Diocese of Arlington

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Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Arlington

Diocese: Diocese of Arlington
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of Baltimore
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Baltimore
Country:United States
Region:Virginia
Bishop:Michael F. Burbidge
Website:https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/
Newspaper:https://www.catholicherald.com/
Catholic %:12.8%
Elementary Schools:37
High Schools:4
Priests:301
Existence:1974–
Predecessor Dioceses:Diocese of Richmond
Rating:4.5
Chancery Address:200 North Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22203

The Diocese of Arlington (Latin: Dioecesis Arlingtonensis), a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese encompassing 21 counties and seven independent cities in Northern Virginia in the United States. Established on May 28, 1974, by Pope Paul VI, it was formed by separating territory from the Diocese of Richmond. It is led by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge as of 2016. As part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Baltimore, the diocese serves a rapidly growing Catholic community in a diverse suburban region near the nation's capital, with the Cathedral of St. Thomas More as its mother church. A notable aspect is its strong vocational growth, exemplified by the ordination of 12 new priests in 2025, the second-largest class in its history.[1][2][3]

The Diocese of Arlington is often recognized for its conservative orthodoxy, thriving vocations, and countertrend growth amid national declines, rather than celebrity associations.

Establishment

The Diocese of Arlington was erected on May 28, 1974, by Pope Paul VI, separating the northern portion of Virginia from the Diocese of Richmond to accommodate the growing Catholic population in the region.[4]

History

The territory of the diocese was originally part of the Diocese of Richmond, established in 1820. Rapid population growth in Northern Virginia following World War II led to the creation of the new diocese in 1974. The first bishop, Thomas Jerome Welsh, oversaw initial development, including new parishes and the diocesan newspaper, the Arlington Catholic Herald. Subsequent bishops continued expansion amid suburban growth near Washington, D.C. In recent years, the diocese has experienced notable vocational increases, with large ordination classes reflecting its vitality.[5][6]

Mother Church

The Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, a modern structure renovated and reopened in 2024 with added traditional elements such as stained-glass windows and devotional shrines, serves as the diocese’s mother church.[7]

Theological and cultural orientation

The diocese leans strongly conservative (rating: 4.5), with regulated availability of the Traditional Latin Mass in select locations following Vatican guidelines, a strong emphasis on traditional moral teachings such as pro-life advocacy, and leadership known for defending doctrinal fidelity.[8][9]

Statistics

As of 2025, the diocese covers 6,541 square miles (16,935 km²), serves approximately 431,100 registered Catholics across 70 parishes and 6 missions, with a total population of about 3,381,000, and has 301 priests.[10][11]

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in Diocese of Arlington
Diocese of Arlington

More...

This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

The diocese comprises 70 parishes and 6 missions serving diverse communities across Northern Virginia.[12]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Michael F. Burbidge has served as bishop since 2016. Previously bishop of Raleigh, he is known for his emphasis on pro-life issues and pastoral communication.[13]

Auxiliary Bishops

The diocese currently has no auxiliary bishops.[14]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Thomas Jerome Welsh 1974–1983 First bishop; transferred to Allentown.
John Richard Keating 1983–1998 Died in office.
Paul S. Loverde 1999–2016 Retired.
Michael F. Burbidge 2016–present Incumbent[15]

The Diocese of Arlington, established in 1974, has been led by the following bishops, each contributing to its growth and pastoral direction:

  • Thomas Jerome Welsh (1974–1983): First bishop; oversaw rapid early expansion, establishing new parishes and dedicating churches.
  • John Richard Keating (1983–1998): Ordained 84 priests; issued pastoral letters; known for controversial 1994 decision banning female altar servers (later reversed).
  • Paul S. Loverde (1999–2016, Bishop Emeritus): Reinstated the permanent diaconate; allowed female altar servers in 2006; authored five pastoral letters on topics like evangelization and life issues; focused on education and multicultural outreach.
  • Michael F. Burbidge (2016–present): Current bishop; nationally noted for strong vocations (e.g., ordaining large priest classes); issued pastoral letters on transgender issues (2021) and restricted Traditional Latin Mass (2022); chairs the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

Geography

The diocese covers 6,541 square miles (16,935 km²) in Northern Virginia, including the following 21 counties and seven independent cities:

  • Arlington County
  • Clarke County
  • Culpeper County
  • Fairfax County
  • Fauquier County
  • Frederick County
  • King George County
  • Lancaster County
  • Loudoun County
  • Madison County
  • Northumberland County
  • Orange County
  • Page County
  • Prince William County
  • Rappahannock County
  • Richmond County
  • Shenandoah County
  • Spotsylvania County
  • Stafford County
  • Warren County
  • Westmoreland County
  • City of Alexandria
  • City of Fairfax
  • City of Falls Church
  • City of Fredericksburg
  • City of Manassas
  • City of Manassas Park
  • City of Winchester

It is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Baltimore.[16][17]

Religious Communities

The Catholic Diocese of Arlington hosts a variety of religious institutes (orders and congregations) of men and women who serve in parishes, schools, contemplative life, and other ministries. While the diocese is primarily served by diocesan priests, religious order priests staff several parishes, and sisters contribute significantly to education and pastoral care. There are no major monasteries of monks within the diocese boundaries, though some vocations from the diocese join Benedictine communities elsewhere.

The diocese's vocations office highlights the ones below and others serving locally (not exhaustive, as some are from external motherhouses). Contemplative life is supported, with emphasis on prayer backing the diocese's growth. For the latest directory of residences or contacts, check the official Diocesan Directory (includes "Residences of Men and Women Religious" section) or the vocations pages for women/men religious.

Men's Religious Communities (Active in Ministry)

These orders provide priests who administer parishes or missions:

  • Oblates of St. Francis de Sales (OSFS) — Staff parishes including Our Lady of Good Counsel (Vienna) and St. Bartholomew (Bethesda area, though primarily focused in diocese).
  • Dominican Friars (Vietnamese Dominicans, Regional Vicariate of St. Vincent Liêm, OP) — Staff Holy Martyrs of Vietnam Parish (Arlington) and Our Lady of La Vang Mission (Chantilly), serving Vietnamese Catholics.
  • Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary — A smaller community focused on family ministry; priests serve in parishes with emphasis on supporting families.

Other orders may have individual priests serving, but these are the primary ones staffing multiple sites.

Women's Religious Communities (Active or Contemplative)

Many sisters serve in diocesan schools, parishes, and specialized ministries:

  • Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (Nashville Dominicans, OP) — Prominent in education; administer and teach at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School (Woodbridge) and St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School (Potomac Shores/Dumfries). They have a strong presence and attract vocations from the diocese.
  • Poor Clares of Mary, Mother of the Church (PCC) — Contemplative Franciscan nuns at a monastery in Alexandria; focus on prayer for the diocese (invited in 1977 specifically for vocations).
  • Poor Sisters of St. Joseph — Serve at Queen of Apostles Parish (Alexandria) in religious education and child care.
  • Sisters, Adorers of the Holy Cross — Vietnamese congregation with a community in the diocese; assist in pastoral work.
  • Daughters of St. Paul (Pauline Sisters) — Media and evangelization ministry; recent arrivals noted in diocesan events.
  • Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales — Support education and parish work.
  • Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist — Supported by the diocese historically.
  • Cloistered Dominicans — Mentioned as welcomed in past decades for contemplative life.

Other communities may have smaller presences or individual sisters in formation/postings.

Official list

https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/about/directory/residences-of-men-and-women-religious

Men's groups

CICM - MISSIONHURST - (CONGREGATION OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY)

Provincial House of the CICM in the United States (foreign, home missions)

Legal title: American IHM Province, Inc., Immaculate Heart Missions, Inc., & Missionhurst, Inc.

Missionhurst, 4651 25th St. N., Arlington, VA 22207 (703) 528-3800 | missionhurstcicm.org provincial@missionhurst.org

  • Very Rev. Andre Kazadi, CICM, Provincial Superior and 4 Priests
DOMINION HOUSE

4675 25th St. N., Arlington, VA 22207 | (703) 312-4901| bobcicm@yahoo.com.br

  • Brother Robert Dixon, CICM, Community Superior and 4 Priests
ST. ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH

5312 10th St. N., Arlington, VA 22205 | (703) 528-6276

  • Rev. Johanes Teguh Raharjo, CICM, Pastor and 2 Members
DCJM - DISCIPLES OF THE HEARTS OF JESUS AND MARY

13752 Mary’s Way, Woodbridge, VA 22192 | *(703) 494-2444

  • Rev. Ignacio de Ribera, DCJM, Local Superior and 4 Priests
OCSO - ORDER OF CISTERCIANS OF THE STRICT OBSERVANCE (TRAPPISTS)

Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Cross | 901 Cool Spring Ln., Berryville, VA 22611

(540) 955-4383 | holycross@hcava.org | virginiatrappists.org

  • Right Rev. Joseph Wittstock, OCSO, Abbot and 10 Monks

Woman's Religious

AR - HANDMAIDS OF REPARATION OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Nativity Convent | 6300 Capella Ave., Burke, VA 22015 (703) 455-4180 | srdonatella.ccd@nativityschool.org

  • Sr. Donatella Merulla, AR, Superior and 1 Sister
FSE - FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST

St. Philip’s Convent | 7504 St. Philip’s Ct., Falls Church, VA 22042 (703) 204-0837 | fallschurch@fsecommunity.org | fsecommunity.org

  • Sr. Karol Marie Hegarty, FSE, Superior and 8 Sisters
FSP - DAUGHTERS OF ST. PAUL

1025 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314 | (703) 549-1323 | alexandria@paulinemedia.com | pauline.org

  • Sr. Margaret Timothy Sato, FSP, Local Superior and 6 Sisters
IHM - SISTERS, SERVANTS OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

St. James Convent | 101 N. Spring St., Falls Church, VA 22046 | (703) 532-2388 | Fax: (703) 532-8316 | stjamesfc@yahoo.com | ihmimmaculata.org

  • Sr. Patricia Healey, IHM, Superior and 9 Sisters
  • In residence: Sr. Karl Ann Homberg, SSJ (see “SSJ - Sisters of St. Joseph”)
MTG - ADORERS OF THE HOLY CROSS

BusyBee Child Care Center | 10917 Marilta Ct., Fairfax, VA 22030 | (503) 706-6684 | mtgdlva3@gmail.com | busybeechildcareva.org

  • Sr. Marie-Pauline Bichlieu Nguyen, MTG, Local Superior and 3 Sisters
OP - DOMINICAN NUNS (CONTEMPLATIVE)

St. Dominic’s Monastery | 2636 Monastery Rd., Linden, VA 22642 | (540) 635-3259

  • Sr. Mary Magdalene, OP, Prioress and 12 Sisters
OP - DOMINICAN SISTERS (CONGREGATION OF ST. CECILIA)

Aquinas Convent | 5009 Bobcat Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22193 | (703) 878-7823

  • Sr. Mary Veronica Keller, OP, Superior and 7 Sisters
OSB - BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF VIRGINIA

St. Benedict Monastery | 9535 Linton Hall Rd., Bristow, VA 20136 (703) 361-0106 | osbva.org

  • Sr. Andrea Westcamp, OSB, Prioress and 26 Sisters
OSF - FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

5033 Fillmore Ave., #101, Alexandria, VA 22311 | (202) 251-4198 | seamcguire123@gmail.com

  • Sr. Elizabeth Ann McGuire, OSF
PCC - POOR CLARES / ORDER OF ST. CLARE (CLOISTERED)

Mary, Mother of the Church Monastery - 2505 Stonehedge Dr., Alexandria, VA 22306 | (703) 768-4918

  • Rev. Mother Miriam, PCC, Abbess and 14 Sisters
PSSJ - POOR SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH (BUENOS AIRES)

St. Gabriel Convent Regional House and Novitiate 4319 Sano St., Alexandria, VA 22312 | (703) 354-0395 |

pssjalexandria@gmail.com | pobresbonaerensesdesanjose.com

  • Sr. Maria Gonzalez, PSSJ, Local Superior and 4 Sisters
RSHM - RELIGIOUS OF THE SACRED HEART OF MARY

Marymount Convent | 2807 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22207 (703) 328-4945 | jamx434@aol.com | rshm.org

  • Sr. Jacqueline Murphy, RSHM
SNDS - SISTERS OF OUR LADY OF LA SALETTE (SOEURS DE NORTE DAME DE LA SALETTE)

Mary, Mother of Life - USA Delegation Procure 7421 St. Michael’s Ln., Annandale, VA 22003

(703) 865-8767 | (703) 618-2258 | sistersoflasalette@yahoo.com | sistersofourladylasalette@gmail.com | soeurs-lasalette.com

  • Sr. Maria Josephine “Marijo” S. Valenton, SNDS, USA-Canada Delegation Superior marijosnds@gmail.com and 6 Sisters
SSJ - SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH (CHESTNUT HILL, PHILADELPHIA)

In residence with IHM Sisters at St. James Convent 101 N. Spring St., Falls Church, VA 22046

(703) 395-1620 | skahomberg@gmail.com

  • Sr. Karl Ann Homberg, SSJ

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The diocese operates numerous Catholic schools, including elementary and high schools, with a focus on faith formation and academic excellence.[18]

Community Outreach

Programs such as Catholic Charities provide assistance to the vulnerable, including food services and support for women in need.[19]

Notable events or figures

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Wife, Mother, and Archduchess: A Conversation with HRH Kathleen de Habsbourg-Lorraine
  • Antons Justs: A priest of the diocese who became Bishop of Jelgava (Latvia) in 1995.
  • Before her marriage, Archduchess Kathleen of Habsburg-Lorraine worked as the Director of Communication for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia

Other events

  • The diocese celebrated its Golden Jubilee preparations in recent years and ordained its second-largest priestly class of 12 in 2025.[20]
  • Recent ordinations (e.g., 2025 class of 12 priests) highlight the diocese's vocational strength, with individuals like Fr. Alfredo Tuesta and Fr. Mike Sampson featured in national media for their diverse backgrounds.

Neighbor dioceses

Associated institutions

The diocese supports several Catholic educational institutions, though few widely famous public alumni are directly tied:

  • Christendom College (founded 1977 in Front Royal): Known for orthodox Catholic liberal arts education.
  • Divine Mercy University (established 2015 in Sterling): Focuses on psychology integrating Catholic teachings.
  • Marymount University (Arlington roots from 1950): Larger Catholic university in the area.
  • High schools like Paul VI Catholic High School (Fairfax) have produced notable athletes, such as NBA player V.J. King.

External Links

Social media

References

  1. ↑ "Diocese of Arlington". https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/darli.html. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  2. ↑ "Catholic Diocese of Arlington". https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  3. ↑ "This diocese just ordained 12 new priests!". https://aleteia.org/2025/07/05/this-diocese-just-ordained-12-new-priests/. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  4. ↑ "Diocese of Arlington". https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/darli.html. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  5. ↑ "Diocese of Arlington". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Arlington. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  6. ↑ "History of the Diocese of Arlington". https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/about-us/the-diocese/our-history/. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  7. ↑ "Cathedral of St. Thomas More". https://www.cathedralstm.org/. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  8. ↑ "Vatican renews permission for Traditional Latin Mass". https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/2024/07/19/vatican-renews-permission-for-celebration-of-traditional-latin-mass-in-the-diocese-of-arlington-in-accordance-with-traditionis-custodes/. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  9. ↑ "Diocese of Arlington". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Arlington. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  10. ↑ "Diocese of Arlington releases 2025 Annual Report". https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/2025/12/18/diocese-of-arlington-releases-2025-annual-report. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  11. ↑ "Diocese of Arlington". https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/darli.html. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  12. ↑ "Catholic Diocese of Arlington". https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  13. ↑ "Bishop Michael Francis Burbidge". https://catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bburbidge.html. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  14. ↑ "Diocese of Arlington". https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/darli.html. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  15. ↑ "Diocese of Arlington". https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/darli.html. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  16. ↑ "Diocese of Arlington". https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/darli.html. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  17. ↑ "Catholic Diocese of Arlington". https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  18. ↑ "Catholic Diocese of Arlington". https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  19. ↑ "2025 Annual Report". https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/2025/12/18/diocese-of-arlington-releases-2025-annual-report. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
  20. ↑ "This diocese just ordained 12 new priests!". https://aleteia.org/2025/07/05/this-diocese-just-ordained-12-new-priests/. Retrieved 2025-12-20. 
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