Roman Catholic Diocese of Metz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Diocese of Metz Dioecesis Metensis Diocèse de Metz
Metz Cathedral
Coat of arms
Location
Country	France
Metropolitan	Exempt directly to the Holy See
Statistics
Area	6,226 km2 (2,404 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2013) 1,045,066 813,000 (77.8%)
Information
Denomination	Catholic Church
Sui iuris church	Latin Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Cathedral	Cathedral of St. Stephen in Metz
Patron saint	Saint Stephen
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Philippe Ballot
Emeritus Bishops	Jean-Christophe Lagleize

The Diocese of Metz is a special area of the Catholic Church in France. It is called a diocese and is led by a bishop. In the past, during the Middle Ages, it was a very powerful area. It was known as a prince-bishopric within the Holy Roman Empire. This meant it was like its own small country, ruled by a prince-bishop. This leader also held the title of a count.

In 1552, King Henry II of France took control of Metz. This change was officially recognized in 1648 by the Peace of Westphalia. This peace treaty ended a long war in Europe. The Diocese of Metz became part of a region known as the Three Bishoprics. Since 1801, the Metz diocese has had a special legal status in France. It is directly connected to the Holy See, which is the central government of the Catholic Church in Rome.

A Look Back: The History of Metz Diocese

The area of Metz definitely had a bishop by the year 535 AD. It might have even had one earlier than that. One of its oldest churches, the Basilica of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains, was built on the site of an old Roman building. This Roman building was likely one of the first places where Christians gathered in France.

Changes Over Time: From Trier to the Holy See

Originally, the Diocese of Metz was part of a larger church area led by the Archdiocese of Trier. After the French Revolution, the last prince-bishop, Cardinal Louis de Montmorency-Laval, left. The old way the diocese was organized fell apart.

In 1801, a special agreement called the Concordat of 1801 brought the diocese back. It then covered a larger area, including parts of what are now the Moselle, Ardennes, and Forêts regions. It was placed under the Archdiocese of Besançon. Later, in 1817, some parts of the diocese became part of Prussia (a German state). These parts were then moved to the Diocese of Trier.

Metz and Germany: A Unique Status

By 1871, the main areas of the Metz diocese became part of Germany. In 1874, the diocese, now smaller and fitting within the new German region of Lorraine, became directly connected to the Holy See. This meant it reported straight to the Pope. Around 1910, about 533,000 Catholics lived in the Metz diocese.

In 1905, France passed a law to separate the Church and the State. This law changed how religious groups were organized. However, this law did not apply to the Metz diocese because it was part of Germany at the time. After World War I, Metz returned to France. But its special status, based on the 1801 agreement, was kept. This is part of what is called the Local law in Alsace-Moselle.

During World War II, from 1940 to 1944, Germany occupied Metz again. After 1944, it became French once more. Because of the 1801 agreement, the French government helps choose the bishop for Metz. The government also pays the clergy (church leaders). Catholic students in public schools can also receive religious education based on the diocese's rules.

Bishops of Metz

See also

• Catholic Church in France