The phrase SEDE PLENA is often used in the Catholic Church to indicate that a bishop's chair is occupied. It is pronounced /ˈsɛdɛ ˈplɛna/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first word, SEDE, is pronounced with a short e sound in the first syllable followed by a long e sound in the second syllable. The second word, PLENA, is pronounced with a short e sound in the first syllable followed by a long e sound in the second syllable, and the stress is on the second syllable.
Sede plena is a Latin term that translates to "with a full seat" in English. It is a legal and canonical term used to describe a situation when a position or office is occupied or filled by an individual who is lawfully in power and exercising the duties and authority of that position. Sede plena typically refers to a situation when a higher-ranking official or leader is present in their office or seat, actively performing their responsibilities.
The term is frequently used in religious contexts, particularly within the Roman Catholic Church, to describe the presence of a bishop or pope who is actively performing their duties and exercising their authority within their respective diocese or the Holy See. In such cases, the religious office is considered to be "with a full seat" due to the presence of the incumbent bishop or pope.
Sede plena is the opposite of the term "sede vacante," which means "a vacant seat." Sede vacante is used when a position or office is temporarily unoccupied or vacant, such as during a period of transition, death, or resignation of the previous occupant.
Overall, the term sede plena emphasizes the legitimate and active occupation of a position or office by an incumbent leader, denoting the functional presence of authority and responsibility within a particular jurisdiction or organization.
The phrase "Sede plena" is derived from Latin and can be translated as "the seat is full".
"Sede" comes from the Latin word "sedes", meaning "seat" or "chair". It is a noun form of the verb "sedere", which means "to sit". In many contexts, it refers to a position of authority or a location where official actions take place.
"Plena" is the feminine form of the adjective "plenus", which means "full" or "filled".
When combined, "Sede plena" refers to a situation where a position or seat of authority is occupied or filled by someone. It is often used in the Catholic Church to indicate that a bishopric or an episcopal seat is currently occupied by a bishop, as opposed to "Sede vacante", which means "the seat is vacant" when there is no bishop in office.