Joshua Bennett
West Virginia is served by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, which covers the entire state. The diocese was established in 1850 as the Diocese of Wheeling and was renamed in 1974 when diocesan borders were realigned to match state borders. The Catholic population of West Virginia peaked in the mid-20th century but has since declined.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Dioceses in West Virginia | 1 |
| Name of Diocese | Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston |
| Number of Parishes | 92 |
| Number of Elementary and High Schools | 24 |
| Number of Counties in Virginia that were initially part of the Diocese | 17 and a half |
| Number of Counties in the Eastern Panhandle that were incorporated into the Diocese | 8 |
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What You'll Learn
The Diocese of Wheeling was established in 1850
The Diocese of Wheeling, also known as the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, was established in 1850. It is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church that comprises West Virginia in the United States. The diocese was formed in response to the growing number of Catholics settling in western Virginia and the region's promising future. Before the Diocese of Wheeling was established, Catholics in western Virginia were under the spiritual care of the Diocese of Richmond, which encompassed the entire state of Virginia.
The bishop of Richmond, Richard V. Whelan, petitioned the Holy See for the creation of a new diocese. On July 19, 1850, Pope Pius IX established the Diocese of Wheeling, naming Whelan its first ordinary. At the time, there were only four churches within its borders: St. James in Wheeling, St. Patrick in Weston, St. Mary in Wytheville, and St. John in Summersville. There was also one chapel, the German Settlement in Preston County, and a Catholic population of about five thousand. The Allegheny Mountains were used to set the initial boundaries of the new diocese.
The first significant Catholic presence in Western Virginia came in the years immediately following the American Revolution, when Virginia repealed its anti-Catholic laws. In 1820, Pope Pius VII erected the Diocese of Richmond, taking all of Virginia (except for two eastern counties) and present-day West Virginia from the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The first Catholic parish in Wheeling, St. Joseph, was established in 1822. In the 1840s, Bishop Whelan became concerned that his diocese was too vast to administer effectively. He requested that the Vatican divide the diocese into two, using the Allegheny Mountains as a natural boundary.
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston owns a multi-million-dollar investment portfolio that it received as a donation from Sara Tracy in the early 20th century. The diocese is the second-largest provider of social services in West Virginia, operating programs ranging from emergency relief to parenting classes. The Catholic school system in the diocese, which includes Wheeling University, 24 elementary and high schools, and preschool and daycare programs, is the largest privately-run school system in the state. The diocese also operates healthcare facilities, such as Wheeling Hospital and the Pineville Children's Center, that have served the state's citizens for over 150 years.
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Diocesan borders were realigned in 1974
The Catholic Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church, comprising West Virginia in the United States. The diocese was originally established in 1850 as the Diocese of Wheeling by Pope Pius IX, who named Whelan its first bishop. The Allegheny Mountains were used to set the initial boundaries of the new diocese, including almost all of present-day West Virginia, as well as 17 counties (and part of another) in present-day southwest Virginia.
The creation of the new state of West Virginia in 1863 during the American Civil War meant that diocesan and state boundaries were distinct from one another for over 100 years. This geographic disparity resulted in some West Virginia parishes belonging to the Diocese of Richmond, while some Virginia parishes were part of the Diocese of Wheeling.
In 1974, a decree issued by Pope Paul VI realigned the diocesan borders to match those of the state. The 17 counties in Virginia that had been part of the Diocese of Wheeling were transferred to the Diocese of Richmond, and the eight counties of the Eastern Panhandle that had been under the Diocese of Richmond were incorporated into the Diocese of Wheeling. This decree also redesignated the name of the diocese to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is currently led by Bishop Mark E. Brennan and is made up of 92 parishes, serving as the second-largest provider of social services in the state. It operates a range of programs, including emergency relief and parenting classes, as well as the largest privately run school system in West Virginia, with 24 elementary and high schools. The diocese also has a rich history of charitable contributions, including the establishment of hospitals and orphanages to support vulnerable members of society.
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The Diocese is the second-largest provider of social services in the state
West Virginia's Catholic population has made significant contributions to their communities, including the establishment of hospitals and orphanages to care for the most vulnerable. The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, made up of 92 parishes, is the second-largest provider of social services in the state. It operates a range of programs, from emergency relief to parenting classes.
The Catholic school system in West Virginia, which includes Wheeling University, 24 elementary and high schools, and preschool and daycare programs, is the largest privately-run school system in the state. It also operates the Promise House Family Resource Center for low-income families in the Martinsburg area. The Catholic health care system has served West Virginia's citizens for around 150 years, from Wheeling Hospital in the Northern Panhandle to the Pineville Children's Center in the southern coalfields.
The history of Catholicism in West Virginia began with the arrival of new settlers and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad project in the mid-1800s, bringing Catholic labourers and their families to the region. In 1850, Pope Pius IX established the Diocese of Wheeling to serve the growing Catholic population, which was previously under the Diocese of Richmond. The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, as it is now known, has continued to grow and serve the community, providing vital social services to those in need.
The Catholic Church in West Virginia has had a significant impact on the state's history and development. Through their charitable works and social services, they have cared for the vulnerable and made a positive difference in the lives of tens of thousands of people. The Diocese's dedication to serving others and promoting the development of the Catholic health care system and social outreach programs has left a lasting legacy in West Virginia.
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Catholic immigration to West Virginia in the 19th century
West Virginia's Catholic population has its roots in the years following the American Revolution, when Virginia repealed its anti-Catholic laws. Small Catholic communities formed in the Eastern Panhandle and in Wheeling, with the first parish being established around 1818. The arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the mid-1840s brought an influx of Catholic Irish immigrants who worked on the project and settled in the region.
The establishment of the Diocese of Wheeling in 1850 by Pope Pius IX was a response to the growing number of Catholics in Western Virginia. At this time, immigration was dominated by the Irish and Germans, who were attracted by the region's affordable land and work opportunities. They were employed as laborers on significant infrastructure projects, such as the National Road and the B&O Railroad, and in skilled trades.
The second half of the 19th century saw a significant growth in the Catholic population, coinciding with West Virginia's industrialization. Immigrant Catholics, particularly from Southern, Central, and Eastern European countries, came to work in the mines and factories. This period witnessed the diocese's largest influx of immigrants, who were mostly employed as unskilled laborers in emerging industries such as coal, steel, oil, natural gas, and timber.
The focus of the Catholic community shifted from meeting the immediate needs of arriving immigrants to establishing institutions to serve them. This "brick-and-mortar Catholicism" era saw the construction of churches and schools, and the development of Catholic healthcare and social outreach programs. The Catholic population in West Virginia continued to grow into the mid-20th century, but it has since declined. Today, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, comprising 92 parishes, is a significant provider of social services and operates the state's largest privately run school system.
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The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has been sued over sexual abuse allegations
West Virginia is home to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, which is made up of 92 parishes and is the second-largest provider of social services in the state. The diocese was established in 1850 as the Diocese of Wheeling, with the arrival of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad project bringing an influx of Catholic families to the region. In 1974, the diocese's borders were realigned to match those of the state, and its name was changed to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
In recent years, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston has faced scrutiny over its handling of sexual abuse allegations. In November 2018, the diocese released a list of 31 clergy members accused of sexual abuse, including 18 priests accused while serving in the diocese and 13 who were accused elsewhere but had served in the diocese. The list included incidents dating back to 1950 and revealed the diocese's failure to protect young people within the Church. One priest on the list, Rev. Victor Frobas, had 17 incidents of abuse involving multiple claims of abuse of minors. Frobas was suspended by the diocese in 1987 and later indicted and convicted, serving 18 months in prison.
In response to the release of the list, the diocese apologized to the victims and their families and vowed to take action to ensure the safety of children. The diocese also implemented a Safe Environment Program with mandatory screening, background checks, and training for all employees and volunteers working with children. Despite these efforts, the diocese was sued in 2019 by the Attorney General of West Virginia, Patrick Morrisey. The lawsuit alleged that the diocese knowingly employed admitted sexual abusers, hired priests accused of child sexual abuse, and failed to perform adequate background checks.
The lawsuit against the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston and the subsequent investigations have brought attention to the issue of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in West Virginia. The diocese has committed to transparency and accountability, releasing additional lists of credibly accused clergy and providing a hotline for reporting abuse. The diocese's efforts to address the issue and protect vulnerable individuals are ongoing.
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Frequently asked questions
There is one Catholic diocese in West Virginia, the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
Pope Pius IX established the Diocese of Wheeling in 1850. In 1974, Pope Paul VI issued a decree to realign the diocesan borders to match those of the state and renamed it the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is made up of 92 parishes and is the second-largest provider of social services in the state. It also has the largest privately-run school system in West Virginia, which includes Wheeling University, 24 elementary and high schools, and preschool and daycare programs.
The current bishop is Mark E. Brennan, who was appointed by Pope Francis in 2019.
