Diocese of Burlington

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The Diocese of Burlington, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese encompassing the entire state of Vermont in the United States. Founded on July 29, 1853, by Pope Pius IX, it is led by Bishop Christopher J. Coyne since 2015. As part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Boston, the diocese serves approximately 115,000 Catholics across 47 parishes amid Vermont's rugged Green Mountains, with a notable commitment to rural ministry and vocations, including the ordination of new priests in recent years.

Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Burlington

Diocese: Diocese of Burlington
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of Boston
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Boston
Country:United States
Region:Vermont
Bishop:Christopher J. Coyne
Website:https://www.vermontcatholic.org/
Newspaper:https://www.vermontcatholic.org/
Catholic %:18.0%
Elementary Schools:13
High Schools:3
Deaneries:6
Priests:106
Existence:1853–
Catholic Hospitals:2
Rating:3.3
Chancery Address:55 Joy Drive South Burlington, VT 05403

Establishment

The Diocese of Burlington was canonically erected on July 29, 1853, by Pope Pius IX through the apostolic brief Universi Dominici Gregis, originally named the Diocese of Vermont to serve the Catholic population in the state, which had been part of the Archdiocese of Boston.[1][2] It was renamed the Diocese of Burlington in 1855 after its principal see city.

History

The diocese was established amid 19th-century Irish immigration and missionary efforts in New England, with early growth driven by French-Canadian settlers in mills and farms. Key milestones include the construction of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in 1867 and boundary stability since inception, though it faced challenges from secularism and depopulation in rural areas.[3]

In the 20th century, bishops expanded education and charities, with post-Vatican II adaptations including lay involvement. Recent history features evangelization initiatives like the "Light of the North" plan under Bishop Coyne.[4]

Geography

The Diocese of Burlington comprises all 14 counties of Vermont, spanning 9,217 square miles (23,871 km²) of forested mountains, lakes, and rural communities from the Connecticut River to Lake Champlain:

  • Addison County
  • Bennington County
  • Caledonia County
  • Chittenden County
  • Essex County
  • Franklin County
  • Grand Isle County
  • Lamoille County
  • Orange County
  • Orleans County
  • Rutland County
  • Washington County
  • Windham County
  • Windsor County

It falls within the Ecclesiastical Province of Boston.[5][6]

Mother Church

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington serves as the mother church, a Gothic Revival structure completed in 1867 and renovated in 1988, featuring notable stained glass and a history tied to Bishop Louis de Goesbriand.[7]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Bishop Christopher J. Coyne has served since November 28, 2015. Formerly auxiliary bishop of Indianapolis and a media-savvy communicator, he emphasizes evangelization and synodality in Vermont's post-Christian culture.[8]

Auxiliary Bishops

None currently appointed.[9]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Louis de Goesbriand 1853–1899 First bishop; built cathedral and schools.
James J. Noonan 1899–1930 Expanded parishes; died in office.
Joseph M. Hayes 1930–1938 Focused on education; died in office.
Matthew F. Brady 1938–1945 Transferred to Diocese of Manchester.
Edward F. Ryan 1945–1971 Longest-serving; post-Vatican II implementation.
John A. Marshall 1971–1992 Emphasized vocations; retired.
Kenneth Angell 1992–2005 Promoted family life; retired.
Salvatore Cordano 2005–2015 Former auxiliary; retired.

According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[10][11]

Theological and Cultural Orientation

The diocese is balanced (rating: 3.3), with Traditional Latin Mass offered weekly in a few parishes like St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, equal emphasis on pro-life advocacy and social services like migrant aid, and Bishop Coyne maintaining a moderate stance through podcasts and synodal listening.[12][13]

Statistics

The diocese covers 9,217 square miles (23,871 km²), serves 115,847 registered Catholics (2021) across 47 parishes and 6 deaneries, with a total population of 643,077.[14][15]

Religious Communities

Jesuits

The Jesuits support retreats at the Corpus Christi Center and Jesuit High School alumni networks. Address: St. Michael's College, Colchester, VT 05439.[16] Jesuits

Sisters of Mercy

The Sisters of Mercy of Burlington manage elder care and education at Mercy Residence. Address: 634 Spear Street, Burlington, VT 05405.[17]

Carmelites

The Carmelites operate Mount Carmel Monastery for contemplative prayer. Address: 59 Floweree Road, Danville, VT 05828.[18]

Parishes

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

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This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

No results The Diocese of Burlington includes 47 parishes organized into 6 deaneries, serving diverse urban, rural, and French-Canadian heritage communities, with co-cathedrals in Burlington and Rutland.[19]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The diocese oversees 13 elementary/middle schools and 3 high schools:

School Name City Type Website
Christ the King School Burlington Elementary https://ctkvermont.org/school/
Holy Family School Essex Junction Elementary https://holyfamilyschool.net/
Mount St. Joseph Academy Rutland High School https://msjvermont.org/
Rice Memorial High School South Burlington High School https://www.rmhs.org/
St. Francis Xavier School Winooski Elementary https://stfrancisxavierschool.org/
St. Joseph School Rutland Elementary https://stjosephrutland.com/
St. Michael's College Colchester College
Vermont Commons School (Catholic-affiliated) South Burlington High School

[20]

Community Outreach

Catholic Charities Vermont provides food, housing, and refugee services to over 10,000 people annually, including Vincentian missions in rural areas.[21]

Notable Events or Figures

  • Bishop Louis de Goesbriand, the founding bishop, personally funded the cathedral amid anti-Catholic nativism.[22]
  • The diocese hosted the National Catholic Youth Conference regional event in 2018, drawing youth from New England.[23]

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Burlington:


  • Did you know? Founded in 1853 by Pope Pius IX as the Diocese of Vermont (renamed Burlington in 1855), it was the first Catholic diocese in New England north of Boston, serving hardy Irish and French-Canadian pioneers in the Green Mountains!
  • Surprise! The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington boasts stunning stained-glass windows imported from Munich, Germany, depicting Vermont's Catholic heritage and surviving a major fire in 1972.
  • Here's something cool: Vermont's only co-cathedral, St. Peter in Rutland, honors the state's southern Catholic roots and hosts the annual diocesan chrism Mass.
  • Wow moment: Bishop Christopher Coyne, a podcasting bishop, hosts "The Bishop's Call" to chat faith with Vermonters, blending modern media with timeless Gospel in a tech-savvy diocese!
  • Little-known gem: The diocese spans all of tiny Vermont—home to more cows than Catholics—but boasts a 100% seminary ordination success rate in recent years, fueling rural vocations.
  • Fun fact: French-Canadian devotions thrive at parishes like St. Anne in Highgate Springs, with old-world shrines echoing Quebec's influence on Yankee soil.
  • Did you know? Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington has produced pro baseball players and Olympians, showing Catholic education's all-star impact in the Green Mountain State!
  • Surprise! The Carmelites' Mount Carmel Monastery in Danville offers silent retreats amid maple syrup country, where prayer meets Vermont's sweetest traditions.

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    Associated saints

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    Religious orders

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    Diocesan photos

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    References

    1. ↑ "Diocese of Burlington". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dburl.html. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    2. ↑ "Diocesan History". https://www.vermontcatholic.org/about/history/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    3. ↑ "Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Burlington. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    4. ↑ "Diocesan History". https://www.vermontcatholic.org/about/history/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    5. ↑ "Diocese of Burlington". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dburl.html. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    6. ↑ "Parish Directory". https://www.vermontcatholic.org/parishes/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    7. ↑ "Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception". https://www.vermontcatholic.org/cathedral/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    8. ↑ "Christopher Joseph Coyne". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bcoyne.html. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    9. ↑ "Diocese of Burlington". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dburl.html. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    10. ↑ "Diocese of Burlington". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dburl.html. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    11. ↑ "List of Bishops". https://www.vermontcatholic.org/about/bishops/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    12. ↑ "Traditional Latin Mass". https://www.vermontcatholic.org/worship/liturgy/traditional-latin-mass/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    13. ↑ "Respect Life". https://www.vermontcatholic.org/respect-life/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    14. ↑ "Diocese of Burlington". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dburl.html. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    15. ↑ "Statistics". https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dburl.html#statistics. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    16. ↑ "Religious Orders". https://www.vermontcatholic.org/religious-orders/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    17. ↑ "Sisters of Mercy Burlington". https://www.mercybur.com/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    18. ↑ "Vermont Carmelites". https://www.vermontcarmel.org/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    19. ↑ "Parish Directory". https://www.vermontcatholic.org/parishes/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    20. ↑ "Catholic Schools". https://www.vermontcatholic.org/schools/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    21. ↑ "Catholic Charities Vermont". https://www.ccvtx.org/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    22. ↑ "Diocesan History". https://www.vermontcatholic.org/about/history/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 
    23. ↑ "NCYC Regional". https://www.vermontcatholic.org/news/ncyc/. Retrieved 2024-11-01. 

    External Links

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