Grace Thompson
Utah is widely associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with the state having a reputation for being religious. However, there are flourishing religious communities in the state, including Catholics. As of 2020, the Diocese of Salt Lake City served 324,988 Catholics, which is 10% of the total population. This includes 200,000 Hispanic Catholics, who make up 70% of the Catholic population in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of Catholics in Utah | 324,988 (as of 2020) |
| Percentage of Catholics in Utah | 10.0% (as of 2020) |
| Number of Hispanic Catholics in Utah | 200,000 |
| Percentage of Hispanic Catholics in Utah | 1% (as per 2021 data) |
| Percentage of White Catholics in Utah | 2% (as per 2021 data) |
| Percentage of Catholics who attend church services at least once a week | 52% (as per 2021 data) |
| Percentage of Catholics who seldom or never attend church services | 28% (as per 2014 data) |
| Percentage of Utah population that is Christian | 73% |
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What You'll Learn
Utah's Catholic minority
Utah is widely associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with a majority of the state's population adhering to this faith. In this context, Catholics constitute a small minority, with an estimated 5% of Utahns identifying as Catholic, according to a 2014 study by Pew Research. The Catholic population is predominantly Hispanic, with an estimated 70% of Catholics in the Diocese of Salt Lake City belonging to this ethnic group. This represents a significant increase over the past three decades, reflecting the efforts of leaders like Maria-Cruz Gray, who has dedicated herself to empowering a new generation of Catholic leaders in Utah.
The state's Catholic community is concentrated in the Salt Lake City area, where the Cathedral of the Madeleine serves as a cultural and spiritual hub. This cathedral, with its distinct Catholic murals, has played a significant role in fostering ecumenical relationships, particularly with the LDS Church, through a shared interest in the arts. The Salt Lake City diocese, encompassing the entire state of Utah, serves approximately 324,988 Catholics, who are spread across 48 parishes with 61 priests.
Life as a Catholic in Utah offers a unique perspective. While some individuals may experience resistance from their peers, particularly at a younger age, due to the perception of Catholicism as "overly religious", the state also presents opportunities for evangelization and interfaith dialogue. The cultural landscape of Utah, with its diverse religious communities, including Latter-Day Saints, Buddhists, Muslims, and Protestants, shapes the experience of Catholics in the state.
While Catholics in Utah may find themselves in the minority, their presence is significant and impactful. Through dedicated leaders, a vibrant diocese, and a resilient community, Utah's Catholics navigate their religious identity in a predominantly Latter-Day Saint state, fostering interfaith relations and contributing to the state's diverse cultural fabric.
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The Diocese of Salt Lake City
The history of the diocese goes back to 1887 when Pope Leo XIII erected the Apostolic Vicariate of Utah and Eastern Nevada, taking its territory from the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The pope appointed Scanlan as the apostolic vicar. In 1889, the Marist Fathers assumed control of All Hallows College, which Scanlan had opened in 1886, operating it until its closure in 1918. On January 27, 1891, Pope Leo XIII suppressed the vicariate and replaced it with the new Diocese of Salt Lake, keeping Scanlan as bishop. That same year, Scanlan broke ground for the new cathedral and opened St. Francis of Assisi church in Provo, the first Catholic church in Utah County.
The second bishop of Salt Lake was Reverend Joseph Glass of the Diocese of Monterey-Los Angeles, named by Pope Benedict XV in 1915. Glass renamed the Cathedral of Mary Magdalene as the Cathedral of the Madeleine and added Catholic murals to the building's exterior. Glass died in 1926, leaving the diocese with substantial debt. In 1926, Reverend John Mitty from the Archdiocese of New York was appointed the third bishop of Salt Lake City by Pope Pius XI. Mitty focused on improving the weekly offertory collection to reduce the diocesan debt.
In 1937, Pope Pius XII named Monsignor Duane Hunt of Salt Lake as bishop. During his tenure, Hunt established fifteen parishes throughout the state and invited religious institutes such as the Carmelites and the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word to serve in Utah. In 1951, the Vatican renamed the Diocese of Salt Lake as the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Federal succeeded Hunt as bishop in 1960.
In 1980, Pope John Paul II appointed Monsignor William Weigand of the Diocese of Boise as the next bishop of Salt Lake City. Weigand led a $9.7 million restoration of the Cathedral of the Madeleine from 1991 to 1993. In 1994, John Paul II named Monsignor George Niederauer of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as Weigand's successor. Niederauer became archbishop of San Francisco in 2005 and was replaced by Auxiliary Bishop John Wester of San Francisco in 2007. On January 10, 2017, Pope Francis appointed Oscar Azarcon Solis as the tenth bishop of Salt Lake City.
As of 2020, the Diocese of Salt Lake City served 324,988 Catholics (10.0% of 3,249,879 total) in 48 parishes with 61 priests, 83 deacons, and 25 lay religious. The diocese encompasses the entire state of Utah, where Catholics are a small minority compared to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. An estimated 70 percent of the Catholic population in the diocese is Hispanic.
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Hispanic Catholics in Utah
Utah is predominantly associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with Catholics constituting a small minority in the state. However, the Catholic population in Utah has been growing, with an estimated 70% of the Catholic population in the Diocese of Salt Lake City being Hispanic, marking a 250% increase over the past 30 years. This significant growth can be largely attributed to the efforts of Maria-Cruz Gray, who served as the director of Hispanic ministry in the Catholic Church in Utah for 24 years.
Gray's success in her ministry can be attributed to her ability to empower a new generation of leaders for the Church, particularly in far-flung communities where Catholics are a minority and people often work laborious jobs in agriculture or mining. She has been instrumental in the formation of 116 Hispanic lay ecclesiastical ministers through the diocese's EMAUS program, ensuring that the Church remains strong even in the absence of resident priests in many Catholic missions.
The key to Gray's impact lies not only in the quantity of leaders she has identified and nurtured but also in the quality of her own leadership. Her example of compassionate and energetic service has inspired a vibrant faith community. This is evident not just in the words of those she has touched but also within her own family. Her son, Father Christopher Gray, is the pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Park City, Utah, and he attributes his mother's impact to her willingness to listen, show warmth, and help those in need.
The growth of the Hispanic Catholic population in Utah is a testament to the tireless work of Maria-Cruz Gray, who has left no community untouched, ensuring that the Church's presence and care reach hundreds of thousands of Hispanic Catholics in the state. This increase in the Hispanic Catholic community has contributed to the overall growth and flourishing of the Catholic Community in Utah as it continues to establish its important presence in the state.
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The state's religious landscape
Utah is widely associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with the majority of the state's population being members. However, there are also flourishing religious communities in the state, including Catholics.
The state has a reputation for being religious, with a high rate of religiosity compared to the national average. According to the 2021 PPRI American Values Atlas, 56% of Utah's population are Latter-day Saints, while 23% are unaffiliated, 3% are white mainline Protestant, and 2% are white Catholics. Hispanic Catholics make up 1% of the population. A 2014 study by Pew Research found slightly different results, with 55% of Utahns being Latter-day Saints, 22% unaffiliated, 7% evangelical Protestant, 6% mainline Protestant, 5% Catholic, 3% atheist, 1% Muslim, 1% Jewish, and less than 1% Orthodox Christians and Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Catholic population in Utah has seen a significant increase in diversity over the years, with an estimated 70% of Catholics in the Diocese of Salt Lake City being Hispanic as of 2023. This marks a 250% increase over the past 30 years, largely attributed to the efforts of Maria-Cruz Gray, who served as the director of Hispanic ministry in the Catholic Church in Utah for 24 years. During her tenure, Gray travelled across the state, empowering a new generation of leaders for the Church, particularly in communities where Catholics are a minority.
Utah's religious landscape is also shaped by the state's culture, including the exclusivity of many Mormon communities. The state has a high rate of church attendance, with 52% to 54% of Utahns attending services at least once a week. The earliest Catholic presence in Utah was recorded in 1776, with the expedition of Francisco Atanazio Dominguez and Silvestre de Escalante from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to California. In 1887, Pope Leo XIII established the Apostolic Vicariate of Utah and Eastern Nevada, appointing Scanlan as the apostolic vicar. In 1891, the vicariate was replaced with the Diocese of Salt Lake, with Scanlan as the first bishop. He opened the first Catholic church in Utah County, St. Francis of Assisi in Provo, and established the official newspaper, The Intermountain Catholic. The Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene, later renamed the Cathedral of the Madeleine, opened in 1909.
Overall, Utah's religious landscape is diverse, with a majority of the population affiliated with Christianity and a significant presence of Latter-day Saints, as well as a growing Catholic community, particularly among Hispanics.
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Life as a Catholic in Utah
Utah is widely associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with the majority of the state's population adhering to this faith. However, there is also a significant Catholic minority in the state, and life for Utah's Catholics has its unique aspects.
The Catholic population in Utah is quite diverse, with an estimated 70% of Catholics in the Diocese of Salt Lake City being Hispanic. This demographic shift has been influenced by refugee and immigrant settlement, particularly in the Salt Lake City area, making the Catholic community in Utah quite multicultural. The state also has a rich history of Catholic education, with Catholic schools offering a well-rounded education that includes the Gospel message, community building, and service to others.
Utah Catholics have also experienced some challenges. The state's religious landscape is heavily influenced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and there can be a perception of exclusivity in some Mormon communities. Additionally, one Catholic in Utah noted that there are fewer young Catholics in the state, as many Utah natives leave for college, and fewer Catholics are drawn to the state for their studies. This individual also observed that students in Catholic schools were sometimes resistant to what they perceived as overly religious teachings, perhaps due to associating piety with Mormonism.
However, Catholics in Utah also find opportunities for evangelization and community building. For example, the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, with its focus on the arts and good liturgy, has drawn people from different faiths and provided a space for relationship-building across religious lines. Additionally, individuals like Maria-Cruz Gray, a finalist for the Catholic Extension Society's Lumen Christi Award, have made significant contributions to the Catholic community in Utah. Gray has empowered a new generation of leaders, particularly in far-flung and minority communities, ensuring that the Church remains strong and visible across the state.
Overall, life as a Catholic in Utah is shaped by the state's religious landscape, but it also offers opportunities for community, evangelization, and a diverse cultural experience within the Catholic Church.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2020, there were 324,988 Catholics in Utah, making up 10% of the state's population.
Hispanic Catholics make up 1% of Utah's population, while white Catholics make up 2%.
The predominant faith in Utah is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which makes up 56% of the state's population.
73% of Utah's population is affiliated with Christianity.
