Grace Thompson
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of Catholic Church hierarchy in the United States and its territories, including Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As of 2025, there are 439 active and retired (arch)bishops in the United States, with 273 active bishops, including six cardinals, 29 archbishops, 162 diocesan bishops, and 76 auxiliary bishops. The Archdioceses and Dioceses are divided into 14 geographic regions, with the Eastern Catholic Churches constituting their own membership region for USCCB proceedings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of active and retired Catholic bishops in the US | 439 |
| Total number of active Catholic bishops in the US | 273 |
| Total number of Eastern Catholic metropoliae in the US | 2 |
| Total number of Latin Church dioceses in the US | 176 |
| Total number of Eastern Catholic eparchies in the US | 17 |
| Total number of foreign-born bishops serving in the US | 38 |
| Total number of archdioceses/dioceses in the US | 194 |
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What You'll Learn
There are 273 active Catholic bishops in the US
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy in the United States and the US Virgin Islands. There are 273 active Catholic bishops in the US, including six cardinals, 29 archbishops, 162 diocesan bishops, and 76 auxiliary bishops.
The Catholic Church in the United States comprises 176 or 177 Latin Church dioceses in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands. There are also 17 Eastern Catholic eparchies, and the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, which provides pastoral care and spiritual services to those serving in the armed forces of the United States.
The Archdioceses and Dioceses of the United States are divided into 14 geographic regions, with the Eastern Catholic Churches constituting their own membership region for USCCB proceedings. These regions typically include two or more Metropolitan Archdioceses and several Dioceses across one or more states. Most archdioceses and large dioceses have one or more auxiliary bishops, serving under the direction of the archbishop or bishop.
In addition to the 273 active Catholic bishops in the US, there are about 168 retired bishops, bringing the total number of active and retired bishops in the country to around 441.
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38 of them are foreign-born
As of 2021, there were approximately 268 active Catholic bishops in the United States, providing spiritual leadership to millions of Catholics across the country. Among these bishops, an interesting diversity is observed, with 38 of them being foreign-born. This accounts for around 14% of the total number of active bishops in the US Catholic Church. This statistic highlights the global nature of the Catholic Church and the contributions of international clergy to the American Catholic community. These foreign-born bishops bring a wealth of cultural and linguistic diversity to their dioceses, often serving immigrant communities and those with specific linguistic or cultural needs.
The presence of foreign-born bishops in the US is a testament to the global reach and unity of the Catholic Church. It demonstrates the Church's ability to transcend national and cultural boundaries, uniting people of diverse backgrounds under a shared faith. These bishops have often brought their unique experiences and perspectives to their roles, contributing to the richness and vibrancy of the American Catholic Church. They may have been appointed to serve in the US due to their expertise in areas such as canon law, theology, or pastoral care, or because they possess valuable linguistic skills that cater to the needs of specific immigrant communities.
The countries of origin of these 38 foreign-born bishops vary, reflecting the diverse makeup of the Catholic Church worldwide. Some may hail from traditionally Catholic countries in Europe, such as Italy, Ireland, or Poland, bringing with them a rich heritage of Catholic tradition and history. Others may have origins in Latin America, a region with a strong Catholic presence, and thus contribute a unique perspective shaped by the cultural and social dynamics of their home countries. Still, others may come from regions where Catholics are a minority, offering a distinct viewpoint informed by their experiences of living and ministering in contexts of religious diversity.
The appointments of these bishops also reflect the changing demographics of the United States and the Catholic Church's response to the needs of its diverse flock. With significant immigration to the US from various parts of the world, the presence of foreign-born bishops can help cater to the cultural and linguistic needs of these immigrant communities. For example, a bishop from Vietnam or the Philippines may better understand the cultural and spiritual needs of Vietnamese or Filipino immigrant communities in the US and ensure that their unique needs are addressed within the broader American Catholic context.
The contributions of these foreign-born bishops are significant. They often play pivotal roles in fostering cultural diversity within their dioceses, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and building bridges between different ethnic communities. With their unique backgrounds and experiences, they can offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by the Catholic Church in a multicultural society. Additionally, their presence can encourage and inspire young people from similar backgrounds to consider vocations in the Church, thereby fostering a more inclusive and representative clergy.
The presence of 38 foreign-born bishops among the active Catholic bishops in the US enriches the Church and contributes to its dynamism and adaptability. Their service reflects the universal nature of the Catholic faith and the ability of the Church to embrace and celebrate diversity. These bishops, through their dedication and ministry, help ensure that the Catholic Church in the United States is a welcoming and inclusive spiritual home for people from all walks of life.
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US Catholic bishops are spread across 14 geographic regions
The Catholic Church in the United States is divided into 14 geographic regions, each with its own archdiocese or diocese. These regions typically include two or more metropolitan archdioceses and several dioceses spread across one or more states. The Eastern Catholic Churches, with their distinctive liturgical and legal systems, constitute their own membership region.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy in the United States and its territories, including Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are 439 to 441 active and retired Catholic bishops in the USCCB, with 273 active bishops.
The Catholic Church in the United States comprises 176 to 177 Latin Church dioceses in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are also 17 Eastern Catholic eparchies and two Eastern Catholic metropoliae. The Eparchies and Archeparchies have jurisdiction over large areas of the United States (and Canada) based on the breadth of each individual Church.
The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is unique in that it is not designated as a metropolitan archdiocese. It provides pastoral care and spiritual services to those serving in the armed forces and their dependents. Additionally, there is the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, a special diocese for Anglican converts to Catholicism.
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There are 194 archdioceses/dioceses in the US
The Catholic Church in the United States is divided into 194 archdioceses and dioceses. These are spread across 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands. The Archdioceses and Dioceses are further divided into 14 geographic membership regions for USCCB proceedings.
The USCCB, or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy of the United States and the US Virgin Islands. It includes all active and retired bishops—diocesan, coadjutor, and auxiliary—in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands.
Archdioceses and dioceses become vacant when the Ordinary Bishop resigns, passes away, or is transferred to another See. These dioceses are then overseen by an administrator who is a priest or bishop at least 35 years old. This administrator is chosen by the College of Consultors of the (Arch)Diocese within eight days of the See becoming vacant. The Pope may also appoint an Apostolic Administrator, typically the Metropolitan Archbishop, a local retired Bishop, or a suffragan Bishop.
The Catholic dioceses and archdioceses of the United States include the dioceses of the Latin Church, which employ the Roman Rite and other Latin liturgical rites, and various other dioceses, primarily the eparchies of the Eastern Catholic Churches. The Eastern Catholic Churches have their own distinctive liturgical, legal, and organizational systems and are identified by the national or ethnic character of their region of origin. They are considered fully equal to the Latin tradition within the Church in the United States.
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Bishops are appointed by the Pope
The process of selecting bishops in the Latin-rite (Roman Catholic) Church generally follows a process that results in a decision made by the Pope. The Pope is free to select anyone he chooses, but the process of selecting candidates for the episcopacy normally begins at the diocesan level and works its way through a series of consultations until it reaches Rome. It is a time-consuming process, often taking eight months or more to complete.
The Dicasteries of the Roman Curia responsible for the appointment study the documentation provided by the nuncio, taking into consideration his opinion. However, they are not obligated to accept his proposal and may request another list of candidates or additional information on the individuals presented. When the congregation decides on a candidate, the list and related conclusions are presented to the Pope, who makes the appointment. The newly appointed bishop must obtain episcopal consecration within three months of receiving the papal bull of his appointment.
The process for selecting bishops typically begins locally, with each diocese being part of a larger grouping called metropolitan provinces, each with an archbishop. One important element in selecting a bishop is the list of priests that the bishops of the ecclesiastical province or the whole episcopal conference judge to be suitable generically. They are required to draw up this list at least once every three years. When it comes to a concrete appointment for a particular see, the papal representative (apostolic nuncio or delegate) asks either the outgoing bishop or, in the case of a vacant see, the vicar general or diocesan administrator, to draw up a report on its situation and needs.
The apostolic nuncio plays a decisive role in the selection process by gathering facts and information about potential candidates and interpreting that information for the Congregation. While great weight is given to the nuncio's recommendations, his role as a "gatekeeper" does not mean that his recommendations are always followed. The nuncio conducts his own investigation into the suitability of the candidates, requesting a report from the current bishop or administrator of a diocese on its conditions and needs. If the appointment is a replacement for a retiring bishop or archbishop, consideration will be given to the incumbent's recommendations.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 273 active Catholic bishops in the US.
There are 168 retired Catholic bishops in the US.
The USCCB is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
There are 177 Latin-rite dioceses and 17 Eastern Catholic eparchies in the US.
