Grace Thompson
The Diocese of Fargo (Latin: Dioecesis Fargensis) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory of the Catholic Church in eastern North Dakota, US. When the diocese was established in 1889, it covered all of North Dakota, with about 19,000 Catholics, many of them Native Americans. As of 2023, the current bishop of Fargo is John Folda, and the diocese has one high school and 13 primary and middle schools.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of establishment | 12 November 1889 as the Diocese of Jamestown; the see city was changed to Fargo on 6 April 1897 |
| Area covered | Eastern North Dakota, an area of 35,786 square miles |
| Number of Catholics at the time of establishment | 19,000 |
| Number of priests at the time of establishment | 30 |
| Number of churches at the time of establishment | 40 |
| Number of hospitals at the time of establishment | 1 |
| Number of schools at the time of establishment | 3 |
| Number of academies at the time of establishment | 1 |
| Current number of schools | 14 |
| Current number of priests | 120 |
| Current number of parishes | 160 |
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What You'll Learn
The Diocese of Fargo was established in 1889 as the Diocese of Jamestown
The Diocese of Fargo was established on November 12, 1889, as the Diocese of Jamestown. It was renamed the Diocese of Fargo on April 6, 1897, and at that time, it contained 60 churches, 33 priests, 14 schools, and one hospital. The diocese was originally led by Bishop John Shanley, who was consecrated on December 27, 1889. Shanley purchased property for a new cathedral and began construction, but a fire in 1893 destroyed most of downtown Fargo, including the cathedral's basement. Shanley donated the cathedral funds to reconstructing the city, delaying the cathedral's completion until 1899.
When the Diocese of Fargo was established, it covered all of North Dakota, with about 19,000 Catholics, a significant number of whom were Native Americans. Bishop Shanley was known for his advocacy on behalf of Native Americans, social reforms, and the temperance movement. He also founded and edited the "Bulletin of the Diocese of Fargo" and contributed an article of historical significance to the Collections of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
The Diocese of Fargo has gone through several changes and expansions over the years. In 1910, the western part of North Dakota was detached and established as the Diocese of Bismarck. Despite this change, the second bishop of Fargo, James O'Reilly (1910-1934), established 34 new parishes and oversaw the construction of 56 churches, 54 rectories, 24 schools, and seven hospitals.
The current bishop of Fargo, as of 2023, is John Folda, who was ordained on June 19, 2013. The diocese operates one high school and 13 primary and middle schools, as well as various parishes and churches, including St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Rose Catholic Church, and St. Lawrence O'Toole's Catholic Church.
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It was renamed the Diocese of Fargo in 1897
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fargo, originally known as the Diocese of Jamestown, was renamed the Diocese of Fargo in 1897. It is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in eastern North Dakota in the United States. The diocese was established on November 12, 1889, by Pope Leo XIII, taking the new state of North Dakota from the Vicariate Apostolic of Dakota. The pope named Reverend John Shanley of Saint Paul as the first bishop of Jamestown.
When the diocese was established, it covered all of North Dakota, with about 19,000 Catholics, many of them Native Americans; 30 priests; 40 churches; one hospital; three parochial schools; and an academy for girls. Shanley purchased property for a new cathedral and began construction, but a fire in 1893 destroyed most of downtown Fargo, including the cathedral's basement. Shanley donated most of the cathedral funds to reconstruct the city, delaying the cathedral's completion until 1899.
In 1897, the Vatican renamed the diocese to the Diocese of Fargo, reflecting the new see city of Fargo. At this time, the diocese contained 60 churches, 33 priests, 14 schools, and one hospital. The Dakotas area went through several Catholic jurisdictions before the creation of the Diocese of Fargo. The Diocese of Jamestown was one such jurisdiction, erected in 1889 when North Dakota became a state.
Since its renaming in 1897, the Diocese of Fargo has continued to grow and evolve. By the time of Bishop Shanley's death in 1909, the diocese had expanded significantly, with 106 priests, 225 churches, six academies, 34 schools, and four hospitals. In December 1909, Pope Pius X named Reverend James O'Reilly of Saint Paul as the second bishop of Fargo. During his tenure, the western part of North Dakota was established as the Diocese of Bismarck in 1910, reducing the size of the Diocese of Fargo. Despite this, O'Reilly established 34 new parishes and oversaw the construction of numerous churches, schools, and hospitals.
The Diocese of Fargo has continued to have a significant Catholic presence in eastern North Dakota. As of 2023, the diocese has one high school and 13 primary and middle schools, serving a Catholic population within its boundaries of about 25% of the total population. The current bishop of Fargo, as of 2023, is John Folda, who was ordained on June 19, 2013.
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It had 19,000 Catholics when it was established
The Diocese of Fargo is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in eastern North Dakota in the United States. It was established on November 12, 1889, as the Diocese of Jamestown, but the see city was changed to Fargo on April 6, 1897. At the time of its establishment, it covered all of North Dakota, with about 19,000 Catholics, many of them Native Americans.
The first bishop, John Shanley, was consecrated on December 27, 1889, and governed the new diocese under extreme missionary conditions. He is remembered for his efforts on behalf of Native Americans, social reforms, and the movement for temperance. Shanley purchased property for a new cathedral and began construction, but a fire in 1893 destroyed most of downtown Fargo, including the partially completed cathedral. Shanley donated the remaining funds to reconstructing the city, delaying the cathedral's completion until 1899.
By the time of his death in July 1909, the diocese had grown significantly. It now had 106 priests, 225 churches, six academies, 34 schools, and four hospitals. In December 1909, Pope Pius X named Reverend James O'Reilly of Saint Paul as the second bishop of Fargo. During his tenure, the western part of North Dakota was detached and established as the Diocese of Bismarck in 1910. Despite these challenges, O'Reilly established 34 new parishes and oversaw the construction of numerous churches, schools, and hospitals.
The Diocese of Fargo has continued to evolve and contribute to the Catholic Church in the region. As of 2023, it operates one high school and 13 primary and middle schools, down from the 34 schools it had over a century ago. The current bishop of Fargo is John Folda, who was ordained in 2013. The diocese has faced recent challenges, including allegations of sexual abuse by clergy, which have led to removals from ministry and changes in school names.
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The current bishop of Fargo is John Folda
The current bishop of Fargo is John Thomas Folda, who was born on August 8, 1961, in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended St. Thomas More Elementary School and Archbishop Ryan High School in Omaha. After graduating from high school in 1979, he went on to study architecture and electrical engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, graduating in 1983. Bishop Folda then entered seminary formation for the Diocese of Lincoln and attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1985. He continued his theological studies at St. Charles Seminary, obtaining a Master of Divinity degree in 1988 and a Master of Arts in theology in 1989.
John Folda was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Lincoln on May 27, 1989, by Bishop Glennon Patrick Flavin. He served as a parochial vicar at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ and taught religion at Pius X High School in Lincoln. From 1991 to 1993, Bishop Folda furthered his studies in Rome, obtaining a licentiate in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas. Upon his return to the Diocese of Lincoln in 1993, he served in various pastoral and educational roles, including as pastor of several churches and as a teacher of religion at Lourdes Central Catholic Schools.
In 1999, Bishop Folda was appointed rector of St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Nebraska. He also served as president of the National Association of College Seminaries from 2008 to 2010. On April 8, 2013, Pope Francis appointed John Folda as the Bishop of Fargo, and he was ordained and installed on June 19, 2013, at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Fargo, North Dakota. Archbishop John Nienstedt served as the principal consecrator, with Archbishop Samuel Aquila and Bishop James D. Conley as co-consecrators.
As the bishop of Fargo, John Folda oversees a diocese that, as of 2023, includes one high school and 13 primary and middle schools. The diocese has a rich history, with the Dakotas area going through several Catholic jurisdictions before the establishment of the Diocese of Fargo. The diocese has also faced challenges, including addressing allegations of sexual abuse by clergy members.
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The diocese covers 35,786 square miles
The Catholic Diocese of Fargo is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in eastern North Dakota in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The diocese covers 35,786 square miles.
When the diocese was first established on November 12, 1889, it was known as the Diocese of Jamestown and encompassed all of North Dakota, with about 19,000 Catholics, a significant number of whom were Native Americans. There were also 30 priests, 40 churches, one hospital, three parochial schools, and an academy for girls. The diocese was renamed the Diocese of Fargo on April 6, 1897, and at that time, it contained 60 churches, 33 priests, 14 schools, and one hospital.
Over the years, the diocese has grown and changed. By the time the first bishop of Fargo, John Shanley, died in July 1909, the diocese had expanded to include 106 priests, 225 churches, six academies, 34 schools, and four hospitals. In 1910, the western part of North Dakota was established as the Diocese of Bismarck, reducing the size of the Diocese of Fargo. Despite this change, the second bishop of Fargo, James O'Reilly, established 34 new parishes and oversaw the construction of 56 churches, 54 rectories, 24 schools, and seven hospitals during his tenure.
As of 2023, the Diocese of Fargo has one high school and 13 primary and middle schools. The current bishop of Fargo, John Folda, was ordained in 2013. While the number of Catholics in the diocese is not currently known, it was reported in 2001 that 25% of the total population within the diocesan boundaries were Catholics, which amounted to about 160 parishes administered by 120 priests.
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Frequently asked questions
When the Diocese of Fargo was established on November 12, 1889, there were about 19,000 Catholics.
The Diocese of Fargo had three parochial schools when it was first established.
The Diocese of Fargo had one hospital when it was first established.
By 1897, the Diocese of Fargo had 60 churches.
As of 2023, 25% of the total population within the Diocesan boundaries were Catholics, amounting to around 90,000 people.
