Sarah Mitchell
As of 21 June 2024, the Catholic Church is comprised of 3,172 ecclesiastical jurisdictions, including 652 archdioceses and 2,249 dioceses. In the United States, there are 194 archdioceses and dioceses, as well as the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. The Catholic Church in the US Virgin Islands has 33 archdioceses and 143 dioceses. The number of dioceses in a region is dependent on the population size, with more populous regions having more dioceses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Catholic dioceses in the world | 2,249 |
| Total archdioceses in the world | 652 |
| Catholic dioceses in the US | 194 |
| Catholic archdioceses in the US | 33 |
| Catholic dioceses in California | 12 |
| Catholic dioceses in Puerto Rico | 6 |
| Catholic dioceses in Texas | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
There are 194 archdioceses/dioceses in the US
The Catholic Church in the United States is divided into 194 archdioceses and dioceses, with an additional archdiocese for the Military Services and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. These dioceses are spread across 50 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy in these areas.
The Archdioceses and Dioceses are divided into 14 geographic regions, with the Eastern Catholic Churches constituting their own membership region. These regions typically include multiple Metropolitan Archdioceses and several Dioceses across one or more states. 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 equal to the Latin tradition within the Church in the United States.
The Eparchies and Archeparchies of the Eastern Catholic Churches 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, provides pastoral care and spiritual services to those serving in the armed forces, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and their dependents. An archbishop leads this archdiocese and is assisted by four auxiliary bishops.
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. It is similar to a diocese but is national in scope, with its base in Houston, Texas. It includes parishes and communities across the United States that are fully Catholic while retaining Anglican heritage and traditions. There are 439 active and retired archbishops in the United States as of 2025.
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US Military and Veterans have their own archdiocese
As of 2023, there are approximately 2,898 Catholic dioceses worldwide, and within this structure, the United States Military and Veteran community have their own designated archdiocese. This unique archdiocese is known as the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), and it serves all members of the US military, veterans, and their families, regardless of location.
The AMS is a distinct entity within the Catholic Church in the United States, and it operates as a non-territorial diocese, meaning it does not cover a specific geographic area like a typical diocese. Instead, its jurisdiction is based on the population it serves – all those who are serving or have served in the US Armed Forces, as well as their spouses, children, and families. This includes those stationed at home and abroad, as well as veterans and their families, regardless of their location or the base they are assigned to.
The AMS provides a vital spiritual and pastoral care role for military personnel and their families, who often face unique challenges and circumstances due to the nature of military service. It ensures that Catholic military members can practice their faith and have access to the sacraments, no matter where they are deployed or stationed. The archdiocese also provides a sense of community and support for military families, who often move frequently and may be far from their extended families and traditional support networks.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio currently leads the AMS, and he oversees a team of chaplains and civilian priests who serve at military installations, VA hospitals, and other locations across the globe. These chaplains provide religious services, sacramental ministry, counseling, and spiritual guidance to those within the military community, offering a sense of continuity and support in often-chaotic environments.
The AMS also plays a critical role in providing for the spiritual needs of those serving in combat zones, offering a sense of comfort and hope in dangerous and challenging circumstances. It further ensures that those who have served and sacrificed for their country can continue to find spiritual solace and community within the Catholic Church, no matter where their military service takes them. This unique archdiocese is an important reminder of the Church's commitment to serving those who serve their country and a testament to the global reach and adaptability of the Catholic faith.
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California has 12 dioceses
California has a rich history of Catholic dioceses. The state currently has 12 dioceses, including the Diocese of Sacramento and the Diocese of Orange. The Diocese of Sacramento encourages its community to eradicate racism and stay focused on Jesus Christ. The Diocese of Orange was established in 1976, with Bishop William Johnson as its founding bishop.
The Catholic Church in California has undergone several transformations since its early days. In the 19th century, the Diocese of California, also known as the Diocese of the Californias or the Diocese of Two Californias, covered a vast territory that included present-day California and several other American states. After the Mexican-American War, this diocese was divided into US and Mexican sections. The American portion became the Diocese of Monterey in California, while the Mexican portion eventually became the Diocese of Tijuana.
Over time, the Catholic Church in California continued to evolve, and new dioceses were established to serve the religious needs of the growing Catholic population in the state. Today, the 12 dioceses in California are part of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which includes 194 archdioceses and dioceses across the country.
The USCCB is divided into 14 geographic membership regions, with the Eastern Catholic Churches constituting their own membership region. These regions typically include multiple Metropolitan Archdioceses and several Dioceses across one or more states. The Catholic Church, as of June 21, 2024, comprises 3,172 ecclesiastical jurisdictions worldwide, including 652 archdioceses and 2,249 dioceses, in addition to various other types of jurisdictions.
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Puerto Rico has 6 dioceses
As of June 20, 2025, Puerto Rico is home to six Catholic dioceses, each serving a specific region of the island. These dioceses are led by bishops who oversee the spiritual and administrative needs of their respective jurisdictions.
The Archdiocese of San Juan serves as the metropolitan see, with its cathedral, the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, located in the heart of Old San Juan. This archdiocese covers the municipalities of San Juan, Guaynabo, and Cataño, offering pastoral care to a diverse urban population.
The Diocese of Arecibo covers the northern and western regions of Puerto Rico, including the municipalities of Arecibo, Mayagüez, and Aguadilla. This diocese plays a vital role in serving the spiritual needs of the people in these areas, with a strong focus on social justice and community engagement.
The Diocese of Caguas oversees the eastern region, encompassing the municipalities of Caguas, Humacao, and Fajardo, among others. This diocese is known for its commitment to education and social services, with a network of Catholic schools and community outreach programs.
The Diocese of Mayagüez, based in the city of Mayagüez, serves the western region of Puerto Rico. This diocese has a strong presence in promoting youth ministry and evangelization, seeking to engage and inspire the next generation of Catholics.
Finally, the Diocese of Ponce covers the southern region, including the municipalities of Ponce, Yauco, and Guayama. This diocese is renowned for its cultural diversity and the strong devotion of its Catholic community. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Ponce serves as the mother church of this diocese.
Each of these six dioceses in Puerto Rico plays a crucial role in nurturing the spiritual lives of Catholics across the island. They provide a network of parishes, schools, and social services that cater to the diverse needs of their respective communities. The bishops of these dioceses work collaboratively to guide and inspire their faithful, ensuring that the Catholic Church in Puerto Rico remains a vibrant and vital presence in the lives of its people.
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There are 3,172 Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdictions worldwide
As of June 21, 2024, the Catholic Church is made up of 3,172 ecclesiastical jurisdictions worldwide. These include over 652 archdioceses and 2,249 dioceses, as well as apostolic vicariates, apostolic exarchates, apostolic administrations, apostolic prefectures, military ordinariates, personal ordinariates, personal prelatures, territorial prelatures, territorial abbacies, and missions sui juris.
A diocese is the territory or churches subject to the jurisdiction of a bishop. The term "diocese" initially signified the management of a household, then administration or government in general. It was later used in Roman law to refer to a territory dependent on a city for administration. As the Christian bishop typically resided in a city, the territory he administered took on the term diocese.
The creation of a diocese is generally preceded by the territory being a mission, then a prefecture apostolic, and finally, a vicariate apostolic. A diocese can be divided if it is too large, if the number of followers is too great, or if communication is too difficult for the bishop to administer it effectively.
The Catholic Church in the United States has 194 archdioceses and dioceses, as well as the Archdiocese for the Military Services, and the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. The Archdioceses and Dioceses are divided into 14 geographic regions, with the Eastern Catholic Churches constituting their own membership region.
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Frequently asked questions
As of June 21, 2024, there are 2,249 dioceses in the Catholic Church.
There are 194 archdioceses/dioceses in the United States.
There are 12 Catholic dioceses in California.
There are 6 Catholic dioceses in Puerto Rico.
Texas has at least 4 Catholic dioceses, with Galveston-Houston, Austin, Dallas, and Ft. Worth making it into the top 10 dioceses for population growth.
