Province of Milan
The Ecclesiastical Province of Milan is an ecclesiastical province of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church in Italy. It is centered on the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Milan, one of the oldest and largest sees in Europe, distinguished by its use of the Ambrosian Rite. The province covers much of the Lombardy region and includes nine suffragan dioceses. It has played a central role in the history of Western Christianity since the time of Saint Ambrose.
Stored in Cargo: Province of Milan
| Ecclesiastical Province Province of Milan | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Ambrosian / Latin Rite |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | Archdiocese of Milan |
| Metropolitan Archbishop: | Mario Enrico Delpini |
| Suffragan Dioceses: | Diocese of Bergamo; Diocese of Brescia; Diocese of Como; Diocese of Crema; Diocese of Cremona; Diocese of Lodi; Diocese of Mantova; Diocese of Pavia; Diocese of Vigevano |
| Country: | Italy |
| Region: | Lombardy |
| Website: | http://www.chiesadimilano.it/ |
| Existence: | 4th century–present |
| Number of Suffragans: | 9 |
Establishment
The Diocese of Milan was erected in the 1st or early 3rd century, with organized Christian communities attested by the early 4th century. It was elevated to metropolitan status in the 4th century.
History
The province rose to prominence under Saint Ambrose, bishop from 374 to 397, who defended Nicene orthodoxy and shaped Western theology and liturgy. It maintained strong influence through the Middle Ages and Counter-Reformation, notably under Saint Charles Borromeo. Boundary adjustments have occurred over the centuries in alignment with civil changes in northern Italy.
Geography
The province covers much of the Lombardy region in northern Italy. The metropolitan archdiocese itself spans approximately 4,208 square kilometers.
Leadership
The current metropolitan archbishop is Mario Enrico Delpini (since 2017).
For the full historical succession of metropolitans, see the Archdiocese of Milan article.
Composition
The province consists of the following suffragan dioceses: Template:ProvinceDioceses
Statistics
The metropolitan archdiocese serves approximately 4.9 million Catholics with over 1,100 parishes. Province-wide figures represent one of the largest Catholic populations in Europe.
References
External links
- [Official website of the Archdiocese of Milan](http://www.chiesadimilano.it/)
- [Catholic-Hierarchy: Archdiocese of Milan](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmila.html)