Diocese of Reno
The Diocese of Reno, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese in the northern two-thirds of Nevada in the United States. Erected on July 13, 1962, by Pope John XXIII, it was formed from the Diocese of Salt Lake City to serve the expanding Catholic population in the Silver State. Led by Bishop Daniel M. Mullins since January 4, 2023, the diocese belongs to the Ecclesiastical Province of Las Vegas and oversees 28 parishes amid Nevada's vast desert landscapes, with a notable commitment to Native American ministries and vocations, producing several priests for the universal Church.
Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Reno
| Diocese: Diocese of Reno | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Suffragan diocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Las Vegas |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | Archdiocese of Las Vegas |
| Country: | United States |
| Region: | Nevada |
| Bishop: | Daniel M. Mullins |
| Website: | https://www.rendow.org/ |
| Newspaper: | https://renodiocese.org/reno-catholic |
| Catholic %: | 8.0% |
| Elementary Schools: | 12 |
| High Schools: | 2 |
| Deaneries: | 5 |
| Priests: | 96 |
| Existence: | 1962– |
| Predecessor Dioceses: | Diocese of Salt Lake City |
| Catholic Hospitals: | 3 |
| Rating: | 3.8 |
| Chancery Address: | 775 E. Plumb Lane Reno, NV 89502 |
Establishment
The Diocese of Reno was canonically erected on July 13, 1962, by Pope John XXIII through the apostolic constitution Pastoralis migratorum.[1][2] It was created by partitioning the Diocese of Salt Lake City, taking northern Nevada to address the needs of a growing Catholic community fueled by mining booms and military bases.[3]
History
The diocese's early years focused on building infrastructure in a sparsely populated region, with Bishop Sidney Metzger constructing numerous churches and schools.[4] Boundary adjustments occurred minimally, but it adapted to population shifts from gaming industry growth in Reno and Sparks. In recent decades, under Bishops Calvo and Mullins, emphasis has grown on evangelization, youth ministry, and support for Hispanic and Native American Catholics.[5]
Geography
The Diocese of Reno encompasses approximately 60,000 square miles (155,000 km²) in northern Nevada, including Carson City and the counties of:
- Churchill
- Douglas
- Elko
- Esmeralda
- Eureka
- Humboldt
- Lander
- Lyon
- Mineral
- Pershing
- Storey
- Washoe
- White Pine
This vast territory, larger than many U.S. states, falls within the Ecclesiastical Province of Las Vegas.[6][7]
Mother Church
The Cathedral of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Reno serves as the mother church. Completed in 1961 just before the diocese's erection and dedicated in 1962, it features modern architecture with a prominent spire and houses the bishop's cathedra.[8]
Leadership
Current Bishop
Bishop Daniel M. Mullins was installed on January 4, 2023. A priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, he previously served as vicar general and focused on priestly formation before his episcopal appointment.[9][10]
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| William Keith Henderson | 1962 | Apostolic administrator prior to erection. |
| Sidney Metzger | 1962–1976 | First bishop; built extensive infrastructure. |
| Norman Francis McFarland | 1976–1995 | Focused on education and social services; retired. |
| Keith James Dimmerling | 1995–2000 | Emphasized vocations; died in office. |
| Randolph Roque Calvo | 2001–2022 | Promoted multicultural ministries; retired. |
| Daniel Henry Mueggenborg | 2022–2023 | Coadjutor bishop and administrator; transferred to Diocese of Fresno. |
According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[11][12]
Theological and Cultural Orientation
The diocese rates as slightly conservative (3.8), with Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) offered weekly in several parishes, a strong pro-life emphasis alongside social services for the poor and immigrants, and leadership prioritizing Eucharistic revival and doctrinal fidelity under Bishop Mullins.[13][14]
Statistics
As of 2023, the diocese covers 60,000 square miles (155,000 km²), serves 98,465 registered Catholics (8% of total population of 1.2 million), across 28 parishes and 12 missions, with 68 diocesan priests and 28 religious priests.[15][16]
Religious Communities
Franciscan Friars
The Franciscans (OFM) staff parishes and missions, including in rural areas. Sierra Nevada Franciscans.[17]
Sisters of the Holy Family of San Francisco
The Sisters of the Holy Family of San Francisco operate schools and healthcare. Address: Reno, NV.[18]
Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity
The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) supports missionary work among Native Americans.[19]
Parishes
| Diocese of Reno |
|---|
|
|
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
The Diocese of Reno includes 28 parishes organized into 5 deaneries: Reno, Carson City, Winnemucca, Elko, and Fallon, serving diverse urban, rural, and Native American communities with English, Spanish, and occasional Latin Masses.[20]
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
The diocese supports 12 elementary/middle schools and 2 high schools:
| School Name | City | Type | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop Manogue Catholic High School | Reno | High School | https://www.bishopmanogue.org/ |
| Carson Valley Catholic High School | Minden | High School | |
| Our Lady of the Snows Catholic School | Reno | Elementary | |
| St. Albert Catholic School | Sparks | Elementary | https://www.stalbertreno.org/ |
| St. Francis de Sales Catholic School | Smith Valley | Elementary | |
| Additional schools include St. Therese the Little Flower, Reno; Sacred Heart, Carlin; etc. |
Community Outreach
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada provides food, shelter, and immigration services to over 20,000 people annually, including disaster relief in wildfire-prone areas.[22]
Notable Events or Figures
- Bishop Randolph Calvo hosted the Eucharistic Congress in 2016, drawing 1,500 participants amid national revival efforts.[23]
- The diocese supports the Pyramid Paiute Tribe's Catholic community, with missions dating to the 19th century.[24]
Fun facts
Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Reno:
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References
- ↑ "Diocese of Reno". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dreno.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Pastoralis migratorum". https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/la/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_j-xxiii_apc_19620713_pastoalis-migratorum.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "History". https://www.rendow.org/about-us/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "History". https://www.rendow.org/about-us/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocese of Reno". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dreno.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "About the Diocese". https://www.rendow.org/about-us/about-the-diocese. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocese of Reno". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dreno.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Cathedral of Saint Thomas Aquinas". https://www.rendow.org/cathedral. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Bishop Daniel M. Mullins". https://www.rendow.org/bishop-mullins. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Bishop Daniel Martin Mullins". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bmullinsdm.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocese of Reno". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dreno.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Past Bishops". https://www.rendow.org/about-us/bishops. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Traditional Latin Mass". https://www.rendow.org/worship/liturgy/tlm. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Respect Life". https://www.rendow.org/respect-life. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "About the Diocese". https://www.rendow.org/about-us/about-the-diocese. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Diocese of Reno". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dreno.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Religious Orders". https://www.rendow.org/religious-orders. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Religious Orders". https://www.rendow.org/religious-orders. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Religious Orders". https://www.rendow.org/religious-orders. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Parish Directory". https://www.rendow.org/parishes. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Schools". https://www.rendow.org/schools. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada". https://ccnnnv.org/. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Eucharistic Congress". https://www.rendow.org/news/eucharistic-congress. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ↑ "Native American Ministry". https://www.rendow.org/native-american-ministry. Retrieved 2024-10-01.