In this episode of The Catholic Why, we explore what actually happens behind the life of a parish and how it is run day to day in the Catholic Church.

Most Catholics are familiar with their local parish—but fewer understand how it is structured, who is responsible for its leadership, and how decisions are made. We break down the role of the parish priest as the main shepherd of the community, along with the support structures that help a parish function, including administrative staff, volunteers, and parish ministries.

You’ll also learn how parishes are connected to the wider diocese, how financial and pastoral decisions are managed, and how parish life is shaped by both spiritual mission and practical responsibilities.

If you’ve ever wondered who plans Mass schedules, runs parish programs, maintains church facilities, or oversees community outreach, this episode will help you see the bigger picture of how parish life comes together.

Join us as we continue the Church Governance series—unpacking how the Catholic Church operates from the local parish level to the global Church.

In this episode of The Catholic Why, we explore what Episcopal Conferences are and why they matter in the life of the Catholic Church.

While the Church is universal, it also needs to respond to local cultures, laws, and pastoral needs. This is where Episcopal Conferences come in—gatherings of bishops from a particular country or region who work together to address shared concerns and coordinate pastoral guidance.

We break down how these conferences function, what authority they have, and how they relate to individual bishops and the Pope. You’ll also learn what kinds of decisions are made at this level, from liturgical adaptations to pastoral guidelines, and how unity is maintained while allowing for local expression of the faith.

If you’ve ever wondered how the Church stays consistent globally while still adapting to different countries and cultures, this episode will help make sense of it all.

Join us as we continue the Church Governance series—unpacking how the Catholic Church balances unity and diversity in its mission to teach, guide, and serve the faithful around the world.

In this episode of The Catholic Why, we explore what an archdiocese is and how it fits into the wider structure of the Catholic Church.

At first glance, it might sound like just a “bigger diocese,” but there’s more to it. We break down how an archdiocese is a key regional Church led by an archbishop, often overseeing a group of nearby dioceses called a province.

You’ll learn what makes an archdiocese different from a diocese, what an archbishop actually does, and how leadership and coordination work across multiple dioceses while still maintaining unity with the Pope and the universal Church.

We also look at why certain cities are designated as archdioceses, and how this structure helps the Church organise pastoral care, collaboration, and communication across large regions.

If you’ve ever been confused about the difference between dioceses and archdioceses, this episode will give you a clear and practical understanding.

Join us as we continue the Church Governance series—unpacking how the Catholic Church is structured to guide, connect, and serve the faithful across the world.