Diocese of Cheyenne

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The Diocese of Cheyenne, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese encompassing the entire state of Wyoming in the United States. Founded on August 2, 1887, by Pope Leo XIII, it is led by Bishop Steven R. Biegler since his installation on July 8, 2019.[1] Part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Denver, the diocese serves approximately 56,000 Catholics across 47 parishes in a vast rural territory marked by frontier missionary spirit, including dedicated ministry to Native American communities.[2]

Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Cheyenne

Diocese: Diocese of Cheyenne
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of Denver
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Denver
Country:United States
Region:Wyoming
Bishop:Steven R. Biegler
Website:https://diocesecheyennewy.org/
Newspaper:https://www.wyomingcatholic.com/
Catholic %:10.0%
Elementary Schools:4
High Schools:2
Deaneries:5
Priests:52
Existence:1887–
Predecessor Dioceses:Vicariate Apostolic of Nebraska
Catholic Hospitals:3
Rating:4.0
Chancery Address:2121 Capitol Ave. Cheyenne, WY 82001

Establishment

The Diocese of Cheyenne was canonically erected on August 2, 1887, by Pope Leo XIII through the apostolic constitution In Catholica Ecclesia, carved from the Vicariate Apostolic of Nebraska to address the spiritual needs of Catholics in the Wyoming Territory amid railroad expansion and settlement.[3][4] Maurice Francis Burke was appointed as the first bishop, marking the transition from missionary vicariate to full diocese.

History

The diocese's early years were defined by frontier challenges, including vast distances and sparse population, with Bishop Burke establishing parishes and schools.[5] Boundary changes were minimal, as it has covered all of Wyoming since statehood in 1890. Significant milestones include the construction of the Cathedral of St. Mary in the 1920s and growth in Native American apostolates. In recent decades, under Bishops McGrath and Etienne, the diocese emphasized vocations and synodal processes, while Bishop Biegler has focused on Eucharistic revival post-National Eucharistic Revival.[6]

Geography

The Diocese of Cheyenne comprises the entirety of Wyoming, spanning 97,813 square miles (253,335 km²) and all 23 counties:

It falls within the Ecclesiastical Province of Denver.[7]

Mother church

The Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne serves as the mother church, a Romanesque Revival structure built between 1920 and 1923, featuring stained glass windows depicting Wyoming's Catholic history.[8]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Bishop Steven R. Biegler was appointed on April 30, 2019, and installed on July 8, 2019. Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Sioux City in 1990, he previously served as vicar general there and emphasizes rural ministry, vocations, and Eucharistic devotion.[9][10]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Maurice Francis Burke 1887–1893 First bishop; transferred to St. Joseph.
Thomas Mathias Lenihan 1893–1901 Died in office.
James John Keane 1902–1911 Transferred to Archdiocese of Dubuque.
Patrick A. McGovern 1912–1932 Oversaw cathedral construction; died in office.
Edward Francis Hoban 1932–1942 Appointed as coadjutor in 1931; transferred to Diocese of Cleveland.
Hubert Michael Newell 1943–1969 Retired.
James H. J. McGrath 1969–2000 Longest-serving bishop; retired.
David Ricken 2001–2008 Transferred to Diocese of Green Bay.
Paul Etienne 2009–2016 Transferred to Archdiocese of Seattle.

According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[11][12]

Theological and cultural orientation

The diocese rates as slightly conservative (4.0), with Traditional Latin Mass offered weekly in select parishes like St. Anthony in Casper and St. Mary in Powell; a strong emphasis on pro-life initiatives alongside social services for the rural poor; and leadership prioritizing doctrinal fidelity, vocations, and opposition to assisted suicide legislation.[13][14]

Statistics

As of 2023, the diocese covers 97,813 square miles (253,335 km²), serves 56,116 registered Catholics (10% of total population of 581,381), across 47 parishes and missions, with 52 priests, 40 deacons, and 105 religious.[15][16]

Religious Communities

Benedictine Sisters

The Sisters of St. Benedict from Atchison, Kansas, serve in education and parish ministry at Holy Rosary Academy in Thermopolis.[17] Benedictine Sisters

Franciscan Sisters

The Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity staff schools and healthcare in Casper and Cheyenne areas.[18] Sisters of St. Francis

Jesuits

The Society of Jesus provides retreats and chaplaincy through the Jesuit Wyoming Province.[19] Jesuits West

Parishes

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

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This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

No results The diocese includes 47 parishes and missions organized into 5 deaneries: Cheyenne, Casper, Central Wyoming, Northwest Wyoming, and Southwest Wyoming, serving diverse rural, urban, and Native American communities with English, Spanish, and occasional Latin liturgies.[20]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The diocese supports 4 elementary/middle schools and 2 high schools (integrated in PK-12 systems):

School Name City Type Website
Bishop McGovern Catholic School Sheridan PK-12 https://www.mcgovernschool.org/
Holy Rosary Academy Thermopolis PK-8 https://holyrosaryacademy.org/
Natrona Catholic School Casper PK-12 https://www.natronacatholic.org/
St. Mary Cathedral School Cheyenne PK-8 https://stmarycathedralschool.org/

[21]

Community Outreach

Catholic Charities of Wyoming, under diocesan auspices, offers food pantries, housing aid, and immigration services to over 10,000 individuals annually across the state, with specialized Native American programs.[22]

Notable Events or Figures

  • Bishop Maurice Burke, the first bishop, was an Irish immigrant who traveled thousands of miles on horseback to minister to ranchers and railroad workers.[23]
  • In 1976, the diocese hosted the National Catholic Rural Life Conference convention, highlighting its agricultural faith heritage.[24]
  • Blessed Carlo Acutis relics were enshrined at the cathedral in 2023, drawing pilgrims statewide.[25]

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Cheyenne:


  • Did you know? The Diocese of Cheyenne covers the entire "Cowboy State" of Wyoming—over 97,000 square miles with just 47 parishes, making it one of the most spread-out dioceses in the U.S., where priests often travel hours between Masses!
  • Surprise! First Bishop Maurice Burke rode horseback across the frontier in the 1880s, building over 20 churches and baptizing thousands amid Wyoming's wild west boom.
  • Here's something cool: The Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne boasts stunning stained-glass windows showing Wyoming saints and pioneers, dedicated in 1923 as a beacon on the high plains.
  • Wow moment: Wyoming Catholics make up just 10% of the population but punch above their weight in vocations—Bishop Biegler ordained three priests in 2023 alone from this vast ranchland!
  • Little-known gem: The diocese has a strong Native American ministry, with St. Stephen's Mission in Lander serving the Wind River Reservation since 1897, blending Catholic faith with Arapaho and Shoshone traditions.
  • Fun fact: In 2023, relics of teen saint-to-be Carlo Acutis arrived at the cathedral, sparking youth pilgrimages and tech-savvy devotion in cowboy country.
  • Did you know? Bishop James McGrath served 31 years (1969-2000), the longest tenure, guiding the diocese through oil booms and building lasting schools like Bishop McGovern Catholic.
  • Surprise! The Wyoming Catholic newspaper, the diocese's voice since 1941, covers everything from rodeo blessings to pro-life marches in Cheyenne Frontier Days.

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    References

    1. ↑ "Diocese of Cheyenne". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dchey.html. 
    2. ↑ "Diocesan Statistics". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/about/statistics/. 
    3. ↑ "Diocese of Cheyenne". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dchey.html. 
    4. ↑ "Diocesan History". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/about/history/. 
    5. ↑ "Diocesan History". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/about/history/. 
    6. ↑ "National Eucharistic Revival". https://www.usccb.org/eucharistic-revival. 
    7. ↑ "Diocesan Territory". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/about/territory/. 
    8. ↑ "Cathedral of St. Mary". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/cathedral/. 
    9. ↑ "Bishop Steven Robert Biegler". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bbiegl.html. 
    10. ↑ "Our Bishop". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/bishop/. 
    11. ↑ "Diocese of Cheyenne". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dchey.html. 
    12. ↑ "Past Bishops". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/about/bishops/. 
    13. ↑ "Diocesan News". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/news/. 
    14. ↑ "Wyoming Catholic Conference". https://wyolife.org/. 
    15. ↑ "Diocesan Statistics". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/about/statistics/. 
    16. ↑ "Diocese of Cheyenne". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dchey.html. 
    17. ↑ "Religious Communities". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/religious-communities/. 
    18. ↑ "Religious Communities". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/religious-communities/. 
    19. ↑ "Religious Communities". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/religious-communities/. 
    20. ↑ "Parish Directory". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/parishes/. 
    21. ↑ "Catholic Schools". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/schools/. 
    22. ↑ "Catholic Charities of Wyoming". https://ccwy.org/. 
    23. ↑ "Diocesan History". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/about/history/. 
    24. ↑ "National Catholic Rural Life Conference". https://ncrconline.org/. 
    25. ↑ "Carlo Acutis Relics". https://diocesecheyennewy.org/news/carlo-acutis-relics/. 

    External Links

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