The action was publicized today in Washington by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
«Eparchy» is the term used in Eastern Rite churches for the equivalent of a diocese in the Roman rite.
The Romanian Eparchy in Canton currently includes the entire United States as its territory and serves 5,675 Catholics.
Bishop John Michael Botean, 57, a native of Canton, heads the eparchy, which includes 15 parishes. The eparchy has 21 active priests.
