Diocese of Little Rock

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The Diocese of Little Rock, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese encompassing the entire state of Arkansas in the United States. Founded on July 28, 1843, by Pope Gregory XVI, it is led by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor since his installation on April 5, 2008. As part of the Ecclesiastical Province of New Orleans, the diocese serves approximately 110,000 Catholics across 75 counties through 68 parishes and 19 missions, notable for its diverse immigrant communities and commitment to evangelization in a predominantly Protestant region.

Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Little Rock

Diocese: Diocese of Little Rock
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of New Orleans
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of New Orleans
Country:United States
Region:Arkansas
Bishop:Anthony B. Taylor
Website:https://dolr.org/
Newspaper:https://dolr.org/arkansas-catholic
Catholic %:3.4%
Elementary Schools:26
High Schools:9
Deaneries:12
Priests:118
Existence:1843–
Catholic Hospitals:3
Rating:3.2
Chancery Address:2500 North Tyler Street Little Rock, AR 72207-3698

Establishment

The Diocese of Little Rock was canonically erected on July 28, 1843, by Pope Gregory XVI through the apostolic brief Ad dominici gregis curam, carved out from the Diocese of New Orleans to serve the Catholic population in the Arkansas Territory amid growing immigration and missionary efforts.[1][2]

History

The diocese's early years were marked by frontier challenges, including the Civil War, which devastated churches and missions. Under Bishop Andrew Byrne, the first ordinary, infrastructure expanded with the construction of St. Andrew Cathedral in 1845–1852, though it was destroyed by fire in 1893 and rebuilt.[3]

In the 20th century, the diocese grew with industrialization and immigration, establishing schools and hospitals. Boundary changes were minimal, but it adapted to post-Vatican II reforms and recent demographic shifts from Hispanic and Vietnamese Catholics. Significant milestones include hosting the National Catholic Youth Conference planning sessions and responding to natural disasters like tornadoes.[4]

Geography

The Diocese of Little Rock covers all 75 counties of Arkansas, spanning 53,179 square miles (137,732 km²) from the Mississippi River delta in the east to the Ouachita Mountains in the west and the Ozark Mountains in the north. It includes urban centers like Little Rock and rural areas, forming a suffragan in the Ecclesiastical Province of New Orleans.[5][6]

Mother church

St. Andrew Cathedral in Little Rock, rebuilt in Romanesque Revival style after the 1893 fire and rededicated in 1909, serves as the mother church and seat of the bishop. It features notable stained glass windows depicting Arkansas saints and history.[7]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, installed on April 5, 2008, previously served as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. He emphasizes evangelization, immigration ministry, and environmental stewardship in line with Laudato si.[8][9]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Andrew Byrne 1843–1862 First bishop; built early infrastructure.
Edward Mary Fitzgerald 1867–1900 Oversaw post-Civil War recovery; died in office.
John Baptist Morris 1907–1932 Expanded schools and charities; died in office.
John M. McDonald 1932–1956 Promoted Catholic education; retired.
Albert L. Fletcher 1956–1972 Implemented Vatican II changes; first native Arkansan bishop; retired.
Andrew Joseph McDonald 1972–2000 Focused on vocations and unity; retired.
J. Peter Sartain 2000–2007 Emphasized family life; transferred to Archdiocese of Seattle.
Anthony B. Taylor 2008– Current bishop.

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

Theological and cultural orientation

The diocese maintains a balanced orientation (rating: 3.2), with Traditional Latin Mass offered weekly in a few parishes amid predominantly Novus Ordo celebrations; equal emphasis on pro-life initiatives and social justice like immigration aid; and leadership prioritizing doctrinal fidelity alongside outreach to diverse communities.[12][13]

Statistics

As of 2023, the diocese covers 53,179 square miles (137,732 km²), serves 106,887 registered Catholics (3.4% of the total population of 3,128,224), across 68 parishes and 19 missions, with 118 priests, 47 deacons, and 521 religious.[14][15]

Religious Communities

Jesuits

The Jesuits support parish ministry and education, including at Jesuit High School in Little Rock.[16] Jesuits

Daughters of Charity

The Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul operate healthcare at St. Vincent Infirmary.[17]

Franciscan Sisters

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration provide retreats and adoration ministry.[18]

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in Diocese of Little Rock
Diocese of Little Rock
This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)
_pageName City MailingAddress
Assumption (Diocese of Little Rock) Atkins, AR 118 Avenue 3 NE, Atkins, Arkansas 72823
Our Lady of Fatima (Diocese of Little Rock) Benton, AR 900 W Cross St., Benton, Arkansas 72015
Sacred Heart of Mary (Diocese of Little Rock) Barling, AR 1301 Frank St., Barling, Arkansas 72923
St. Anne (Diocese of Little Rock, Berryville) Berryville, AR 614 S Main St., Berryville, Arkansas 72616
St. Bernard of Clairvaux (Diocese of Little Rock) Bella Vista, AR 1 St Bernard Ln., Bella Vista, Arkansas 72715
St. Boniface (Diocese of Little Rock, Bigelow) Bigelow, AR Arkansas River Tr., Bigelow, Arkansas 72016
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Diocese of Little Rock) Ashdown, AR 1910 Rankin, Ashdown, Arkansas 71822
St. Mary (Diocese of Little Rock, Altus) Altus, AR 5118 St Mary’s Ln., Altus, Arkansas 72821
St. Mary (Diocese of Little Rock, Arkadelphia) Arkadelphia, AR 249 N 14th St., Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923
St. Mary (Diocese of Little Rock, Batesville) Batesville, AR 3800 Harrison St., Batesville, Arkansas 72501
St. Richard (Diocese of Little Rock) Bald Knob, AR 101 W Cleveland St., Bald Knob, Arkansas 72010
St. Stephen (Diocese of Little Rock) Bentonville, AR 1300 NE J St., Bentonville, Arkansas 72712

The diocese comprises 68 parishes organized into 12 deaneries, serving urban, rural, and multicultural communities including Hispanic, Vietnamese, and African American Catholics.[19]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The diocese oversees 26 elementary/middle schools and 9 high schools, educating over 6,000 students.

School Name City Type Website
Christ the King School Little Rock Elementary https://ctkschool.org/
Mount St. Mary Academy Little Rock High School https://msmacademy.org/
Subiaco Academy Subiaco High School https://subiacoacademy.org/
Catholic High School Little Rock High School https://chsark.org/
St. John Catholic School North Little Rock Elementary
Immaculate Conception School Jacksonport Elementary
Our Lady of Fatima School Benton Elementary
Pope John Paul II High School Russellville High School https://jp2hs.org/
Sacred Heart School Morrilton Elementary
St. Joseph School Fayetteville Elementary https://sjschoolfville.com/
Additional schools listed at diocesan directory.

For full list, see List of Catholic schools in Diocese of Little Rock.[20][21]

Community Outreach

Catholic Charities of Arkansas provides food, housing, and immigration services to over 20,000 people annually, including disaster relief.[22]

Notable Events or Figures

  • Bishop Edward Fitzgerald established 20 parishes and schools despite Reconstruction-era hardships.[23]
  • In 1957, the diocese integrated schools ahead of national mandates, led by Bishop Albert L. Fletcher.[24]
  • Servant of God James O. Plourde, a missionary priest, served Arkansas for decades and is under canonization investigation.[25]

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Little Rock:


  • Did you know? Pope Gregory XVI established the Diocese of Little Rock in 1843 just months before Arkansas became the 25th state, making it one of the first Catholic footholds in the frontier South!
  • Surprise! The original St. Andrew Cathedral burned down on Christmas Eve 1893 during Midnight Mass, but parishioners rebuilt it stronger, turning tragedy into a testament of faith.
  • Here's something cool: Arkansas has no native saints yet, but Servant of God Fr. James Plourde, who served here for 60 years building missions, is on the path to possible canonization!
  • Wow moment: The diocese spans the entire Natural State, from Delta cotton fields to Ozark peaks, with 68 parishes serving a rainbow of cultures including the largest Vietnamese Catholic community in Arkansas.
  • Little-known gem: Bishop Andrew Byrne, the first ordinary, rode horseback across 50,000 square miles to minister, establishing the cathedral that still stands today.
  • Fun fact: Subiaco Abbey, home to Benedictine monks since 1878, brews its own beer and runs a top boarding school, blending prayer, work, and hospitality in the diocese.
  • Did you know? In 1957, the diocese desegregated its schools voluntarily, years before federal law, showing early commitment to Gospel justice in the Civil Rights era.
  • Surprise! The Arkansas Catholic newspaper, diocesan since 1914, once covered Babe Ruth's visit to a Little Rock game, blending faith and local legends.

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    References

    1. ↑ "Diocese of Little Rock". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dlitro.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    2. ↑ "History". https://dolr.org/who-we-are/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    3. ↑ "Diocese of Little Rock". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Little_Rock#History. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    4. ↑ "History". https://dolr.org/who-we-are/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    5. ↑ "About the Diocese". https://dolr.org/who-we-are/about. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    6. ↑ "Diocese of Little Rock". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dlitro.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    7. ↑ "St. Andrew Cathedral". https://dolr.org/cathedral. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    8. ↑ "Anthony Basil Taylor". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/btaylor.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    9. ↑ "Bishop Taylor". https://dolr.org/bishop. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    10. ↑ "Diocese of Little Rock". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dlitro.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    11. ↑ "Past Bishops". https://dolr.org/who-we-are/bishops. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    12. ↑ "Liturgy and Worship". https://dolr.org/worship/liturgy. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    13. ↑ "Respect Life". https://dolr.org/respect-life. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    14. ↑ "Diocese of Little Rock". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dlitro.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    15. ↑ "Arkansas Catholic Data". https://catholicconference.org/state-data/arkansas/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    16. ↑ "Religious Orders". https://dolr.org/religious-orders. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    17. ↑ "Religious Orders". https://dolr.org/religious-orders. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    18. ↑ "Religious Orders". https://dolr.org/religious-orders. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    19. ↑ "Parish Directory". https://dolr.org/parishes. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    20. ↑ "Schools". https://dolr.org/schools. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    21. ↑ "Find a School". https://www.ncea.org/NCEA/Proclaim/School_Data/Find_a_School/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    22. ↑ "Catholic Charities". https://ccasua.org/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    23. ↑ "History". https://dolr.org/who-we-are/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    24. ↑ "Diocese of Little Rock". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Little_Rock. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    25. ↑ "Servant of God Fr. Plourde". https://dolr.org/plourde. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 

    External Links

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