Diocese of Amarillo
The Diocese of Amarillo, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese encompassing 26 counties in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains regions of the United States. Established on March 17, 1926, by Pope Pius XI, it is led by Bishop Michael David Savage since his installation in 2021. As part of the Ecclesiastical Province of San Antonio, the diocese serves around 55,000 Catholics amid a ranching and agricultural landscape, with notable contributions to Catholic education through schools like Amarillo Catholic High School and a strong emphasis on pro-life advocacy. Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Amarillo
| Diocese: Diocese of Amarillo | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Suffragan diocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of San Antonio |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | Archdiocese of San Antonio |
| Country: | United States |
| Region: | Texas |
| Bishop: | Michael David Savage |
| Website: | https://amarillodiocese.org/ |
| Newspaper: | https://amarillodiocese.org/west-texas-catholic/ |
| Catholic %: | 6.1% |
| Elementary Schools: | 12 |
| High Schools: | 3 |
| Deaneries: | 6 |
| Priests: | 75 |
| Existence: | 1926– |
| Predecessor Dioceses: | Diocese of Dallas |
| Catholic Hospitals: | 3 |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Chancery Address: | 1802 N. Spring St. Amarillo, TX 79107 |
Establishment
The Diocese of Amarillo was canonically erected on March 17, 1926, by Pope Pius XI through the apostolic constitution Ad catholici gregis, carved from the territory of the Diocese of Dallas.[1][2] This creation addressed the spiritual needs of the vast, sparsely populated Panhandle region, which had grown with railroad expansion and settlement.
History
The diocese's early years focused on building infrastructure in a frontier-like area dominated by ranching and farming. Under its first bishop, James V. Byrne, numerous parishes and schools were established despite economic challenges like the Dust Bowl.[3]
Boundary adjustments occurred over time, but the diocese has remained stable since its founding. Significant milestones include the dedication of St. Mary's Cathedral in 1930 and growth in Catholic education post-World War II.
Geography
The Diocese of Amarillo covers 26 counties in the northern part of Texas, spanning approximately 26,040 square miles (67,400 km²) of high plains:
- Armstrong County
- Briscoe County
- Carson County
- Castro County
- Childress County
- Cochran County
- Collingsworth County
- Dallam County
- Deaf Smith County
- Donley County
- Gray County
- Hall County
- Hansford County
- Hartley County
- Hemphill County
- Hutchinson County
- Lipscomb County
- Moore County
- Ochiltree County
- Oldham County
- Parmer County
- Potter County
- Randall County
- Roberts County
- Sherman County
- Wheeler County
It forms a suffragan in the Ecclesiastical Province of San Antonio.[4][5]
Mother church
St. Mary's Cathedral in Amarillo serves as the mother church of the diocese. Constructed in 1909 and elevated to cathedral status in 1926, it features Gothic Revival architecture and underwent renovations in the 1980s.[6]
Leadership
Current Bishop
Bishop Michael David Savage was appointed on December 8, 2020, and installed on February 23, 2021. A priest of the Diocese of Austin, he previously served as vicar general and emphasizes priestly formation and pro-life ministry.[7][8]
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| James Vincent Byrne | 1926–1963 | First bishop; built foundational parishes and schools. |
| Lawrence Michael Finn | 1963–1971 | Focused on rural ministry; resigned. |
| John L. Morkovsky | 1971–1975 | Transferred from Diocese of Galveston-Houston; promoted education. |
| Stephen A. LeVoir | 1975–1980 | Emphasized evangelization; died in office. |
| John J. Fitzpatrick | 1980–1997 | Oversaw growth in Amarillo; retired. |
| Donald E. Pelotte | 1997–2007 | First Native American bishop in Texas; died in office. |
| Patrick Zurek | 2008–2020 | Advanced pro-life initiatives; retired. |
| Michael David Savage | 2020– | Current bishop. |
According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[9]
Theological and Cultural Orientation
The diocese rates as somewhat conservative (4.3), with Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) offered weekly in several parishes, a strong emphasis on traditional moral teachings like pro-life advocacy through annual marches, and leadership under Bishop Savage prioritizing doctrinal fidelity and vocations.[10][11]
Statistics
As of 2023, the diocese covers 26,040 square miles (67,400 km²), serves 54,700 registered Catholics (6.1% of a total population of 891,000) across 52 parishes and 6 deaneries, with 75 priests, 12 elementary schools, 3 high schools, and 3 Catholic hospitals.[12][13]
Religious Communities
Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Newark
The Sisters of St. Joseph staff schools and healthcare in the diocese. Address: Various locations including Amarillo.[14]
Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit
The Franciscans support parish ministry and retreats. Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit[15]
Poor Clare Nuns
The Poor Clares maintain a contemplative monastery in Amarillo.[16]
Parishes
| Diocese of Amarillo |
|---|
|
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
The diocese includes 52 parishes organized into 6 deaneries, serving diverse rural and urban communities with a focus on Hispanic ministry and ranchland outreach.[17]
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
The diocese oversees 12 elementary/middle schools and 3 high schools:
| School Name | City | Type | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Saints School | Lubbock | Elementary | |
| Amarillo Catholic High School | Amarillo | High School | https://achspanthers.org/ |
| Christ the King School | Amarillo | Elementary | https://ctksam.com/ |
| Holy Cross Catholic Academy | Amarillo | Elementary | |
| Our Lady of Guadalupe School | Amarillo | Elementary | |
| Sacred Heart School | Amarillo | Elementary | |
| St. Andrew School | Amarillo | Elementary | |
| St. Joseph School | Amarillo | Elementary | |
| St. Laurence School | Amarillo | Elementary | |
| St. Mary's School | Amarillo | Elementary | |
| St. Thomas Early Learning Center | Amarillo | Elementary | |
| Seton Catholic School | Amarillo | Elementary | |
| Lubbock Christian School (affiliated) | Lubbock | High School | |
| Monsignor King HS (historical affiliate) | High School | |
Sources include diocesan directory and NCEA listings.[18]
Community Outreach
Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle provides food, shelter, and immigration services to thousands annually, operating in Amarillo and outreach centers.[19]
Notable Events or Figures
- Bishop Donald Pelotte, the first Native American ordinary in Texas, advanced multicultural ministry until his death in 2007.[20]
- The diocese hosted the National Catholic Rural Life Conference convention in 1950, drawing attention to Panhandle faith life.[21]
Fun facts
Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Amarillo:
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References
- ↑ "Diocese of Amarillo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/damar.html.
- ↑ "Diocese History". https://amarillodiocese.org/history/.
- ↑ "Diocese of Amarillo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/damar.html.
- ↑ "About the Diocese". https://amarillodiocese.org/about/.
- ↑ "Diocese of Amarillo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/damar.html.
- ↑ "St. Mary's Cathedral". https://amarillodiocese.org/cathedral/.
- ↑ "Michael David Savage". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bsavage.html.
- ↑ "Our Bishop". https://amarillodiocese.org/bishop/.
- ↑ "Diocese of Amarillo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/damar.html.
- ↑ "Liturgical Life". https://amarillodiocese.org/worship/liturgical-life/.
- ↑ "Respect Life". https://amarillodiocese.org/respect-life/.
- ↑ "Diocese of Amarillo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/damar.html.
- ↑ "Diocesan Statistics". https://amarillodiocese.org/about/statistics/.
- ↑ "Religious Orders". https://amarillodiocese.org/religious-orders/.
- ↑ "Religious Orders". https://amarillodiocese.org/religious-orders/.
- ↑ "Religious Orders". https://amarillodiocese.org/religious-orders/.
- ↑ "Parish Directory". https://amarillodiocese.org/parishes/.
- ↑ "Catholic Schools". https://amarillodiocese.org/schools/.
- ↑ "Catholic Charities". https://cctxp.org/.
- ↑ "Donald E. Pelotte". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bpelotte.html.
- ↑ "Diocese History". https://amarillodiocese.org/history/.