Cathedrals and ministers are both significant types of churches, but they serve different roles and have distinct characteristics.
A cathedral is the principal church of a bishop’s diocese and serves as the central location for the administrative functions of the church. It is often grand in design and architecture and features the bishop’s throne, known as the cathedra, which symbolizes the bishop’s authority. Cathedrals tend to be larger and are often located in significant urban areas, serving as a focal point for community worship and religious events.
On the other hand, a minster is typically an older church or a place of worship that was originally associated with a monastic community or missionary work. The term minster has historical roots, deriving from the Old English word for monastery. While minsters can be large and architecturally impressive, they do not necessarily serve as the residence for a bishop and may not hold the same administrative importance as cathedrals. Examples include places like York Minster and Westminster Abbey, which, although significant, do not have diocesan authority in the way cathedrals do.
In summary, the main difference lies in the function and status: cathedrals are bishop-led churches with administrative authority, while minsters typically have historical significance and may not hold the same level of ecclesiastical power.