Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church in the United States is divided into 194 archdioceses and dioceses, with 439 active and retired bishops. The Archdiocese of Baltimore was the first diocese established in the United States in 1789. The Catholic Church has the third-highest number of local congregations in the US, with 17,007 local parishes in 2018. The average diocese incorporates about 350,000 Catholic Christians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic Dioceses in the USA | 194 |
| Number of Archdioceses in the USA | 33 |
| Number of Catholic Bishops in the USA | 439 |
| Number of Catholic Parishes in the USA | 17,007 |
| Number of Catholics in the USA | 35,000 |
| First Diocese in the USA | Archdiocese of Baltimore |
| Year of the First Diocese in the USA | 1789 |
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What You'll Learn
- The US has 194 archdioceses/dioceses, plus the Archdiocese for the Military Services
- There are 439 active and retired archbishops in the US
- US Catholic Church has 19,000 parishes, 35,000 lay ecclesial ministers
- The Eastern Catholic Churches are equal to the Latin tradition in the US
- The first US diocese was the Archdiocese of Baltimore, in 1789
The US has 194 archdioceses/dioceses, plus the Archdiocese for the Military Services
The Catholic Church in the United States is divided into 194 archdioceses and dioceses, each led by a bishop. These dioceses are further grouped into 14 geographic regions, each consisting of multiple archdioceses and dioceses spread across one or more states. In addition to these, there is the Archdiocese for the Military Services, which provides pastoral care and spiritual services to those serving in the armed forces, the Veterans Affairs facilities, and their dependents. This archdiocese is functionally similar to a metropolitan diocese, yet it is not officially classified as one.
The Catholic Church in the United States also includes Eastern Catholic Churches, which have their own distinctive liturgical, legal, and organizational systems. These churches are identified by the national or ethnic character of their region of origin and are considered equal to the Latin tradition within the Church. The Eparchies and Archeparchies of the Eastern Catholic Churches have jurisdiction over large areas of the United States and Canada.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy in the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It includes auxiliary and retired bishops, who are non-voting members. The USCCB is led by the bishops, who govern their respective dioceses and collectively represent the Catholic Church in the country.
The Catholic Church in the United States has a significant presence, with approximately 19,000 parishes and 35,000 lay ecclesial ministers serving nationwide. According to a 2015 study, 39% of Catholics attend church at least once a week, and 40% attend once or twice a month.
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There are 439 active and retired archbishops in the US
The Catholic Church in the United States is divided into 194 archdioceses and dioceses, with 33 archdioceses and 143 dioceses being territorial. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy in the US and the US Virgin Islands. There are 439 active and retired archbishops in the US, with the Pope appointing all archbishops and bishops. The Pope chooses from a list of candidates provided by the papal nuncio of the United States to the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome.
Archdioceses and dioceses become vacant when the Ordinary Bishop resigns, passes away, or is transferred to another See. These Dioceses are overseen by an Administrator who is a priest or bishop, chosen by the College of Consultors of the (Arch)Diocese within 8 days. The Pope may also appoint an Apostolic Administrator, typically the Metropolitan Archbishop, upon the Ordinary Bishop's death, transfer, or acceptance of resignation.
Retired Bishops are required to submit their resignation upon reaching the retirement age of 75. However, the Pope can accept a Bishop's resignation at any point, regardless of age. Auxiliary and retired bishops are members of the USCCB but do not have voting rights. The pastor of an ordinariate, or ordinary, may be a bishop if celibate or a priest if married. Pope Benedict XVI allowed for married, former Anglican bishops to accede to office while maintaining sensitivities in ecumenical relations with the Eastern Orthodox Churches.
The Catholic Church in the US has a diverse range of dioceses, including the Latin Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, which was established for former Anglicans. The Eastern Catholic Churches have their own distinctive liturgical, legal, and organizational systems and are identified by their region of origin. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, is not a metropolitan diocese and provides pastoral care to those serving in the US Armed Forces and their dependents.
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US Catholic Church has 19,000 parishes, 35,000 lay ecclesial ministers
The Catholic Church in the United States is a diverse organisation, encompassing a variety of ethnic and cultural groups. It is comprised of 194 archdioceses and dioceses, with an additional Archdiocese for the Military Services and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. The latter was established in 2012 to serve former Anglicans transitioning to Catholicism. These dioceses are further divided into 14 geographic regions, with the Eastern Catholic Churches constituting their own membership region.
The US Catholic Church also has 19,000 parishes, serving an estimated 68.1 million Catholics tied to a specific parish, according to a 2015 survey. These parishes are supported by 35,000 lay ecclesial ministers, who dedicate 20 or more hours per week to their respective parishes. The average number of registered households in US parishes is 1,168, with an average of 24% of people attending Mass on a typical weekend. Notably, 29% of parishes, or over 5,000, offer Mass in a language other than English, with 81% of these Masses being conducted in Spanish.
The Catholic Church in the US employs a significant number of people, with an estimated 100,000 clergy and ministers in 2018. In addition to those directly involved in religious services, the Church also employs educators, healthcare professionals, lawyers, and other secular careers that support its institutions. The Church's extensive network includes 630 hospitals, 6,525 primary and secondary schools, and 261 institutions of higher education.
The leadership of the US Catholic Church is provided by bishops, who govern individual dioceses and collectively through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). There are currently 439 active and retired bishops in the country, with one Native American bishop, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia, among them.
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The Eastern Catholic Churches are equal to the Latin tradition in the US
The Catholic Church in the United States is divided into 194 archdioceses and dioceses, the Archdiocese for the Military Services, and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. The Eastern Catholic Churches are considered equal to the Latin tradition within the Church in the United States.
Eastern Catholic Churches have their origins in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa, and they retain distinctive liturgical, legal, and organizational systems. They are identified by the national or ethnic character of their region of origin. Each Eastern Catholic Church has its own theological emphases, rites, laws, customs, and traditions, which are respected and considered equal to the Latin tradition within the Catholic Church.
The Second Vatican Council affirmed that all particular churches, including the Eastern Catholic Churches and the Latin Church, share "equal dignity," with no superiority regarding rite, rights, or obligations. This equality is further emphasized by their full communion with the Pope in Rome, ensuring that they are all part of the same Catholic Church family.
The Eastern Catholic Churches in the United States have jurisdiction over large areas, including both the United States and Canada. They are not suffragan to metropolitan sees but are immediately subject to the Holy See, maintaining their unique character. The Eastern Catholic Churches have their own curial offices and chanceries, such as archeparchies and eparchies, which are based in specific cities.
The Eastern Catholic Churches have a rich history and have experienced various schisms and reunions with the Orthodox Churches. They play a vital role in preserving the apostolic traditions of the Catholic Church and its catholicity, offering a unique perspective on the gospel message.
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The first US diocese was the Archdiocese of Baltimore, in 1789
The Catholic Church in the United States has a long and complex history, with the first diocese being established in 1789. This diocese, the Archdiocese of Baltimore, became the foundation for the growth of the Catholic Church in the newly formed nation.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore holds a significant place in the history of Catholicism in the United States. It was established on November 6, 1789, soon after the American Revolution, to serve the Catholic population across the country. At that time, it was the only diocese in the United States, and it played a pivotal role in the development of the Church in the years to come.
As the Catholic population in the United States grew, the need for additional dioceses became evident. In 1808, Pope Pius VII erected four new dioceses, and Baltimore became an archdiocese. This marked a significant step in the expansion of the Church's presence in the country.
The first archbishop of Baltimore was Carroll, who made significant contributions to the growth of the Church. In 1800, he ordained the first American-born Catholic priest, Reverend William Matthews. Carroll also began the construction of the Cathedral of the Assumption in Baltimore in 1806.
Over time, the Archdiocese of Baltimore continued to play a central role in the Catholic Church's development in the United States. It became the premier episcopal see of the Catholic Church in the country and was granted the "prerogative of place" by the Vatican in 1859. This granted the archbishop of Baltimore the right of precedence in liturgies, meetings, and Plenary Councils.
Today, the Catholic Church in the United States consists of a vast network of dioceses and archdioceses, with a total of 194 archdioceses/dioceses, including the Archdiocese for the Military Services and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. The Archdiocese of Baltimore remains a vital part of this structure, with a rich history and a significant presence in the Catholic community.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 194 archdioceses/dioceses in the USA, including the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.
An archdiocese is a diocese that is the main or "metropolitan" diocese of an area.
The Catholic Extension Society is an organisation that works to build and support Catholic faith communities in America's poorest regions. They currently support 87 dioceses in the US and its territories.
The Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter was established on January 1, 2012, to serve former Anglican groups and clergy in the United States who became Catholic.
