Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, has faced several issues in recent years. The Diocese of Lincoln, established in 1887, is one of the most conservative in the state and country, comprising the majority of eastern and central portions of Nebraska south of the Platte River. In 2020, Nebraska's Attorney General issued over 400 subpoenas to Catholic churches and institutions, including the Diocese of Lincoln, seeking information on historical child sexual abuse and assault within the church. The Diocese has also faced allegations of clerical abuse and toxic religious exclusion, particularly at St. Theresa's church. Lincoln's Catholic community has also been impacted by legislative issues, with the Nebraska Catholic Conference successfully influencing bills into law during the 2023-24 legislative biennium.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of establishment | 2nd August 1887 |
| Person responsible for establishment | Pope Leo XIII |
| First Bishop | Reverend Thomas Bonacum |
| Current Bishop | James D. Conley |
| Catholic population in 1888 | 23,000 |
| Number of priests in 1888 | 32 |
| Number of parishes in 1888 | 29 |
| Number of parochial schools in 1888 | 3 |
| Catholic population in 1911 | 37,000 |
| Number of priests in 1911 | 84 |
| Number of churches in 1911 | 135 |
| Number of parochial schools in 1911 | 28 |
| Number of schools in 2025 | 27 |
| Number of students in 2025 | 7600 |
| Number of parishes in 2020 | 134 |
| Number of subpoenas issued by the Nebraska Attorney General in 2020 | 400 |
| Reason for subpoenas | Allegations of child sexual abuse and misconduct with minors |
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What You'll Learn
Allegations of sexual abuse in Catholic churches and institutions
In 2020, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson issued more than 400 subpoenas to Catholic churches and institutions across the state. The legal summonses sought records and information related to any child sexual assault and abuse within the church, perpetrated by those employed or associated with each church or institution. This included all previous reports and spanned 40 years of internal investigative records. The state's three dioceses cooperated with the investigation.
The Diocese of Lincoln, a Latin Church diocese in Nebraska, was established in 1887 following the arrival of many Irish, German and Czech Catholic immigrants to the region. As of 2025, the diocese was operating 27 schools with an approximate enrollment of 7600 students. The Lincoln diocese is considered one of the most conservative in the state, if not the country.
In response to the subpoenas, Lincoln Bishop James Conley announced that an independent task force would review allegations of child sexual abuse and misconduct with minors and how the diocese handled them. The diocese's four-person task force was instructed to issue a final report on its findings and what information to release to the public. Conley took a leave of absence soon after, seeking treatment for depression, anxiety, insomnia and tinnitus.
The Lincoln Diocese released the names of nine former priests—three of them deceased—facing substantiated allegations. One priest was removed for alleged immoral conduct with a woman. While there are no known cases of clergy abusing children, there may have been an incident in the late 1980s.
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The Catholic Church's influence on state government
The Catholic Church has a notable influence on state government in Nebraska, particularly in Lincoln, where the Diocese of Lincoln holds significant sway. Established in 1887 by Pope Leo XIII, the diocese comprises the majority of the eastern and central portions of Nebraska south of the Platte River. With a long history of Catholic immigration, Lincoln has a substantial Catholic population, and the diocese currently operates 27 schools with approximately 7,600 students enrolled.
The Lincoln diocese is known for its conservative stance, and there have been reports of regressive and exclusionary practices within some of its parishes. The diocese has also faced scrutiny over allegations of child sexual abuse and misconduct by clergy members, with the state issuing over 400 subpoenas to Catholic churches and institutions to release information related to such cases. In response, the diocese established an independent task force to review these allegations and has pledged its support in addressing criminal behaviour.
The Nebraska Catholic Conference, an organisation that advocates with the Nebraska Legislature, exemplifies the Church's influence on state politics. During the 2023-24 legislative session, the Conference successfully helped advance several bills into law while also defeating every bill it opposed, demonstrating its ability to shape legislation according to Catholic social teaching.
While some individuals express dissatisfaction with specific parishes and their conservative teachings, others appreciate the sense of connection to their heritage and community that the Church provides. The Church's influence on state government is a complex issue, and Lincoln's experience reflects the broader tensions and controversies surrounding the Catholic Church's role in society.
In conclusion, the Catholic Church's influence on state government in Lincoln, Nebraska, is significant, with the Diocese of Lincoln playing a central role in shaping religious and political discourse. The Church's conservative nature, its impact on legislation, and its efforts to address internal scandals all contribute to a complex dynamic between religious and governmental authorities in the region.
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The Diocese of Lincoln's conservative nature
The Diocese of Lincoln, established in 1887, is a Latin Church diocese in Nebraska, United States. It is one of the most conservative dioceses in the state, if not the entire country. The diocese comprises the majority of the eastern and central portions of the state south of the Platte River.
The diocese was established following the arrival of many Irish, German, and Czech Catholic immigrants to the region. When it was first established, the diocese had a Catholic population of 23,000 with 32 priests, 29 parishes, and three parochial schools. By 1911, the Catholic population had grown to 37,000, with 84 priests, 135 churches, and
The conservative nature of the Diocese of Lincoln is evident in the experiences shared by some of its parishioners. For example, a priest at St. Teresa's reportedly stated that women who have had abortions should be excluded from being Catholics. Additionally, in another instance, a priest advised a parishioner to remain in an abusive marriage.
The diocese has also faced allegations of child sexual abuse and misconduct with minors. In 2020, the Nebraska Attorney General issued over 400 subpoenas to Catholic churches and institutions in the state, including the Diocese of Lincoln, seeking information on child sexual assault and abuse. The diocese cooperated with the investigation and established an independent task force to review the allegations.
Despite the conservative reputation of the Diocese of Lincoln, there are newer churches within the diocese that are reported to be more down-to-earth and accepting of outsiders, such as St. Michael's.
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Lincoln's Catholic schools and their legislative issues
Lincoln, Nebraska, has a rich history of Catholic education, with the Diocese of Lincoln established in 1887 following an influx of Irish, German, and Czech Catholic immigrants to the region. As of 2025, the Diocese of Lincoln operates 27 schools with an approximate enrollment of 7600 students. The Catholic community in Lincoln is actively engaged in legislative issues, with organizations like the Nebraska Catholic Conference advocating for various causes.
The Lincoln diocese is known for its conservative leanings, and its schools aim to provide an education that is "Authentically Catholic, Distinctly Different, and Surprisingly Possible." The strong presence of priests and religious figures in these schools ensures a values-based learning environment that embodies the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church.
One of the challenges faced by Catholic schools in navigating legislative issues while remaining true to their faith and values. For instance, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New York have engaged with state government officials regarding an outdated law mandating that all school-age instruction be "substantially equivalent" to that of public schools. This law gives local public school district officials the authority to evaluate and determine the continuity of Catholic schools. While this specific issue pertains to New York, it underscores the broader landscape of legislative navigation for Catholic schools.
Catholic schools in Lincoln strive to provide a holistic education that extends beyond academics. They offer a range of extracurricular activities that enable students to share and live their Catholic faith. The schools aim to instill values such as respect for self and others, personal discipline, and virtue.
While there is limited information on specific legislative issues faced by Lincoln's Catholic schools, the Nebraska Catholic Conference actively engages with the Nebraska Legislature to advance bills that align with Catholic social teaching. They have successfully helped pass numerous bills into law and defeated every legislative bill they opposed during the 2023-24 legislative biennium.
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Lincoln's Catholic population and parishes
Lincoln, Nebraska, has a significant Catholic population, with a rich history dating back to the 19th century. The Diocese of Lincoln, established in 1887, was formed following the arrival of Irish, German, and Czech Catholic immigrants to the region. As of 2023, the total population of the diocese was 613,440, with a Catholic population of approximately 97,027. This number has grown steadily over the years, with 37,000 Catholics reported in 1911 and 23,000 in 1888.
The diocese encompasses the majority of eastern and central Nebraska, south of the Platte River. It includes 134 parishes, served by 164 priests, with 130 active in the diocese, 12 outside, and 22 retired. There are also 39 seminarians and 135 religious sisters. The Cathedral of the Risen Christ is the cathedral parish of the diocese, and the current bishop is James D. Conley.
Lincoln's Catholic community is served by several parishes and schools. St. Michael's Church is known for its welcoming attitude toward those of other faiths or none, and St. Mary's Catholic Church, also known as the Old Cathedral, offers a post-abortion healing ministry program called Hearts Restored Nebraska. Other parishes in Lincoln include St. Patrick's, St. Peter's, St. Joseph's, St. Wenceslaus, and St. Teresa's.
The Lincoln diocese has a reputation for being one of the most conservative in the state and the country. In 1996, then-bishop Fabian Bruskewitz issued a statement forbidding Catholics in the diocese from joining certain organizations, including Planned Parenthood and Catholics for a Free Choice, under threat of excommunication. The diocese has also been criticized for its handling of child abuse reporting and protection, with allegations of clergy toxicity and exclusionary practices. However, Bishop Conley has stated that the diocese has since complied with all relevant laws and improved its audit processes.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, the Diocese of Lincoln has an approximate student enrollment of 7600. The Catholic population in the diocese was 37,000 in 1911 and 23,000 in 1888.
In 2020, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson issued 400 subpoenas to Catholic churches and institutions in the state to investigate child sexual assault and abuse within the church. The Lincoln Diocese has been dealing with allegations of sexual abuse and has set up an anonymous hotline.
Some Catholic churches in Lincoln, Nebraska, include St. Theresa's, St. Michael's, St. Peter's, St. John's, and St. Mary's.
