What is the difference between an abbey and a cathedral?

Answer 1

ABBEY:
1. a monastery under the supervision of an abbot or a convent under the supervision of an abbess.
2. the group of buildings comprising such a monastery or convent.
3. the church of an abbey.

CATHEDRAL:
. the principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop's throne.
2. (in nonepiscopal denominations) any of various important churches.
–adjective 3. pertaining to or containing a bishop's throne.
4. pertaining to or emanating from a chair of office or authority.

Answer 2

A cathedral is the principle church in a diocese. It is where the bishop of that diocese is based. An abbey is a church (and its associated buildings and grounds) which is occupied by a community of monks or nuns and ruled over by an abbot or an abbess. A minster was a mother church for an area - the central place from where priests went out to serve in the surrounding daughter churches. The minster system of churches flourished during the Saxon period in England, and has long since died out. However, some churches retain the name of minster, even though they no longer serve that role (one example of this is York Minster). Similaraly, there are some churches which used to be abbeys, and still retain the name, even though they are no longer used by monks. Examples include Westminster Abbey, Dorchester Abbey and Malmesbury Abbey.

Answer 3

Nuns & monks study and live at an abbey. Managed by an abbot/ess. A cathedral is a major church managed by a bishop. But there could be overlaps.

Answer 4

A Cathedral signifies that there is a bishop as vicar.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 5

A cathedral contains the throne of a bishop ("cathedra" - latin for "seat") and an abbey doesn't.

Answer 6

Isn't it obvious?

Answer 7

the spire?