Ripon Cathedral - 4

Here we have a view of the south west side of the Cathedral.



There are many functions fulfilled by a cathedral. The key one is its function as the bishop's "seat", or cathedra.

A Cathedral is a church that is designated to serve as the central church for its Diocese (a geographic and administrative affiliation of churches).

The Diocese is headed by the Bishop, and the Cathedral is the church in which he is centred. The Cathedral itself is under the pastoral care of priests known as Canons, headed by the Cathedral’s Dean, who serves as the Bishop’s representative.