Roman Catholic Diocese of Metz

Diocese of Metz

Dioecesis Metensis

Diocèse de Metz
Coat of arms
Location
CountryFrance
MetropolitanExempt directly to the Holy See
Statistics
Area6,226 km2 (2,404 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics
(as of 2021)
1,036,000
805,250 (77.7%)
Parishes649
Information
DenominationCatholic Church
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
CathedralCathedral of St. Stephen in Metz
Patron saintSaint Stephen
Secular priests242 (Diocesan)
33 (Religious Orders)
49 Permanent Deacons
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
BishopPhilippe Ballot
Bishops emeritusJean-Christophe Lagleize
Map
Website
metz-catholique.fr

The Diocese of Metz (Latin: Dioecesis Metensis; French: Diocèse de Metz) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in France. In the Middle Ages it was a prince-bishopric of the Holy Roman Empire, a de facto independent state ruled by the prince-bishop who had the ex officio title of count. It was annexed to France by King Henry II in 1552; this was recognized by the Holy Roman Empire in the Peace of Westphalia of 1648. It formed part of the province of the Three Bishoprics. Since 1801 the Metz diocese has been a public-law corporation of cult (French: établissement public du culte). The diocese is presently exempt directly to the Holy See.