Diocese of Great Falls–Billings

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The Diocese of Great Falls–Billings, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese covering the eastern portion of Montana in the United States. Established on February 18, 1934, by Pope Pius XI as the Diocese of Great Falls and renamed in 1987, it is led by Bishop Jeffrey D. Fleming since 2020.[1] As part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Seattle, it serves approximately 52,000 Catholics across 37 counties in a vast rural area of over 92,000 square miles, with a notable emphasis on ministries to Native American communities, including the Blackfeet and Crow tribes.[2] Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Great Falls–Billings

Diocese: Diocese of Great Falls–Billings
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of Seattle
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Seattle
Country:United States
Region:Montana
Bishop:Jeffrey D. Fleming
Website:https://gfbdiocese.org/
Newspaper:https://montanacatholic.org/
Catholic %:4.2%
Elementary Schools:12
High Schools:3
Deaneries:6
Priests:52
Existence:1934–
Predecessor Dioceses:Diocese of Great Falls
Catholic Hospitals:3
Rating:4.0
Chancery Address:900 1st Avenue North

Great Falls, MT 59401

United States

Establishment

The Diocese of Great Falls–Billings was canonically erected on February 18, 1934, by Pope Pius XI through the apostolic constitution Ad regnum Dei propagandum, separating it from the Diocese of Helena. It was initially named the Diocese of Great Falls to serve the growing Catholic population in central and eastern Montana amid expanding ranching and rail industries.[3][4] The name was changed to Diocese of Great Falls–Billings on February 18, 1987, by Pope John Paul II to reflect its expanded territory including Billings.[5]

History

Early Years

The diocese began as a missionary territory carved from Helena, with Bishop Edwin V. O'Hara promoting catechetical programs and rural parishes amid the Great Depression. Boundary adjustments occurred in 1949 and 1952, incorporating additional counties.[6]

Modern Era

Renaming in 1987 under Bishop Anthony J. O'Connell highlighted Billings' growth. Recent decades focused on vocations and Native American evangelization, with Bishop Michael W. Warfel establishing new missions.[7]

Geography

The diocese encompasses 37 counties in central and eastern Montana, east of the Continental Divide:

  • Big Horn
  • Blaine
  • Carbon
  • Carter
  • Cascade
  • Chouteau
  • Daniels
  • Dawson
  • Fallon
  • Fergus
  • Garfield
  • Glacier
  • Golden Valley
  • Hill
  • Judith Basin
  • Liberty
  • McCone
  • Musselshell
  • Petroleum
  • Phillips
  • Pondera
  • Powder River
  • Prairie
  • Richland
  • Roosevelt
  • Rosebud
  • Sheridan
  • Stillwater
  • Sweet Grass
  • Teton
  • Toole
  • Treasure
  • Valley
  • Wheatland
  • Wibaux
  • Yellowstone

It forms a suffragan in the Ecclesiastical Province of Seattle.[8]

Mother church

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Great Falls, Montana, constructed in 1906 in Romanesque Revival style, serves as the diocese's mother church and seat of the bishop.[9]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Bishop Jeffrey D. Fleming, appointed by Pope Francis on December 18, 2019, and installed on April 8, 2020, previously served as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He emphasizes priestly formation and rural ministry.[10][11]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Edwin V. O'Hara 1930–1956 First bishop; founded Confraternity of Christian Doctrine nationally.
Joseph M. Gilmore 1957–1962 Died in office.
Elden Francis Curtiss 1967–1974 Transferred to become auxiliary bishop of Omaha.
Thomas Joseph Murphy 1978–1984 Transferred to Archdiocese of Seattle.
Anthony John O'Connell 1988–1997 Resigned; oversaw renaming to Great Falls–Billings.
Robert C. Morlino 1999–2003 Transferred to Diocese of Madison.
Michael Warfel 2007–2020 Retired.
Jeffrey D. Fleming 2020–present Current bishop.

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

Theological and Cultural Orientation

The diocese rates as somewhat conservative (4.0), with Traditional Latin Mass offered weekly in several parishes including the cathedral, a strong emphasis on pro-life initiatives and traditional marriage teachings alongside rural social services, and leadership under Bishop Fleming prioritizing Eucharistic devotion and orthodoxy.[13][14]

Statistics

The diocese covers 92,509 square miles (239,600 km²), with 52,000 registered Catholics (4.2% of total population of 1.24 million) across 44 parishes and 6 deaneries as of 2021.[15][16]

Religious Communities

Franciscan Sisters of Great Falls

The Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Great Falls provide education and healthcare, staffing schools like Ursuline Academy. Address: 2200 Montana Ave, Billings, MT 59102.[17] Ursuline Sisters

Poor Clare Nuns

The Poor Clare Monastery of St. Clare in Great Falls focuses on contemplative prayer and adoration. Address: 1717 27th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405.[18]

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in the Diocese of Great Falls–Billings
Diocese of Great Falls–Billings

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This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

No results The diocese includes 44 parishes organized into 6 deaneries: Billings, Great Falls, Havre, Lewistown, Miles City, and Wolf Point, serving diverse rural, urban, and Native American communities with English and occasional Spanish Masses.[19]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The diocese supports 12 elementary/middle schools and 3 high schools:

School Name City Type Website
Billings Central Catholic High School Billings High School https://www.billingscatholic.com/
Central Catholic High School Billings High School https://billingscchs.com/
Great Falls Central Catholic High School Great Falls High School https://gfcentralcatholic.org/
Holy Family School Billings Elementary https://holyfamilyschoolbillings.org/
Our Lady of Lourdes School Great Falls Elementary https://ollgreatfalls.org/school
St. Jude Thaddeus School Lewistown Elementary
St. Mary's School Billings Elementary
St. Pius X School Great Falls Elementary
Seton School Great Falls Elementary https://setonschoolgf.org/
Ursuline Academy Billings Elementary/High https://ursulineacademy.org/
Victory Baptist School No Elementary
Other schools as listed in directory Various Elementary

For a complete list, see List of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Great Falls–Billings.[20][21]

Community Outreach

Catholic Charities of Great Falls–Billings provides food, shelter, and family services to over 10,000 individuals annually, including refugee resettlement and pregnancy support.[22]

Notable Events or Figures

  • Bishop Edwin V. O'Hara, first bishop, developed the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine used nationwide.[23]
  • In 1993, the diocese hosted a Eucharistic Congress drawing 5,000 faithful amid rural challenges.[24]
  • Bishop Robert C. Morlino, later of Madison, promoted pro-life marches during his tenure.[25]

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Great Falls–Billings:


  • Did you know? Carved from the vast Diocese of Helena in 1934 by Pope Pius XI, this diocese covers over 92,000 square miles—making it one of the largest in the U.S. by land area, bigger than many states!
  • Surprise! The first bishop, Edwin V. O'Hara, invented the modern CCD program for religious education, now used in parishes worldwide to teach kids the faith.
  • Here's something cool: The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in Great Falls, built in 1906, features stunning stained glass windows depicting Montana's pioneer saints and history.
  • Wow moment: The diocese ministers to 15 Native American tribes, including the Crow and Blackfeet, with missions like St. Labre Indian School, a beacon of faith since 1884.
  • Fun fact: Billings Central Catholic High School has won multiple state sports championships, showing Catholic grit on the field!
  • Little-known gem: In the 1980s, the diocese renamed to include Billings, reflecting the city's boom from oil and ranching—now home to a thriving co-cathedral community.
  • Did you know? Bishop Jeffrey Fleming, a Milwaukee native, brings Big Sky enthusiasm, promoting "cowboy Masses" with country music to reach ranchers.
  • Surprise! The Poor Clares in Great Falls keep perpetual adoration, praying non-stop for the diocese's ranchers and oil workers since 1960.

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    References

    1. ↑ "Diocese of Great Falls-Billings". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dgfbi.html. 
    2. ↑ "About Us". https://gfbdiocese.org/about-us. 
    3. ↑ "Diocese of Great Falls-Billings". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dgfbi.html. 
    4. ↑ "Diocese History". https://gfbdiocese.org/history. 
    5. ↑ "Apostolic Letter for the Renaming". https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1987/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_19870218_great-falls-billings.html. 
    6. ↑ "Diocese History". https://gfbdiocese.org/history. 
    7. ↑ "Diocese of Great Falls-Billings". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dgfbi.html. 
    8. ↑ "Diocesan Map". https://gfbdiocese.org/about-us/map. 
    9. ↑ "Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary". https://gfbdiocese.org/cathedral. 
    10. ↑ "Bishop Jeffrey D. Fleming". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bflemingj.html. 
    11. ↑ "Bishop Jeffrey Fleming". https://gfbdiocese.org/bishop-fleming. 
    12. ↑ "Diocese of Great Falls-Billings". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dgfbi.html. 
    13. ↑ "Liturgy and Worship". https://gfbdiocese.org/worship/liturgy. 
    14. ↑ "Respect Life". https://gfbdiocese.org/respect-life. 
    15. ↑ "Diocese of Great Falls-Billings". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dgfbi.html. 
    16. ↑ "Diocesan Statistics". https://gfbdiocese.org/about-us/statistics. 
    17. ↑ "Religious Orders". https://gfbdiocese.org/religious-orders. 
    18. ↑ "Religious Orders". https://gfbdiocese.org/religious-orders. 
    19. ↑ "Parish Directory". https://gfbdiocese.org/parishes. 
    20. ↑ "Schools". https://gfbdiocese.org/schools. 
    21. ↑ "National Catholic Educational Association". https://ncea.org/. 
    22. ↑ "Catholic Charities". https://ccfb.org/. 
    23. ↑ "Diocese History". https://gfbdiocese.org/history. 
    24. ↑ "Archives". https://montanacatholic.org/archives. 
    25. ↑ "Bishop Robert C. Morlino". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bmorlino.html. 

    External Links

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