Differences between a church, a cathedral and a basilica!!

[jzeitouni]

What are the differences between a church, a cathedral and a basilica?? What makes one more grand than the other??

[DavidObeid]

Hi Jessica,

There are a number of distinctions made in formally set aside Catholic places of worship.

The distinctions you ask about:

A parish church is the place specially consecrated for the members of a parish to come together for Mass.

A cathedral (from the Latin word "cathedra" - chair) is the chief church of a diocese and where the Bishop is based.

A basilica is a church of pre-eminence either because of its great architecture or historical importance.

[jzeitouni]

Thanks David :)

[Maiden Dame]

A cathedral (from the Latin word "cathedra" - chair) is the chief church of a diocese and where the Bishop is based.

A basilica is a church of pre-eminence either because of its great architecture or historical importance.

Where would the Catholic Maronite ones be? ....and just to add, where does Our Bishop Ad Abi Karam sleep? Where does he live?

[New Jack Swinger]

Hey Sandy,

The Maronite Cathedral in Sydney is St. Maroun's in Redfern. Our Maronite Bishop resides in Strathfield. There you will find his residence alongside the Maronite Chancery.

[Maiden Dame]

Thanks Charbel.. The reason for it being ST Maroun's is because thats the 1st Maronite Church in Sydney?? .. and so im assuming we dont have a Basilica? (here or overseas?)
Thank YOU! :D

[DavidObeid]

The cathedral is where the Bishop has as his main church. It can be moved from one church to another, but this is only ever done for good reasons. I guess St. Maroun's in Redfern is the Bishop's church because it (Redfern) used to be a place that was the centre of the Maronite population in Sydney. Will it move further west? I'm not sure, but I can't see the demographic bomb hitting that part of Sydney keeping it viable as a parish for many more generations to come.

[frjohnlm]

hi,
On a Diocese level:
Pastorally speaking, a diocesan Bishop is the head pastor and technically he must be associated with 'a parish' and by virtue as Bishop possessing in himself the highest local church authority the church of his selected parish qualifies as Cathederal.

Now, because the Bishop's matters to guide and manage the faithful are on a Diocese level, for the practical side of things, he appoints a representative to carry out the pastoral care for the Cathederal and its parish. The priest that takes care of the Cathedral's parish matters and administration is technically addressed as 'Dean' of the Cathedral because the Bishop is officially 'the parish priest' of his selected parish.

That is, for the Australian Maronite Diocese (http://maronite.org.au) Bishop Ad Abi-Karam is the official parish priest of St Maroun’s Parish Sydney.

Our Maronite Bishop serves his Diocese from the Chancery which happens to also be where he resides. More so, for the Maronites the Bishop's residency is traditionaly called 'Bait Maroun (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Maronite+Chancery&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=35.150095,64.6875&ie=UTF8&hq=Maronite+Chancery&hnear=&ll=-33.862433,151.066132&spn=0.06386,0.126343&t=h&z=13)'.
Location: 105 The Boulevarde Strathfield, NSW 2135, Australia (02) 9642 0211.


Concerning the Basilica, as David also stated earlier, "A basilica is a church of pre-eminence either because of its great architecture or historical importance." and allow me to add, its capacity.. there is talk amongst 'us' that Our Lady of Lebanon Harris Park (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Our+Lady+of+Lebanon+Church,+Harris+Park,+New+Sou th+Wales&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=56.828725,114.169922&ie=UTF8&hq=Our+Lady+of+Lebanon+Church,&hnear=Harris+Park+New+South+Wales&ll=-33.820359,151.0154&spn=0.003298,0.006968&t=h&z=18&iwloc=A) should qualify as a Basilica.

However,at Our Lady of Lebanon 'Harissa (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=our+lady+of+lebanon+shrine+Lebanon+Map&ie=UTF8&hq=our+lady+of+lebanon+shrine+Lebanon&hnear=&ll=33.982887,35.651879&spn=0.007526,0.015793&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A)' top of a hill, 650 meters above sea level overlooking the Mediterranean stands the Maronite Basilica behind the reputable Holy Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=our+lady+of+lebanon+shrine+Lebanon+Map&ie=UTF8&hq=our+lady+of+lebanon+shrine+Lebanon&hnear=&ll=33.982887,35.651879&spn=0.007526,0.015793&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A) which the Maronite migrants are honourably referring to as they establish churches in 'Our Lady of Lebanon' title all over the world..

[DellaJMJ]

How about a chapel???

[DavidObeid]

The word chapel comes from the Latin word for "small cape". The idea is that it is a "small place" (small being relative) where Mass is celebrated or other devotions practiced.

[danieljankovic]

I thought Cathedra mean't Throne

[DavidObeid]

It does. What's a throne?

[danieljankovic]

I know but a chair is a chair, a throne is a magesterial chair lol

[danieljankovic]

sounds more powerful and authoritative

[DavidObeid]

It's not the name of the chair that makes it a throne, but the royalty who sits on it.

[danieljankovic]

Touche' Mr Obeid.