The Church of England is divided into 42 geographical sub-divisions called dioceses, including the Diocese in Europe. A diocese is the main administrative and pastoral area in the Church of England and their boundaries often roughly coincide with those of local county boundaries.
Dioceses are legally independent bodies, operating often quite separately from other dioceses and the national Church. They are episcopally-led by a diocesan bishop and synodically-governed through the diocesan synod which consist of clergy, bishops and laity. Each diocese has a structure of boards and councils responsible for different aspects of the Church's work including ministry, mission and education.
Dioceses are further subdivided into archdeaconries, deaneries, benefices and parishes. You can find your local church by using our church-finder tool, achurchnearyou.com.
Use the map below to find learn more about each diocese via a link to their own external website. Please note that marked boundaries for each diocese are not exact.
- Archdeaconry
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A set area of a diocese for which an archdeacon is responsible.
- Benefices
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A group of one or more parishes that are looked after by the same priest or team of clergy.
- Parishes
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The smallest pastoral area within the Church of England that a church serves. Each parish has a vicar or priest who leads the congregation.