Canon 431. Neighbouring particular Churches are to be grouped into ecclesiastical provinces, with a certain defined territory. The purpose of this grouping is to promote, according to the circumstances of persons and place, a common pastoral action of various neighbouring dioceses, and the more closely to foster relations between diocesan Bishops.

§2 From now onwards, as a rule, there are to be no exempt dioceses. Accordingly, individual dioceses and other particular Churches which exist within the territory of an ecclesiastical province, must be included in that ecclesiastical province.

§3 It is the exclusive prerogative of the supreme authority in the Church, after consulting the Bishops concerned, to establish, suppress or alter ecclesiastical provinces.

§1. Ut communis diversarum dioecesium vicinarum, iuxta personarum et locorum adiuncta, actio pastoralis promoveatur, utque Episcoporum dioecesanorum inter se relationes aptius foveantur, Ecclesiae particulares viciniores componantur in provincias ecclesiasticas certo territorio circumscriptas.

§2. Dioeceses exemptae deinceps pro regula ne habeantur; itaque singulae dioeceses aliaeque Ecclesiae particulares intra territorium alicuius provinciae ecclesiasticae exsistentes huic provinciae ecclesiasticae adscribi debent.

§3. Unius supremae Ecclesiae auctoritatis est, auditis quorum interest Episcopis, provincias ecclesiasticas constituere, supprimere aut innovare.

Canon 432. §1 The provincial council and the Metropolitan have authority over the ecclesiastical province, in accordance with the law.

§2 By virtue of the law, an ecclesiastical province has juridical personality.

§1. In provincia ecclesiastica auctoritate, ad normam iuris, gaudent concilium provinciale atque Metropolita.

§2. Provincia ecclesiastica ipso iure personalitate iuridica gaudet.

Canon 433. §1 If it seems advantageous, especially in countries where there are very many particular Churches, the Holy See can, on the proposal of the Episcopal
Conference, join together neighbouring provinces into ecclesiastical regions.

§2 An ecclesiastical region can be constituted a juridical person.

§1. Si utilitas id suadeat, praesertim in nationibus ubi numerosiores adsunt Ecclesiae particulares, provinciae ecclesiasticae viciniores, proponente Episcoporum conferentia, a Sancta Sede in regiones ecclesiasticas coniungi possunt.

§2. Regio ecclesiastica in personam iuridicam erigi potest.

Canon 434. It is for a meeting of the Bishops of an ecclesiastical region to foster cooperation and common pastoral action in the region. However the powers given to
Episcopal Conferences in the canons of this Code do not belong to such a meeting, unless some of these powers have been specially granted to it by the Holy See.
[NB see Authentic Interpretation of canon 434, 23.V.1988]

Ad conventum Episcoporum regionis ecclesiasticae pertinet cooperationem et actionem pastoralem communem in regione fovere; quae tamen in canonibus huius Codicis conferentiae Episcoporum tribuuntur potestates, eidem conventui non competunt, nisi quaedam specialiter a Sancta Sede ei concessa fuerint.