Ethan Walker
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is the oldest diocese and archdiocese in the United States. It is considered sacrosanct in the hierarchy of American dioceses due to its historical place as the country's first diocese. The Catholic population of the archdiocese grew from 265,000 to 400,000 during Keough's 14-year administration. As of 2020, the archdiocese had an estimated Catholic population of 525,000 with 198 diocesan priests, 193 religious priests, and 169 permanent deacons in 139 parishes. The current archbishop of Baltimore is Bishop William E. Lori, who was appointed in 2012.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Population of the Archdiocese in 2020 | 525,000 |
| Number of Diocesan Priests in 2020 | 198 |
| Number of Religious Priests in 2020 | 193 |
| Number of Permanent Deacons in 2020 | 169 |
| Number of Parishes in 2020 | 139 |
| Number of Parishes and Missions in 2017 | 153 |
| Number of Counties | 9 |
| Current Archbishop | William E. Lori |
| Previous Archbishop | Bishop Lawrence Shehan |
| Year of Previous Archbishop's Appointment | 1961 |
| Year of Current Archbishop's Appointment | 2012 |
| Year Baltimore Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy | 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
The Archdiocese of Baltimore
The Catholic Church has a long history in Maryland, dating back to the establishment of the proprietary colony of Maryland by Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, in 1634. Calvert, himself a Catholic, intended the colony to be a haven for English Catholics facing persecution in their homeland. During Ingle's Rebellion (1645-47), Fathers White and Fisher were taken to England as prisoners; Father White later returned to Maryland and converted many natives to Catholicism.
The first archbishop of Baltimore was appointed in 1806 by Pope Pius VII. Since then, the archdiocese has been led by a succession of archbishops, including Ambrose Maréchal, James Whitfield, Samuel Eccleston, Michael Curley, and, most recently, William E. Lori, appointed in 2012.
As of 2020, the archdiocese had an estimated Catholic population of 525,000 with 198 diocesan priests, 193 religious priests, and 169 permanent deacons serving 139 parishes. The Catholic population of the archdiocese has grown significantly over the years, with a notable increase from 265,000 to 400,000 during the administration of Archbishop Keough in the mid-20th century.
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Catholic population growth
The Catholic population worldwide has more than tripled over the past century, increasing from 15 million (5%) in 1910 to 89 million (8%) as of 2010. However, this growth is closely linked to overall population growth, and the geographic distribution of Catholics has changed significantly during this period.
Latin America and the Caribbean have seen substantial population growth, increasing from 4% of the global population in 1910 to 9% in 2010. As a result, despite a decrease in the share of the region's population that is Catholic (from 90% in 1910 to 72% in 2010), Latin America has become the region with the largest Catholic population in absolute numbers.
In North America, the Catholic population has grown more slowly, from about 15 million (5%) in 1910 to 89 million (8%) in 2010. The United States is home to about 7% of the world's Catholics. As of 2010, an estimated 23% of US adults and 24% of the total US population are Catholic. However, there have been reports of a decline in Catholicism in the US, with a decrease in Mass attendance and sacraments of initiation.
The Asia-Pacific region has experienced rapid growth, with the Catholic population increasing from 14 million (5%) a century ago to 131 million (12%) today. In contrast, the Middle East and North Africa, the ancient cradle of Christianity, are home to less than 1% of Catholics today, similar to a century ago.
Sub-Saharan Africa has witnessed the largest growth in the Catholic population as a percentage of the regional population, surging from about 1% in 1910 to 21% in 2020.
While the number of self-identified Catholics has increased, the number of religious brothers and sisters has declined sharply between 1965 and 2017. Additionally, there have been reports of increasing adult conversions in some US dioceses and in France.
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Archbishop appointments
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore is the oldest archdiocese in the United States. It is the metropolitan see of the Ecclesiastical Province of Baltimore and has the right of precedence in the nation at liturgies, meetings, and councils. The Archdiocese of Baltimore has 153 parishes and missions located in nine counties and the City of Baltimore. As of 2020, the archdiocese had an estimated Catholic population of 525,000 with 198 diocesan priests, 193 religious priests, and 169 permanent deacons in 139 parishes.
The first bishop was appointed after the American Revolution, when the diocese was erected to cover the United States before the establishment of additional dioceses. In 1859, the Vatican granted the archbishop of Baltimore the right of precedence in the nation at liturgies, meetings, and Plenary Councils.
The appointment of archbishops in Baltimore has been a significant aspect of the archdiocese's history. Here are four to six paragraphs detailing the appointments of archbishops in Baltimore:
Archbishop Michael Curley
In 1921, Pope Benedict XV named Bishop Michael Curley of the Diocese of Saint Augustine as the archbishop of Baltimore. Curley was welcomed warmly to the city, and during his tenure, he focused on establishing schools, with 66 being built during his time in office. He also established diocesan offices for Catholic Charities and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
Archbishop Keough
Archbishop Keough served from an unknown date until his death in December 1961. During his 14 years of administration, the Catholic population of the archdiocese grew significantly, from 265,000 to 400,000. Keough dedicated the new Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in 1959 and also constructed numerous schools, homes, and orphanages.
Archbishop Lawrence Shehan
In July 1961, Pope John XXIII named Bishop Lawrence Shehan of the Diocese of Bridgeport to assist Keough as coadjutor archbishop. Upon Keough's death, Shehan automatically succeeded him as archbishop of Baltimore. Shehan was a strong supporter of the American Civil Rights movement, banning racial segregation in all archdiocesan institutions. He also participated in the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and fostered good relations with the Jewish and Eastern Orthodox communities.
Archbishop William E. Lori
In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport as the archbishop of Baltimore. During his tenure, Lori addressed racism in the Catholic Church and instituted an initiative for reporting allegations against bishops in the archdiocese. As of 2023, Lori is still serving as the archbishop of Baltimore.
Archbishop Lori has also been active in making various appointments within the archdiocese, including pastor and associate pastor assignments. These appointments involve transfers and promotions of clergy to different parishes and roles, demonstrating Lori's ongoing role in shaping the leadership of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
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Bankruptcy filing
Bankruptcy is a common debt relief choice in Baltimore, with 9,151 bankruptcies filed in Maryland in the year ending June 30, 2021. The city offers two types of bankruptcy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the most common type in the United States, offering simplicity, low cost, and quick debt relief—in Baltimore, this can be achieved in about 120 days. However, to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Baltimore, you often have to pass the Maryland bankruptcy means test, which considers your income relative to the state's median income levels and your actual expenses.
If you are filing for business bankruptcy, you can do so wherever a partner or affiliate of your business has already filed. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland has a list of common filing fees, which can be paid in cash, money order, cashier's check, check (from law firms), credit card, or ACH. If you are the debtor, you cannot pay with a credit card or personal check.
If you live in Allegany, Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, Prince George's, St. Mary's, or Washington Counties, you must file your petition with the United States Bankruptcy Court Federal Courthouse in Greenbelt, MD. If you live in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, or Carroll County, you must file with the United States Bankruptcy Court Garmatz Federal Courthouse in Baltimore. Both courts allow for filing bankruptcy petitions electronically via the Case Management/Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) system.
It is worth noting that Baltimore has a poverty rate of 21.2%. If you are facing financial difficulties, there may be legal aid and free resources available to support you.
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The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
The Catholic population in Baltimore is a significant part of the city's religious landscape. While I cannot access real-time data, as of 2022, it was estimated that around 10.2% of Baltimore's residents identified as Catholic. This percentage has likely fluctuated over time, and it is worth noting that the Catholic Church has a rich history in the city, with a notable Catholic population and several prominent Catholic institutions.
Now, let's focus on one of Baltimore's iconic Catholic landmarks, The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen:
Construction of the cathedral began in the early 20th century, with the laying of the cornerstone in 1954. The building was designed by the renowned architectural firm of Baldwin & Pennington, who also designed several other notable churches in the area. The cathedral was officially dedicated in 1959, and since then, it has become a beloved fixture in the Baltimore Catholic community.
The cathedral features a beautiful exterior constructed from Indiana limestone, with intricate carvings and ornate details that reflect the Gothic style. The interior is equally impressive, with a spacious nave that can accommodate up to 1,500 people. The cathedral's stained glass windows, designed by Willet Studios, depict various scenes from the Bible and the lives of the saints, filling the space with a warm, ethereal light. One of the most striking features is the Great Rose Window, which measures 32 feet in diameter and portrays Mary as Queen, surrounded by angels and saints.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2020, the Catholic population of the Archdiocese of Baltimore was estimated to be 525,000 out of a total population of around 2.8 million, which is approximately 18.75%.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore is the archdiocese of the Latin Church of the Catholic Church in northern and western Maryland. It is the oldest diocese and archdiocese in the United States.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore has 153 parishes and missions located in nine counties and the City of Baltimore.
As of 2023, Bishop William E. Lori is the current archbishop of Baltimore. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
