- Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie
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Diocese of Erie
Diocesis Eriensis
Coat of arms of the Diocese of ErieLocation Country United States Ecclesiastical province Archdiocese of Philadelphia Statistics Area 9,936 sq mi (25,730 km2) Population
- Total
- Catholics(as of 2000)
874,055
~225,000Parishes 120 Information Rite Roman Rite Cathedral St. Peter Cathedral Current leadership Bishop Donald Walter Trautman Map 
Website www.eriercd.org 
St. Peter Cathedral
St Patrick's is the oldest Catholic parish in Erie, PennsylvaniaThe Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie (Latin: Dioecesis Eriensis) is a Roman Catholic diocese in western Pennsylvania. It was founded on July 29, 1853. It is one of seven suffragan sees in Pennsylvania that make up the Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia, which is headed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Contents
Size of diocese
Erie is geographically the largest diocese in Pennsylvania, covering 9,936 square miles (25,734.12 km2). Erie diocese covers 13 counties in Northwestern Pennsylvania. About 220,000 Catholics (74,000 families) reside in the diocese. They educate 14,000 children and youth in their religious education programs.[1]
Vicariates and parishes
The diocese is divided into three vicariates:
- The Eastern Vicariate consists of parishes in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter counties. It has deaneries at Bradford, Clearfield, Dubois, and St. Mary's.
- The Northern Vicariate consists of parishes in Erie, part of Forest, and Warren counties. It has Erie East and Erie West deaneries in Erie, Pennsylvania, plus a deanery in Warren
- The Western Vicariate consists of parishes in Clarion, Crawford, part of Forest, Mercer, and Venango. It has deaneries in Meadville, Oil City, and Sharon.[2]
Historically significant parishes include:[3]
Oldest Existing Parishes by Church Dedication Dates:[4]
- St. Francis Assisi, Clearfield (Oldest parish community in diocese; original church dedicated by Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick of Philadelphia in 1832)
- St. Philip, Crossingville (Original church dedicated by Bishop Kenrick, 1834)
- St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Crates (Original church dedicated by Bishop Kenrick, 1835)
- St. Michael, the Archangel, Fryburg (Original church dedicated by Bishop Kenrick, 1836)
- St. Hippolyte, Frenchtown (Original church dedicated by Bishop Kenrick, 1837)
Other Historically-significant Parishes:
- St. Mary's, Erie (German origins, pioneer parish)
- St. Patrick's Pro-Cathedral, Erie (Pioneer parish)
- St. Peter Cathedral, Erie (Significant edifice)
- St. Stanislaus, Erie (Polish origins)
- St. Mary, St. Marys (Bavarian German origins, over 150 years old)
There are 120 parishes in the Erie diocese today, encompassing 151 churches.[1]
Administrative offices
The diocesan offices are located at St. Mark Catholic Center in Erie, Pennsylvania.[5]
Bishops
Below are the bishops of the diocese and their tours of service:
- Michael O'Connor (1853–1854) [3]
- Joshua Maria Young (1854–1866) [4]
- Tobias Mullen (1868–1899) [5]
- John Edmund Fitzmaurice (1899–1920) [6]
- John Mark Gannon (1920–1966) [7] [6]
- John Francis Whealon (1966–1968) [8]
- Alfred Michael Watson (1969–1982) [9]
- Michael Joseph Murphy (1982–1990) [10]
- Donald Walter Trautman (1990—) [11]
Religious orders
St. Stanislaus is a Polish Catholic parish in Erie, Pennsylvania- Benedictines (22 July 1852)
- Bridgettines
- Felicians
- Franciscans
- Marists
- Redemptorists (1875)
- Sisters of the Humility of Mary
- Sisters of St. Joseph (1860)
- Sisters of Mercy (24 /September 1870)
Charities
Erie Diocese has many charities throughout all of the parishes. There are 9 main charities within the diocese. Better Homes for Erie, Christ the King Manor, Foreign Missions, Harborcreek Youth Services, Donate to Mission of Friendship, Parish Care and Concern, Prince of Peace Center, Refugee Ministry, St. Martin Center [7]
Schooling
Elementary and Middle Schools
Having Catholic schools allows the best way to pass on the Catholic religion through generations. They teach their students the most important values of ever lasting peace and happiness. The focus on teaching the spiritual and secular dimensions of their lives. The schools allow their student to have a place of belonging in a global community. They focus on service within and outside of the school commutnity. The diocese has 33 elementary schools and 2 middle schools.[8]
High schools
- Cathedral Preparatory School, Erie
- Central Catholic High School, DuBois
- Elk County Catholic High School, St. Marys
- Kennedy Catholic High School, Hermitage
- Mercyhurst Preparatory School, Erie
- Venango Catholic High School, Oil City
- Villa Maria Academy, Erie
Cemeteries
- Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum, 3325 West Lake Road, Erie
- Gate of Heaven Cemetery and Mausoleum, 5711 West Lake Road, Erie
- Mary, Queen of Peace Cemetery and Mausoleum, 6000 Lake Pleasant Road, Erie
- Trinity Cemetery 2971 West Lake Road, Erie
See also Erie Diocesan Cemeteries
References
- ^ a b "Facts about the Erie Diocese." Faith Magazine CSA 2010: 3.
- ^ "Map of the Diocese". Erie Roman Catholic Diocese. http://www.eriercd.org/map.asp. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
- ^ Establishment dates for parishes will vary among sources: some use the arrival date of the first Catholic settlers; others use the date of the congregation's formation, the date of church building dedications, or the arrival date of the first resident priest.
- ^ St. Nicholas of Tolentino Church Sesquicentennial Jubilee Commemorative Book, 1978
- ^ "About the Diocese". Erie Roman Catholic Diocese. http://www.eriercd.org/gettoknowus.asp. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
- ^ Named archbishop in 1953 [1]; Gannon University named for Bishop Gannon in 1944 [2]
- ^ "Giving". Erie Roman Catholic Diocese. http://www.eriercd.org/giving.asp.
- ^ "Catholic Schools office". Erie Roman Catholic Diocese. http://www.eriercd.org/schools.asp.
External links
Categories:- Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie
- Erie, Pennsylvania
- Religious organizations established in 1853
- Roman Catholic dioceses and prelatures established in the 19th century
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