Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie

Size of diocese

Erie is geographically the largest diocese in Pennsylvania, covering 10,167 square miles (26,332.41 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.

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.

Historically significant parishes include:

Oldest Existing Parishes by Church Dedication Dates:

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.

Administrative offices

The diocesan offices are located at St. Mark Catholic Center in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Bishops

Below are the bishops of the diocese and their tours of service:

Ordinaries

1. Michael O'Connor (1853–1854) [3]
2. Joshua Maria Young (1854–1866) [4]
3. Tobias Mullen (1868–1899) [5]
4. John Edmund Fitzmaurice (1899–1920) [6]
5. John Mark Gannon (1920–1966) [7]
6. John Francis Whealon (1966–1968) [8]
7. Alfred Michael Watson (1969–1982) [9]
8. Michael Joseph Murphy (1982–1990) [10]
9. Donald Walter Trautman (1990–2012) [11]
10. Lawrence Thomas Persico (2012–present) [12]

Auxiliary Bishops

John Mark Gannon (1917–1920)

Edward Peter McManaman (1948–1964)

Alfred Michael Watson (1965–1969)

Religious institutes

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, Counseling & Adoption Services, Foreign Missions, Harborcreek Youth Services], Saint John XXIII Home Donate to Mission of Friendship, Parish Care and Concern, Prince of Peace Center, Refugee Ministry], St. Martin Center

Schooling

The diocese has 33 elementary schools and 2 middle schools.

The following high schools are operated by the diocese:

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