Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic) - Cathedrals

Cathedrals

From the Middle Ages, the seat of the Archbishop of Dublin was Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, although for many centuries, it shared this status with St Patrick's Cathedral, and the Archbishop had roles at both places. In early times, there was considerable conflict over status but under the six-point agreement of 1300, Pacis Compositio:

• The consecration and enthronement of the Archbishop of Dublin was to take place at Christ Church - records show that this provision was not always followed, with many Archbishops enthroned in both, and at least two in St. Patrick's only
• Christ Church had formal precedence, as the mother and senior cathedral of the diocese
• Christ Church was to retain the cross, mitre and ring of each deceased Archbishop of Dublin
• Deceased Archbishops of Dublin were to be buried alternately in each of the two cathedrals, unless they personally willed otherwise
• The annual consecration of chrism oil for the diocese was to take place at Christ Church
• The two cathedrals were to act as one, and shared equally in their freedoms

As the established Church of Ireland retained both ancient cathedrals after the Reformation, the Roman Catholic prelate had no cathedral for several centuries but now maintains his seat at Saint Mary's Pro-Cathedral.