Michael Brooks
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, established in 1882, is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in western Michigan. It includes the city of Grand Rapids and 11 counties: Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa. As of 2024, there were 1,497,859 Catholics in Michigan's seven dioceses, representing 14.95% of the state's population. The Diocese of Grand Rapids serves 175,114 Catholics and has 79 parishes and 31 schools.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholics in Grand Rapids | 175,114 |
| Year the Diocese of Grand Rapids was established | 1882 |
| Number of counties in the Diocese of Grand Rapids | 11 |
| Names of the counties | Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa |
| Number of parishes in the Diocese of Grand Rapids | 79-80 |
| Number of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids | 31 |
| Total number of Catholics in Michigan | 1,497,859 |
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What You'll Learn
The Diocese of Grand Rapids
As of 2024, there were 1,497,859 Catholics in the seven dioceses of Michigan, including Grand Rapids, representing 14.95% of the state's total population. The Diocese of Grand Rapids alone serves 175,114 Catholics across 79 to 80 parishes and 31 schools.
The current bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids is the Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, J.C.D., who was appointed by Pope Francis on April 18, 2013, and ordained on June 18, 2013. He is the twelfth bishop of the diocese, succeeding Bishop Robert Rose of Gaylord, who retired in 2002.
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Cathedral of Saint Andrew
The Cathedral of Saint Andrew, located at 215 Sheldon SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. The diocese was established on May 19, 1882, and comprises 11 counties of Western Michigan: Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa. It serves approximately 175,114 Catholics and has 79 parishes and 31 schools.
The Cathedral of Saint Andrew is open to the public daily and offers Mass in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The Mass schedule includes weekday Masses at 7 a.m. in the chapel and 12:05 p.m. in the church, as well as multiple Masses on Saturdays and Sundays. The cathedral also offers confession following all daily Masses and on Saturdays.
The 12th bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, J.C.D., was appointed by Pope Francis on April 18, 2013, and ordained on June 18, 2013, during a Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. The cathedral is currently pastored by Father Dat Tran, CSP, who extends a warm welcome to all, whether they are first-time visitors or seeking a spiritual home.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids is committed to creating a safe environment for all its members. It has implemented programs to prevent sexual abuse within its community and to support and heal past victims. The diocese also fosters Catholic identity, engages in pastoral leadership, celebrates diversity, and promotes evangelization and ecumenism through its various ministries.
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Catholic population growth
The Catholic population in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has grown significantly over the years. The Diocese of Grand Rapids, established in 1882, initially served a relatively small Catholic population in the region. However, by the early 20th century, the number of Catholics in the diocese had already increased substantially.
In 1915, when Reverend Michael Gallagher was named coadjutor bishop of the diocese, there were approximately 50,000 Catholics in the area. By the time of his death just a year later, in 1916, the Catholic population had surged to over 150,000, indicating a remarkable growth rate. This increase can be attributed, in part, to the establishment of mission stations in several locations across Michigan, including Beaver Island, Grand Traverse, Cheboygan, and Muskegon, among others.
The Diocese of Grand Rapids has continued to expand and, as of 2024, it comprises 11 counties in Western Michigan: Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa. The diocese currently serves approximately 175,114 Catholics across 79 parishes and 31 schools. This number accounts for just under 15% of the total population in the state of Michigan, which stands at around 1,497,859 Catholics, according to the 2024 Official Catholic Directory.
The growth of the Catholic population in Grand Rapids has been accompanied by developments in the diocese's infrastructure and leadership. The Cathedral of Saint Andrew, the mother church of the diocese, has undergone renovations, and the diocese has established a total of 80 parishes. The current bishop, David J. Walkowiak, appointed by Pope Francis in 2013, is the 12th bishop to serve the Diocese of Grand Rapids, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, who oversaw the diocese's expansion and development through the years.
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Sexual abuse scandals
The Diocese of Grand Rapids, established on May 19, 1882, comprises 11 counties in Western Michigan: Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa. The diocese serves 175,114 Catholics, has 79 parishes, and 31 schools.
The Catholic Church in Grand Rapids has been implicated in sexual abuse scandals. The Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, J.C.D., held a special service of reparation at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in response to the Catholic Church abuse scandal.
In addition, Grace Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was named in a lawsuit detailing the sexual abuse of a minor. Marian Ippel alleged that she endured physical and emotional abuse while at the church and on a mission trip. Court documents detail that when Ippel was three years old in 2006, she was taken to the church basement by a deacon, Roger Wagenmaker, who sexually abused her. Ippel also alleged that she was sexually abused by an unnamed 12-year-old boy while on a mission trip to Guinea a year later.
Ippel's lawyers claimed that Grace CRC and the non-profit "The Christian Reformed Church in North America" did not do enough to prevent or respond to the instances of sexual abuse. In response, Grace CRC stated that they have stringent policies and procedures in place to ensure the safety of youth and that they actively adhere to a strict code of conduct.
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Bishop appointments
The Bishop of Grand Rapids is the Most Reverend David John Walkowiak, J.C.D., the 12th bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. He was appointed bishop by Pope Francis on April 18, 2013, and ordained on June 18, 2013.
Bishop Walkowiak was born in East Cleveland, Ohio, in 1953. He attended Saint Ignatius High School and later received a Master of Divinity from Saint Mary in 1979. He was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland in 1979. After returning to Cleveland in 1988, he was appointed vice-chancellor and professor of canon law at Saint Mary Seminary by Bishop Anthony Michael Pilla. He also served as pastor of Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, from 2006.
Before Bishop Walkowiak, the 11th bishop of Grand Rapids was Bishop Walter A. Hurley, who retired in 2012. Hurley was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005. Prior to Hurley, the bishop was Auxiliary Bishop Kevin Britt of Detroit, who succeeded Bishop Robert Rose of Gaylord in 2003. Rose was appointed by John Paul II in 1989.
Grand Rapids' eighth bishop was Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Breitenbeck of Detroit, appointed by Pope Paul VI in 1969. Breitenbeck oversaw the establishment of seven new parishes and the renovation of the Cathedral of St. Adalbert Church, which was raised to the rank of minor basilica in 1979. He also created policies and procedures for handling allegations of clerical sexual abuse.
Before Breitenbeck, the bishop was Auxiliary Bishop Allen James Babcock of Detroit, appointed by Pope Pius XII in 1954.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 175,114 Catholics served by the Diocese of Grand Rapids, which was established in 1882 and comprises 11 counties in Western Michigan.
The diocese has 80 parishes, 79 according to another source, and 31 schools.
The Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Grand Rapids is the cathedral church of the diocese.
With 1,497,859 Catholics in the state of Michigan as of 2024, Catholics represent 14.95% of the total population.
The current bishop of Grand Rapids is Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, appointed by Pope Francis in 2013.
