Diocese of Baker
The Diocese of Baker, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese in eastern Oregon in the United States. Established in 1903 as the Diocese of Baker City and renamed in 1952 by Pope Pius XII, it is led by Bishop Liam Stephen Cary since 2013. Part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Portland in Oregon, the diocese serves a rural Catholic population across 17 counties with 31 parishes, emphasizing missionary outreach in a sparsely populated region known for its high desert landscapes and ranching heritage. A notable event was the 2019 Eucharistic Congress in Bend, which gathered over 500 faithful for adoration and catechesis, underscoring the diocese's commitment to spiritual renewal.
Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Baker
| Diocese: Diocese of Baker | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Suffragan diocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Portland in Oregon |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon |
| Country: | United States |
| Region: | Oregon |
| Bishop: | Liam Stephen Cary |
| Website: | https://www.bakercatholic.org |
| Newspaper: | https://archdpdx.org/catholic-sentinel |
| Catholic %: | 6.0% |
| Elementary Schools: | 6 |
| High Schools: | 1 |
| Deaneries: | 6 |
| Priests: | 38 |
| Existence: | 1903– |
| Predecessor Dioceses: | Diocese of Baker City |
| Catholic Hospitals: | 3 |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Chancery Address: | 2145 1st Street
Baker City, OR 97814 United States |
Establishment
The Diocese of Baker was canonically erected on June 16, 1903, as the Diocese of Baker City by Pope Pius X, carved from the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. It was renamed the Diocese of Baker on February 16, 1952, by Pope Pius XII to reflect its principal city.[1][2]
History
Early Years
The diocese originated amid the influx of Catholic settlers, miners, and ranchers in eastern Oregon during the late 19th century. Bishop Joseph Francis McGrath, its first ordinary, focused on building churches and schools in remote areas despite harsh conditions.[3]
20th Century Developments
Boundary adjustments occurred over time, with some counties transferred to the Diocese of Boise in 1971. The 1952 name change aligned with the shift of the episcopal see toward growing areas like Bend.[4]
Geography
The Diocese of Baker encompasses 17 counties in eastern Oregon, covering approximately 66,000 square miles (171,000 km²) of high desert, mountains, and ranchlands:
- Baker County
- Crook County
- Deschutes County
- Gilliam County
- Grant County
- Harney County
- Jefferson County
- Klamath County
- Lake County
- Malheur County
- Morrow County
- Sherman County
- Umatilla County
- Union County
- Wallowa County
- Wasco County
- Wheeler County
It falls within the Ecclesiastical Province of Portland in Oregon.[5]
Mother Church
St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Baker City, Oregon, constructed in 1908 in Romanesque Revival style, serves as the mother church. It features a prominent dome and underwent restoration in the 1990s.[6]
Leadership
Current Bishop
Bishop Liam Cary was appointed the eighth bishop on May 7, 2013, and installed on July 1, 2013. Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria in 1982, he previously served as judicial vicar and pastor before his episcopal consecration.[7]
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph Francis McGrath | 1903–1923 | First bishop of Baker City; died in office. |
| Joseph Edward O'Connell | 1926–1950 | Bishop of Baker City; died in office. |
| Leo Fabian Fahey | 1950–1960 | Bishop during rename to Baker; retired. |
| Francis J. Newman | 1961–1999 | Longest-serving bishop; retired. |
| Robert F. Lynch | 1999–2012 | Promoted social justice initiatives; transferred to Diocese of St. Petersburg. |
| Liam Stephen Cary | 2013–present | Current bishop. |
According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[8]
Theological and Cultural Orientation
The diocese rates as slightly conservative (4.2), with Traditional Latin Mass offered weekly in several parishes including the cathedral, a balanced emphasis on pro-life advocacy alongside rural poverty outreach, and leadership prioritizing Eucharistic devotion and orthodoxy under Bishop Cary's tenure.[9][10]
Statistics
The diocese spans 66,877 square miles (173,209 km²), serving about 31,000 registered Catholics (roughly 6% of the 550,000 total population) across 31 parishes and 22 missions.[11][12]
Religious Communities
Benedictine Sisters
The Benedictine Sisters of the Solesmes Congregation staff parishes and schools, including in Wallowa. Address: 89999 Hwy 86, Durkee, OR 97905.[13]
Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon
The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon provide education and healthcare ministry. Address: Ontario, OR.[14]
Parishes
| Diocese of Baker |
|---|
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
The diocese includes 31 parishes organized into 6 deaneries, serving diverse rural communities with English, Spanish, and occasional Latin liturgies.[15]
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
The diocese supports 6 elementary schools and 1 high school:
| School Name | City | Type | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Francis Academy | Baker City | Elementary | https://stfrancisacademy.org |
| St. Helen Catholic School | Central Point | Elementary | |
| St. Patrick Catholic School | Heppner | Elementary | |
| Madonna Catholic School | Klamath Falls | Elementary | |
| St. Andrew Catholic School | La Grande | Elementary | |
| St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School | Bend | Elementary | https://seasetonbend.org |
| DeSales Catholic High School | Walla Walla | High School |
Community Outreach
Catholic Charities of Baker serves over 5,000 individuals annually with food pantries, housing aid, and immigration services across eastern Oregon.[17]
Notable Events or Figures
- Bishop Francis J. Newman dedicated the diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1984, fostering widespread Marian devotion.[18]
- The 1929 consecration of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral drew pilgrims from across the Northwest.[19]
Fun facts
Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Baker:
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References
- ↑ "Diocese of Baker". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dbake.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocese History". https://www.bakercatholic.org/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocese of Baker". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dbake.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Baker. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "About the Diocese". https://www.bakercatholic.org/about. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "St. Francis de Sales Cathedral". https://www.bakercatholic.org/cathedral. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Bishop Liam Stephen Cary". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bcary.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocese of Baker". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dbake.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Liturgical Life". https://www.bakercatholic.org/worship/liturgical-life. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Respect Life". https://www.bakercatholic.org/respect-life. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocese of Baker". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dbake.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocesan Statistics". https://www.bakercatholic.org/about/statistics. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Religious Orders". https://www.bakercatholic.org/religious. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Religious Orders". https://www.bakercatholic.org/religious. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Parish Directory". https://www.bakercatholic.org/parishes. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Catholic Schools". https://www.bakercatholic.org/schools. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Catholic Charities". https://cccbaker.org. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocese History". https://www.bakercatholic.org/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "St. Francis de Sales Cathedral". https://www.bakercatholic.org/cathedral. Retrieved 2024-10-01.