noun
Specifically a church that contains the bishop's throne (cathedra); the principal church of a diocese. Compare 司教座聖堂, which is a more formal term for a cathedral.
See also: 司教座聖堂
その町の司教座教会はゴシック様式で建てられている。
The cathedral in that town is built in Gothic style.
司教座聖堂 is a more formal or official term for a cathedral, often used in liturgical or canonical contexts, while 司教座教会 is a more general term for a cathedral church.
Compound of 司教座 (bishop's seat, diocese) and 教会 (church). The term directly corresponds to the concept of a cathedral in Christianity.