The Diocese of Leavenworth (Leavenworthen(sis)) is a former bishopric and present Latin titular bishopric in and originally around Kansas state, Midwestern United States.
The diocese was created on May 22, 1877, by Pope Pius IX.
On 1857.01.06, it lost territory to establish the then Apostolic Vicariate of Nebraska. Still in 1857, the remainder was renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Kansas.
On 22 May 1877, it was promoted as Diocese of Leavenworth, ceasing to be missionary and exempt. On 2 August 1887, it lost territories to establish the Dioceses of Wichita and the Concordia
On 29 May 1891, it was renamed as Diocese of Kansas City, Kansas / Civitatis Kansas (Latin), and on 5 March finally renamed as Diocese of Leavenworth.
On May 10, 1947, the diocese was suppressed and its territory used to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City.
(all Latin, Roman Rite)
Apostolic Vicar of Indian Territory East of the Rocky Mountains
John Baptiste Miège, Jesuits S.J. (1850.07.23 – 1857 see below), Titular Bishop of Messene (1850.07.23 – 1884.07.21)
Apostolic Vicars of Kansas
John Baptiste Miège, Jesuits S.J. (see above 1857 – 1874.11.18)
Louis Mary Fink, Benedictine Order (O.S.B.) (1874.11.18 – 1877.05.22), Titular Bishop of Eucarpia (1871.03.01 – 1877.05.22), succeeding a former Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Kansas (1871.03.01 – 1874.11.18)
Bishop of Leavenworth (first time)
Louis Mary Fink, (O.S.B.) (see above 1877.05.22 – 1891.05.29 see below)
Bishop of Kansas City, Kansas
Louis Mary Fink, (O.S.B.) (see above 1891.05.29 – 1897.03.05 see below)
Bishops of Leavenworth (again)
Louis Mary Fink, (O.S.B.) (see above 7.03.05 – 1904.03.17 death)
Bishop Thomas Francis Lillis (1904.10.24 – 1910.03.14), later Titular Bishop of Cibyra Magna (1910.03.14 – 1913.02.21), Coadjutor Bishop (1910.03.14 – 1913.02.21) and next
Bishop of Kansas City (USA) (1913.02.21 – 1938.12.29)
John Chamberlain Ward (1910.11.25 – 1929.04.20)
Francis Johannes (1929.04.20 – 1937.03.13), previously Titular Bishop of Thasus & Coadjutor Bishop of Leavenworth (1927.12.19 – 1929.04.20)
Paul Clarence Schulte (1937.05.29 – 1946.07.20); later Metropolitan Archbishop of Archbishop of Indianapolis (1946.07.20 – 1970.01.03) and finally Titular Archbishop of Elicroca (1970.01.03 – 1984.02.17)
George Joseph Donnelly (1946.11.09 – 1947.05.10), previously Titular Bishop of Cœla & Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Louis (USA) (1940.03.19 – 1946.11.09); later Bishop of successor diocese Kansas City (1947.05.10 – 1950.12.13)
In 1995, the Diocese of Leavenworth was nominally restored as a titular see of the lowest (episcopal) rank.
It has had the following incumbents :
Marion Francis Forst (1995.09.23 – 2007.06.02)
Barry Christopher Knestout (2008.11.18 – ...), Auxiliary Bishop of Washington (D.C., USA)
