Diocese of Prince George
The Diocese of Prince George, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese in northern British Columbia, Canada. Established in 1967 by Pope Paul VI, it serves a vast territory with a small but dedicated Catholic population. As part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Vancouver, the diocese focuses on pastoral care across remote communities and maintains Sacred Heart Cathedral as its mother church. A notable aspect is its emphasis on serving Indigenous peoples and rural parishes in a region marked by challenging geography.
Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Prince George
| Diocese: Diocese of Prince George | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Suffragan diocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Vancouver |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | Archdiocese of Vancouver |
| Country: | Canada |
| Region: | British Columbia |
| Bishop: | Stephen Jensen |
| Website: | https://pgdiocese.bc.ca/ |
| Catholic %: | 15.0% |
| Elementary Schools: | 5 |
| High Schools: | 1 |
| Deaneries: | 3 |
| Priests: | 25 |
| Existence: | 1967– |
| Catholic Hospitals: | 1 |
| Rating: | 3.5 |
| Chancery Address: | 1685 Patricia Boulevard
Prince George, BC V2L 3C9 Canada |
Establishment
The Diocese of Prince George was established on 23 June 1967 by Pope Paul VI from territory previously part of the Diocese of Prince Rupert and the Archdiocese of Vancouver to better serve the growing needs of Catholics in northern British Columbia.
History
The diocese developed from missionary efforts in the early twentieth century. Key milestones include the construction of parishes in remote areas and adaptation to the region's resource-based economy. Boundary adjustments occurred in later decades to align with civil administrative changes.
Geography
The diocese covers a large portion of northern British Columbia, including the following administrative subdivisions:
- Regional District of Fraser-Fort George
- Regional District of Peace River
- Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako
- Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (partial)
- Regional District of Cariboo (partial)
It forms part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Vancouver.
Mother Church
Sacred Heart Cathedral in Prince George serves as the mother church, a modern structure dedicated in 1969 that replaced earlier church buildings.
Leadership
Current Bishop
Stephen Jensen has served as bishop since 2013. A native of British Columbia, he previously served as a priest in the Archdiocese of Vancouver before his appointment.
Auxiliary Bishops
No auxiliary bishops currently serve in the diocese.
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fergus O'Grady OMI | 1967–1986 | First Bishop of Prince George; founded many missions. |
| Hubert O'Connor OMI | 1986–1991 | Transferred to the Diocese of Kamloops. |
| Gerald Wiesner OMI | 1992–2012 | Oversaw pastoral initiatives; retired. |
| Stephen Jensen | 2013–present | Current Bishop. |
Theological and Cultural Orientation
The diocese maintains a balanced orientation (rating: 3.5), with standard liturgical practices including occasional traditional elements, equal attention to doctrinal teachings and community outreach programs, and leadership focused on practical pastoral needs in a rural setting.
Statistics
The diocese covers approximately 238,000 square miles (616,000 km²), serves around 50,000 registered Catholics across 40 parishes and missions, and has a total population of approximately 330,000.
Religious Communities
Oblates of Mary Immaculate
The Oblates of Mary Immaculate have historically provided missionary service and continue limited parish ministry.
Parishes
| Diocese of Prince George |
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
The diocese encompasses parishes spread across northern British Columbia, many serving small and isolated communities.
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
The diocese operates several Catholic schools focused on elementary and secondary education in Prince George and surrounding areas.
Community Outreach
Catholic Charities and diocesan programs provide support for families, the poor, and Indigenous communities throughout the territory.
Notable Events or Figures
- Bishop Fergus O'Grady established numerous missions and schools during the diocese's formative years.
Fun facts
Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Prince George:
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Associated saints
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Religious orders
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Diocesan photos
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