Diocese of New Ulm
Stored in Cargo: Diocese of New Ulm
| Diocese: Diocese of New Ulm | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Suffragan diocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Saint Paul and Minneapolis |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis |
| Country: | United States |
| Region: | Minnesota |
| Bishop: | Chad William Zielinski |
| Website: | https://www.dnu.org/ |
| Catholic %: | 24.4% |
| Elementary Schools: | 13 |
| High Schools: | 3 |
| Priests: | 32 |
| Existence: | 1957– |
| Predecessor Dioceses: | Archdiocese of Saint Paul |
| Rating: | 3.8 |
| Chancery Address: | 1421 Sixth St. North, New Ulm, MN 56073 |
The Diocese of New Ulm, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese encompassing 15 counties in western Minnesota in the United States. Erected on 18 November 1957 by Pope Pius XII, it serves a predominantly rural Catholic community rooted in German immigrant heritage. It is led by Bishop Chad William Zielinski since his installation on 27 September 2022 and belongs to the Ecclesiastical Province of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. With its Cathedral of the Holy Trinity as the mother church, the diocese upholds the faith amid agricultural landscapes and Area Faith Communities. A notable aspect is its history of strong priestly formation and vibrant parish life shaped by Midwestern Catholic traditions.
Establishment
The Diocese of New Ulm was erected on 18 November 1957 by Pope Pius XII, taking territory from the Archdiocese of Saint Paul to serve the growing Catholic population in western Minnesota. Msgr. Alphonse J. Schladweiler was named the first bishop on 28 November 1957 and installed on 30 January 1958 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.
History
Prior to 1957, the area fell under successive jurisdictions including the Dioceses of Saint Louis, Dubuque, and Saint Paul. The new diocese addressed the needs of rural parishes with strong German Catholic roots. Bishops Schladweiler (1957–1975), Raymond A. Lucker (1975–2000), John C. Nienstedt (2001–2007), and John M. LeVoir (2008–2020) guided the see through post-conciliar developments, parish consolidations into Area Faith Communities, and challenges of declining rural populations. Bishop Chad W. Zielinski, previously of Fairbanks, was appointed the fifth bishop in 2022.
Geography
The diocese spans the following 15 counties in western Minnesota: Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville, Sibley, Swift, and Yellow Medicine. It covers approximately 9,863 square miles (25,535 km²) and is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
Mother Church
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, a Neo-Baroque structure with German influences completed in 1893 (with earlier roots from 1858), serves as the mother church. It features notable interior paintings and was designated the cathedral upon the diocese's erection. It forms part of the Holy Cross Area Faith Community.
Leadership
Current Bishop
Most Reverend Chad William Zielinski has served as bishop since 27 September 2022. A former U.S. Air Force chaplain and bishop of Fairbanks, he brings experience in missionary and rural ministry.
Auxiliary Bishops
None at present.
Past Bishops
According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records:
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alphonse James Schladweiler | 1957–1975 | First Bishop; retired |
| Raymond Alphonse Lucker | 1975–2000 | Retired |
| John Clayton Nienstedt | 2001–2007 | Transferred to Saint Paul and Minneapolis |
| John Marvin LeVoir | 2008–2020 | Retired |
| Chad William Zielinski | 2022– | Current Bishop |
Theological and Cultural Orientation
The diocese maintains a balanced to slightly conservative orientation (rating 3.8), emphasizing doctrinal fidelity, rural parish life, Catholic education, and traditional devotions while addressing contemporary pastoral needs through Area Faith Communities.
Statistics
The diocese covers 9,863 square miles (25,535 km²), serves approximately 42,068 registered Catholics (about 24.4% of the total population of 282,719) across 55 parishes and 19 Area Faith Communities, with 32 assigned priests.
Religious Communities
Various religious communities, including those serving in education and parish ministry, support the diocese. Details are available via the diocesan website.
Parishes
| Diocese of New Ulm |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
The diocese includes 55 parishes organized into Area Faith Communities, reflecting its rural character with many shared pastoral resources.
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
The diocese supports 13 elementary schools and 3 high schools, including New Ulm Area Catholic Schools. Schools foster faith formation across multiple counties.
Community Outreach
Programs address rural needs through Catholic Charities and local initiatives focused on families, youth, and evangelization.
Notable Events or Figures
- First Bishop Alphonse Schladweiler established foundational structures.
- Strong heritage of German Catholic settlement and resilience post-1862 Dakota War.
Associated saints
No saints yet.
Diocesan photos
No results
Fun facts
Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of New Ulm: