although, as above described, the methods of diocesan administration exhibit no little variety, there exists on the other hand a certain uniformity. each diocese, after all, is bound to observe the common law, has an identical range of freedom, and identical limits to its authority. each diocese, therefore, is likely, "a priori", to develop its administration along similar lines, but does so regularly in harmony with others, particularly neighbouring dioceses. in this way the dioceses of a given country come to have similar official administration.