The cathedral, as the seat of the bishop, is the mother Church of a diocese, the area under the bishop’s supervision. Each cathedral has an importanct role in providing a focus for the life and work of the Church of England in the diocese.
Many diocesan services and events, such as ordinations, confirmations and services to mark major festivals, are held at the cathedral and members of churches within the diocese come to the cathedral to attend such services and to gather together.