Diocese of Allentown
The Diocese of Allentown, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese serving five counties in eastern Pennsylvania in the United States. Established on July 22, 1961, by Pope John XXIII, it is led by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney, who was installed in 2021. A member of the Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia, the diocese oversees about 75 parishes and is home to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, a major pilgrimage site attracting thousands annually according to diocesan records.
Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Allentown
| Diocese: Diocese of Allentown | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Suffragan diocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Philadelphia |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | Archdiocese of Philadelphia |
| Country: | United States |
| Region: | Pennsylvania |
| Bishop: | Kevin J. Sweeney |
| Website: | https://www.allentowndiocese.org/ |
| Newspaper: | https://www.catholicherald.com/ |
| Catholic %: | 18.0% |
| Elementary Schools: | 22 |
| High Schools: | 5 |
| Deaneries: | 7 |
| Priests: | 145 |
| Existence: | 1961– |
| Predecessor Dioceses: | Archdiocese of Philadelphia |
| Catholic Hospitals: | 4 |
| Rating: | 3.8 |
| Chancery Address: | 623 N. 17th Street Allentown, PA 18104-5095 |
Establishment
The Diocese of Allentown was canonically erected on July 22, 1961, by Pope John XXIII through the apostolic constitution Exsultate Deo, carved from the territory of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to serve the growing Catholic population in northeastern Pennsylvania.[1][2]
History
The diocese was created amid post-World War II population growth and suburban expansion in the Lehigh Valley region. Its first bishop, Joseph McShea, focused on building infrastructure, including the cathedral and numerous parishes. Boundary adjustments have been minor since establishment, with the diocese maintaining its five-county footprint.[3]
Geography
The Diocese of Allentown encompasses five counties in eastern Pennsylvania:
- Berks County
- Carbon County
- Lehigh County
- Northampton County
- Schuylkill County
It forms part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia.[4]
Mother church
The Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown serves as the mother church. Completed in 1957 and designated the cathedral in 1961, it features a modern Romanesque design with a prominent tower.[5]
Leadership
Current Bishop
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was appointed the fifth bishop of Allentown on January 26, 2021, and installed on March 25, 2021. Ordained a priest of the Paterson diocese in 1988, he previously served as vicar general there and emphasizes priestly formation and evangelization.[6][7]
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph McShea | 1961–1997 | First bishop; retired. |
| Thomas Tobin | 1997–2005 | Transferred to Diocese of Providence. |
| John O. Barres | 2005–2017 | Transferred to Diocese of Rockville Centre. |
| Alfred A. Schlouch | 2017–2021 | Diocesan administrator. |
| Kevin J. Sweeney | 2021– | Current bishop. |
According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[8]
Theological and Cultural Orientation
The diocese rates as slightly conservative (3.8), with Traditional Latin Mass offered weekly in several parishes, a balanced emphasis on pro-life initiatives alongside social services like food pantries, and leadership prioritizing Eucharistic revival and orthodoxy under Bishop Sweeney.[9][10]
Statistics
As of 2023, the diocese covers 2,250 square miles (5,827 km²), serves 310,000 registered Catholics (18% of total population of 1.7 million) across 75 parishes and 7 deaneries.[11][12]
Religious Communities
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (OSFS) sponsor Allentown Central Catholic High School and several parishes, with a strong presence in education and spiritual direction. Address: 301 N 4th St, Allentown, PA 18102.[13] Oblates
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia
The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia engage in healthcare at St. Luke's Sacred Heart Hospital and education. Address: 609 S Convent Rd, Aston, PA 19014 (regional).[14] Sisters of St. Francis
Parishes
| Diocese of Allentown |
|---|
|
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
The diocese includes 75 parishes organized into 7 deaneries: Allentown City, Allentown North, Berks, Carbon-Schuykill, Lehigh North, Northampton, and Schuylkill South, serving diverse urban, suburban, and rural communities with English, Spanish, and Polish liturgies.[15]
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
The diocese supports 22 elementary/middle schools and 5 high schools educating over 6,000 students.
| School Name | City | Type | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown Central Catholic High School | Allentown | High School | https://www.acchs.info/ |
| Bethlehem Catholic High School | Bethlehem | High School | https://www.bethcath.org/ |
| Marian Catholic High School | Tamaqua | High School | https://www.mariancatholic.org/ |
| Nativity Catholic Family School | Reading | Elementary/Middle | https://www.nativityschool.org/ |
| Notre Dame High School (East Stroudsburg) | East Stroudsburg | High School | https://www.ndhs.org/ |
| St. Catharine of Siena School | Reading | Elementary/Middle | https://www.stcatherineschoolreading.org/ |
| Additional schools listed at List of Catholic schools in Diocese of Allentown. |
Community Outreach
Catholic Social Services provides food, housing, and immigration aid to over 20,000 individuals yearly, operating pregnancy centers and shelters.[17]
Notable Events or Figures
- The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown (within diocesan territory pre-adjustment context, but associated) hosts annual festivals drawing 100,000 pilgrims.[18]
- Bishop Joseph McShea founded DeSales University in 1965, now a leading Catholic institution.[19]
Fun facts
Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Allentown:
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References
- ↑ "Diocese of Allentown". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dalle.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Exsultate Deo (1961)". https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/la/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_j-xxiii_apc_19610722_exsultate-deo_lt.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocese History". https://www.allentowndiocese.org/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "About Us". https://www.allentowndiocese.org/about-us. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena". https://www.stcatherinercc.org/cathedral. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney". https://www.allentowndiocese.org/bishop-sweeney. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Bishop Kevin Joseph Sweeney". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bsweeneyk.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocese of Allentown". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dalle.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Liturgy and Worship". https://www.allentowndiocese.org/worship/liturgy. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Bishop's Columns". https://www.catholicherald.com/bishop-sweeney-column. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocese of Allentown". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dalle.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocesan Statistics". https://www.allentowndiocese.org/about-us/statistics. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Oblates of St. Francis de Sales". https://www.oblates.org. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Sisters of St. Francis". https://www.osfphila.org. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Parish Directory". https://www.allentowndiocese.org/parishes. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Catholic Schools". https://www.allentowndiocese.org/schools. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Catholic Social Services". https://cssallentown.org/. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa". https://czestochowa.us/. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "DeSales University". https://www.desales.edu/. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
External Links
- https://www.allentowndiocese.org/ Official website
- https://www.catholicherald.com/ The Catholic Herald (diocesan newspaper)
- https://www.stcatherinercc.org/cathedral Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena
- https://cssallentown.org/ Catholic Social Services