Legal Definitions - parish

A "parish" has two distinct meanings, depending on the context:

• In an ecclesiastical (church-related) sense, a parish refers to a specific geographical area served by a particular church or religious community, often overseen by a single pastor or priest.
• In the U.S. state of Louisiana, a parish is a governmental subdivision, which is the equivalent of a "county" in other U.S. states. Louisiana parishes are responsible for local governance, administering a portion of the state, and exercising powers delegated to them by the state government. The state legislature has the authority to create, alter the boundaries of, or dissolve these parishes.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of the term "parish":

• Ecclesiastical Example: When a new family moved into the town of Willow Creek, they looked for a local Catholic church. They found that St. Jude's Parish encompassed their neighborhood, meaning that particular church was responsible for serving the spiritual needs of all residents within those defined boundaries.

  This example illustrates the ecclesiastical meaning of "parish," defining the geographical area of a church's community and responsibility.

• Louisiana Governmental Example 1: A resident of Shreveport, Louisiana, needed to renew their driver's license and register a new boat. They visited the local government offices in Caddo Parish to complete these administrative tasks, as the parish handles these services for its citizens.

  This demonstrates how a Louisiana parish functions as a local governmental entity, providing essential administrative services to its residents, much like a county in other states.

• Louisiana Governmental Example 2: Following a major flood, the officials in Tangipahoa Parish declared a state of emergency, coordinated rescue efforts, and managed the distribution of aid to affected communities within its jurisdiction. They also worked with state agencies to secure funding for infrastructure repairs.

  This example highlights a Louisiana parish exercising its delegated governmental authority to manage local crises, provide public services, and oversee infrastructure within its defined territory, showcasing its role as a key administrative unit.