Under Secretary of Vatican Dicastery for Eastern Churches Assigned Titular See of Aquae in Mauritania

Titular Sees are Episcopal Sees that once existed but no longer function as such due to historical circumstances, such as Catholic and Christian population shifts or suppression.

The Catholic Culture, describes Titular Sees as “some two thousand ancient Catholic dioceses and archdioceses whose titles are now given to those bishops who do not occupy residential sees” including Auxiliary Bishops, Coadjutor Bishops, Vicars Apostolic, as well as “officials of the Roman Curia.”

Often located in Asia Minor, North Africa, the Balkans, and parts of Europe such as Greece, these territories became extinct “after the Moslems had destroyed the Church in these lands”, the Catholic Culture has explained. Thus, the Episcopal Sees may, over time, have been dissolved or absorbed into existent Dioceses and Archdioceses. 

Historically, these territories were referred to as “in partibus infidelium,” which means, meaning “in the lands of the infidels/unbelievers.” To better reflect their honorary status, Pope Leo XIII changed the terminology to Titular Sees in 1882.

Church leaders assigned Titular Sees have the duty to maintain a historical and spiritual connection with their respective Sees; the practice underscores the Church's continuity and her honouring of these Titular Sees.

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Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.