is to be divided into distinct parts or parishes.

§2. To foster pastoral care through common action, several neighboring parishes can be joined into special

groups, such as vicariates forane.