Joshua Bennett
North Dakota is currently divided into two Catholic dioceses: the Diocese of Bismarck and the Diocese of Fargo. Both are suffragan sees of the Archdiocese of St. Paul, Minnesota. When North Dakota became a state in 1889, Pope Leo XIII established the region as a single diocese, appointing John Shanley as the first diocesan bishop. However, after Bishop Shanley's death in 1909, the Holy See divided the state into the two dioceses that exist today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholic Dioceses in North Dakota | 2 |
| Names of the Dioceses | Bismarck, Fargo |
| Diocese of Bismarck Bishop | John Kinney |
| Diocese of Fargo Bishop | James O'Reilly |
| North Dakota Catholic Conference Address | 103 South Third Street, Suite 10 Bismarck, North Dakota 58501 |
| North Dakota Catholic Conference Phone Numbers | 1-888-419-1237, 701-223-2519 |
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What You'll Learn
The two dioceses of North Dakota
North Dakota is a state in the Upper Midwest region of the United States, bordered by the Canadian province of Manitoba to the north and by the US states of Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south, and Montana to the west. When North Dakota became a state in 1889, Pope Leo XIII established the region as a single diocese, with John Shanley, a priest of Irish descent, as the first diocesan bishop.
The Catholic population in North Dakota has continued to grow steadily over the years. As of the 2000 census, the Roman Catholic population stood at 176,893, or roughly 27.5 percent of the total population of the state. This growth led to the division of the state into two dioceses: the Diocese of Bismarck and the Diocese of Fargo, both suffragan sees of the Archdiocese of St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Diocese of Bismarck has had several bishops over the years, including John Baptist Vincent de Paul Wehrle, O.S.B., who served from 1909 to 1939 and presided over substantial growth in the diocese. During his tenure, he fought socialism in all its varieties, especially during the tumultuous 1920s and 1930s. In 1939, Pope Pius XII named Monsignor Vincent Ryan of Fargo as the second bishop of Bismarck. Ryan constructed 69 church buildings during his 11-year tenure and founded the diocesan newspaper, Dakota Catholic Action, in 1941. The fourth bishop of Bismarck, appointed in 1956, was Monsignor Hilary Hacker of Saint Paul, who dedicated much of his tenure to implementing the Second Vatican Council reforms and promoting Catholic education.
The Diocese of Fargo has also had several bishops, including James O'Reilly, an Irishman, who was appointed in 1909. The current bishop of Fargo is John Folda, who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference acts on behalf of the Roman Catholic bishops of North Dakota to respond to public policy issues of concern to the Catholic Church and to educate Catholics and the general public about Catholic social doctrine. The Conference represents the Catholic bishops of both dioceses in North Dakota.
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The establishment of the Diocese of Bismarck
North Dakota became a state in 1889, and at the time, roughly 31,000 North Dakotans were Roman Catholic. Pope Leo XIII established the region as a single diocese, naming John Shanley, a priest of Irish descent, as the first diocesan bishop. During his 20-year reign, the Catholic population saw considerable growth and prosperity.
After Bishop Shanley's death in 1909, the Holy See divided North Dakota into two dioceses: the Diocese of Bismarck and the Diocese of Fargo, reflecting the continued population growth in the state. Pope Pius X established the Diocese of Bismarck on 31 December 1909, taking its territory from the Diocese of Fargo. The pope appointed Reverend Vincent de Paul Wehrle, a Benedictine abbot of Assumption Abbey, as the first bishop of the new diocese. During his 29-year tenure, the Catholic population increased from 25,000 to 55,000. He constructed 55 churches, established four hospitals, and founded 18 parochial schools and 115 new congregations. He also began construction on the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit but was forced to abandon the project due to the Great Depression.
After Bishop Wehrle's retirement in 1939, Pope Pius XII named Monsignor Vincent Ryan of Fargo as the second bishop of Bismarck. During his 11-year tenure, Ryan constructed 69 church buildings for a total cost exceeding $10 million. He founded the diocesan newspaper, Dakota Catholic Action, in 1941, and publicly opposed the 1948 "anti-garb" law passed by the North Dakota Legislative Assembly, which prohibited nuns from wearing their religious habits while teaching in public schools. Ryan died in 1951, and in 1952, Monsignor Lambert Hoch of the Diocese of Sioux Falls was appointed the third bishop of Bismarck by Pope Pius XII. During his four-year tenure, Hoch promoted vocations to the priesthood, and between 1952 and 1960, 29 priests were ordained for the diocese.
In 1956, Pope Pius XII named Monsignor Hilary Hacker of Saint Paul as the fourth bishop of Bismarck. Hacker dedicated his tenure to implementing the Second Vatican Council reforms and increasing lay participation. His time as bishop also saw high enrollments in Catholic schools and the founding of Bishop Ryan High School in Minot and Trinity High School in Dickinson. He established an annual appeal called God's Share, which saw annual collections rise from $165,000 to $225,000 between 1956 and 1963. Hacker retired in 1982, and Pope John Paul II appointed Auxiliary Bishop John Kinney of Saint Paul and Minneapolis as his replacement.
As of 2025, the Diocese of Bismarck has three high schools and 11 elementary schools or preschools, and the bishop is David Kagan from the Diocese of Rockford, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011.
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The establishment of the Diocese of Fargo
Shanley's 20-year tenure witnessed significant growth and prosperity among North Dakota's Catholic population, which included a diverse immigrant community. When he passed away in 1909, the Holy See divided North Dakota into two dioceses: the Diocese of Bismarck and the Diocese of Fargo, acknowledging the state's population growth.
The Vatican renamed the Diocese of Jamestown as the Diocese of Fargo on April 6, 1897. At that time, the diocese had about 19,000 Catholics, including many Native Americans, 30 priests, 40 churches, one hospital, three parochial schools, and an academy for girls. Shanley, as the first bishop of the Diocese of Fargo, played an active role in defending Native Americans and advocating for social reforms.
During his episcopacy, Shanley laid the foundation for the diocese's growth. By the time of his death in 1909, the diocese had expanded to include 106 priests, 225 churches, six academies, 34 schools, and four hospitals. The second bishop of Fargo, James O'Reilly, took charge in 1910 and oversaw the establishment of the western part of North Dakota as the Diocese of Bismarck in 1910. Despite challenging economic conditions, O'Reilly's tenure saw the establishment of 34 new parishes and the construction of numerous churches, schools, and hospitals.
The Diocese of Fargo continued to evolve under subsequent bishops, including Aloisius J. Muench, who established the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and founded Catholic Action News, a diocesan newspaper. Muench also played a significant role in supporting needy seminarians and retired priests through various initiatives. The diocese operated the Cardinal Muench Seminary from 1962 to 2011, which trained men for the priesthood.
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The North Dakota Catholic Conference
The Catholic population in North Dakota has grown steadily over the years. As of the 2000 census, the Roman Catholic population stood at 176,893, or roughly 27.5% of the state's total population. The number of Catholics in the state may have been influenced by the number and diversity of immigrants in North Dakota, which distinguished it from other states in the Union in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The NDCC has been involved in various activities and initiatives over the years. For example, in 2002, Bishop Zipfel introduced a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual abuse allegations against priests in the Diocese of Bismarck. Under this policy, any clergy accused of sexual abuse would be immediately removed from active ministry and reported to the police for investigation. Additionally, the NDCC has been active in pro-life and social justice causes. One of its staff members, Dodson, received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross from Pope Francis in 2023 for his distinguished service to the Church and the Pope.
The NDCC is located at 103 South Third Street, Suite 10, Bismarck, North Dakota 58501. It can be contacted at 1-888-419-1237 or 701-223-2519. The NDCC staff includes individuals with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences who are dedicated to serving the Catholic Church in North Dakota and responding to relevant public policy issues.
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The history of Catholicism in the Dakotas
In 1874, Sister Mary Clapin and the Sisters of Charity established a school at Fort Totten, and Father Jerome Hunt translated several religious texts into Lakota. Two years later, Father Martin Marty, a Benedictine from Indiana, established a mission at Fort Yates. In 1889, Pope Leo XIII named Father Marty the first bishop of the entire Dakota Territory.
When North Dakota became a state in 1889, Pope Leo XIII established a single diocese for the region, appointing John Shanley, a priest of Irish descent, as the first diocesan bishop. At the time, there were roughly 31,000 Roman Catholics in North Dakota, and Bishop Shanley's 20-year leadership witnessed significant growth and prosperity within this community. During his tenure, the number of churches increased from 40 in 1890 to 210 in 1908.
Following Bishop Shanley's death in 1909, the Holy See divided North Dakota into two dioceses: the Diocese of Bismarck and the Diocese of Fargo. Vincent Wehrle, a Benedictine, was appointed bishop of Bismarck, while James O'Reilly became bishop of Fargo. Bishop Wehrle's tenure was marked by substantial growth in the diocese, as well as his opposition to socialism.
The Catholic population in North Dakota continued to grow, and as of the 2000 census, it stood at 176,893, or approximately 27.5% of the state's total population. The state has witnessed the establishment of numerous churches, schools, and other Catholic institutions over the years, contributing to the rich history of Catholicism in the Dakotas.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two Catholic dioceses in North Dakota: the Diocese of Bismarck and the Diocese of Fargo.
When North Dakota became a state in 1889, it was established as a single diocese by Pope Leo XIII. In 1909, after the death of Bishop John Shanley, the Holy See divided North Dakota into the two dioceses of Bismarck and Fargo.
The current bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck is Bishop Paul Zipfel, appointed in 1997.
The first bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck was Vincent Wehrle, appointed in 1909.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference is an organisation that represents the Catholic bishops of North Dakota. It acts on behalf of the Roman Catholic bishops of North Dakota to respond to public policy issues concerning the Catholic Church and to educate Catholics and the general public about Catholic social doctrine.
