Cathedral - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition cathedral

Definition :

Cathedral [fr. Kaedpa, Gk., a seat], the church of the bishop and head of the diocese, in which is his seat of dignity. The Cathedral Acts and Measures are 3 & 4 Vict. c. 113, 4 & 5 Vict. c. 39, 6 & 7 Vict. c. 77, 16 & 17 Vict. c. 35, 27 & 28 Vict. c. 70, 36 & 37 Vict. c. 39, 21 & 22 Geo. 5, No. 7, and 24 & 25 Geo. 5, No. 3; and as to Wales, see 6 & 7 Vict. c. 77, and Welsh Church Act, 1914.

Our cathedrals and collegiate churches have been divided into four classes:--1st, consisting of 13, being the cathedrals of the old foundation, or Ecclesi' Cathedrales Canonicorum Secularium; 2nd, consisting of eight conventual cathedrals, constituted with deans and chapters by Hen. VIII; 3rd, containing the five cathedrals founded, together with new bishoprics, by Hen. VIII; 4th, the new cathedrals constituted since that time. See Bishopric.