Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend

From Saintapedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

The Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese in the United States covering 14 northern counties of the state of Indiana. Established on July 22, 1857, by Pope Pius IX, it is led by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades since his installation on January 13, 2010. A suffragan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Indianapolis, the diocese is home to the University of Notre Dame and serves approximately 250,000 Catholics across 87 parishes, with a notable emphasis on vocations that has produced over 100 priests in recent decades according to diocesan records.

Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend

Diocese: Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of Indianapolis
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Country:United States
Region:Indiana
Bishop:Kevin C. Rhoades
Website:https://www.diocesefwsb.org/
Newspaper:https://todayscatholic.org/
Catholic %:11.0%
Elementary Schools:49
High Schools:11
Deaneries:12
Priests:217
Existence:1857–
Predecessor Dioceses:Diocese of Vincennes
Catholic Hospitals:5
Rating:4.2
Chancery Address:915 S. Clinton St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802

Establishment

The Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend was canonically erected on July 22, 1857, by Pope Pius IX through the apostolic bull Ex supra eminentiis, carved out from the Diocese of Vincennes to serve the Catholic communities in northern Indiana amid rapid 19th-century immigration.[1][2]

History

The diocese's early years were marked by missionary efforts among German, Irish, and Polish immigrants, with Bishop John Stephen Bazin overseeing initial organization before his death in 1858. Boundary adjustments occurred in 1944 when the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana was established from its southern territories.[3] In the 20th century, it grew alongside industrialization and the rise of Notre Dame, hosting significant events like the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial Eucharistic Congress.

Geography

The diocese comprises 14 counties in northern Indiana: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Elkhart, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Marshall, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells, Whitley, and the northern portion of St. Joseph County. It forms part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Indianapolis and spans urban centers like Fort Wayne and South Bend alongside rural farmlands.[4]

Mother church

The diocese maintains a unique dual-cathedral arrangement. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne, built in 1860 in Gothic Revival style, serves the northern portion, while the Cathedral of St. Matthew in South Bend, constructed in 1942 with Romanesque elements, represents the southern see.[5][6]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades, appointed December 9, 2009, and installed January 13, 2010, previously served as Bishop of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He emphasizes priestly vocations, marriage preparation, and Eucharistic devotion, chairing the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth.[7][8]

Auxiliary Bishops

  • Robert J. McClory (1984–2002), ordained auxiliary in 1984, later Bishop of Gary; focused on education and youth ministry.[9]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
John Stephen Bazin 1857–1858 First bishop; died in office.
Maurice de St. Palais 1859 Coadjutor 1857; administrator after Bazin's death; transferred to Archbishop of Indianapolis.
Joseph Dwenger 1861–1893 First resident bishop; promoted education and built churches.
Joseph Rademacher 1893–1904 Emphasized immigrant ministries; died in office.
John Joseph Carberry 1965–1967 Appointed 1965; transferred to Archdiocese of Columbus.
Leo A. Pursley 1956–1974 Bishop 1956–1974; retired.
William E. McManus 1974–1976 Coadjutor 1971; succeeded Pursley; resigned.
John F. Noll 1925–1956 Long-serving bishop; founded Our Sunday Visitor.
John D'Arcy 1988–2009 Focused on pro-life and vocations; retired.
George J. Biskup 1967–1979 Transferred from Des Moines; later Archbishop of Indianapolis.
Edward John O'Donnell 1979–1984 Died in office.
William Leo Higi 1984–2008 Ordained auxiliary 1979; succeeded O'Donnell; retired.

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

Theological and Cultural Orientation

The diocese rates as slightly conservative (4.2), with Traditional Latin Mass offered weekly in several parishes including at the cathedral, a strong emphasis on pro-life initiatives comprising over 60% of social programs alongside poverty outreach, and Bishop Rhoades actively promoting doctrinal fidelity through public statements on marriage and liturgy.[12][13]

Statistics

The diocese covers 7,246 square miles (18,767 km²), with 250,796 registered Catholics (11% of total population of 2.3 million) served by 87 parishes and missions, 217 priests, and 12 deaneries as of 2023.[14][15]

Religious Communities

Congregation of Holy Cross

The Congregation of Holy Cross founded and administers Notre Dame and several parishes, emphasizing education and evangelization. Address: Notre Dame, IN 46556. Congregation of Holy Cross[16]

Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ

The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ operate healthcare and schools like Saint Joseph's High School. Address: Donaldson, IN 46513.[17]

Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart

The Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart serve in education and elder care. Address: South Bend, IN.[18]

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend

No results

This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

No results The diocese includes 87 parishes organized into 12 deaneries, featuring diverse ethnic communities such as Hispanic, Vietnamese, and Polish, with special apostolates at Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart.[19]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The diocese oversees 49 elementary/middle schools and 11 high schools, educating over 10,000 students. Notable institutions include University of Notre Dame and Bishop Luers High School.

School Name City Type Website
Bishop Dwenger High School Fort Wayne High School https://www.bishopdwenger.com/
Bishop Luers High School Fort Wayne High School https://www.bishopluers.org/
Marian High School Mishawaka High School https://www.marianhigh.org/
Saint Joseph's High School South Bend High School https://www.sjhs.org/
... (full list at List of Catholic schools in Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend)

[20]

Community Outreach

Catholic Charities serves 25,000 individuals annually with food pantries, housing, and immigration services, while the Society of St. Vincent de Paul operates thrift stores across deaneries.[21]

Notable Events or Figures

  • The diocese hosted the National Catholic Youth Jubilee in 2000 at the University of Notre Dame, drawing 15,000 young pilgrims during the Great Jubilee.[22]
  • Bishop John F. Noll, serving 1925–1956, founded Our Sunday Visitor, now the largest Catholic publisher in the U.S.[23]
  • Venerable Fulton J. Sheen ministered early in the diocese, influencing its media apostolate.

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend:


  • Did you know? Carved from the vast Diocese of Vincennes in 1857 by Pope Pius IX, this diocese was named for its two growing cities, making it one of the few with a hyphenated title—like a dynamic duo of faith!
  • Surprise! It boasts TWO cathedrals: the Gothic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne and St. Matthew Cathedral in South Bend, a rare setup reflecting its north-south span.
  • Here's something cool: Home to the University of Notre Dame, founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1842, the diocese's Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a stunning French Gothic treasure with 56 stained-glass windows.
  • Wow moment: Bishop John Noll started Our Sunday Visitor in 1912 from his Fort Wayne desk—it grew into the world's largest Catholic publisher, mailing millions of papers weekly!
  • Little-known gem: The diocese leads U.S. dioceses in priestly vocations per capita, ordaining 8 priests in 2023 alone, thanks to vibrant programs like the Quo Vadis Days retreats.
  • Fun fact: Northern Indiana's "Michiana" region features quirky devotions like the annual Solemnity of the Assumption pilgrimage to Our Lady of Hungary in South Bend, drawing thousands.
  • Did you know? The first bishop, John Bazin, rode horseback across 14 counties just months after ordination, building 20 churches before his early death at age 44—a true frontier hero!
  • Surprise! St. Vincent de Paul stores here aren't just thrift shops—they fund over $2 million in aid yearly, turning donated treasures into life-changing help for families.

    • Dynamic content

    Associated saints

    No saints yet.

    Religious orders

    No religious orderes categorized yet.

    Diocesan photos

    No results

    References

    1. ↑ "Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dfwsb.html. 
    2. ↑ "Diocese History". https://www.diocesefwsb.org/about-us/history. 
    3. ↑ "Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dfwsb.html. 
    4. ↑ "About the Diocese". https://www.diocesefwsb.org/about-us/about-the-diocese. 
    5. ↑ "Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception". https://www.diocesefwsb.org/cathedral-immaculate-conception. 
    6. ↑ "St. Matthew Cathedral". https://www.diocesefwsb.org/st-matthew-cathedral. 
    7. ↑ "Bishop Rhoades". https://www.diocesefwsb.org/bishop-rhoades. 
    8. ↑ "K. C. Rhoades". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bRhoadeskc.html. 
    9. ↑ "R. J. McClory". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bMcClory.html. 
    10. ↑ "Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dfwsb.html. 
    11. ↑ "Past Bishops". https://www.diocesefwsb.org/about-us/bishops. 
    12. ↑ "Latin Mass Directory". https://www.diocesefwsb.org/offices/worship/latin-mass. 
    13. ↑ "Respect Life". https://todayscatholic.org/respect-life/. 
    14. ↑ "Diocesan Statistics". https://www.diocesefwsb.org/about-us/about-the-diocese. 
    15. ↑ "Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dfwsb.html. 
    16. ↑ "Congregation of Holy Cross". https://holyCrossusa.org/. 
    17. ↑ "Poor Handmaids". https://poorhandmaids.org/. 
    18. ↑ "Franciscan Sisters". https://fssh.net/. 
    19. ↑ "Parish Finder". https://www.diocesefwsb.org/parishfinder. 
    20. ↑ "Catholic Schools". https://www.diocesefwsb.org/offices/education/schools. 
    21. ↑ "Catholic Charities". https://fwcc.org/. 
    22. ↑ "NCYC 2000". https://www.diocesefwsb.org/news/national-catholic-youth-jubilee. 
    23. ↑ "Our Sunday Visitor". https://www.osvnews.com/. 

    External Links

    Retrieved from "https://dev.saintapedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diocese_of_Fort_Wayne–South_Bend&oldid=22972"