Diocese of Spokane

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The Diocese of Spokane, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese in the United States serving eastern Washington. Established on June 2, 1914, by Pope Pius X, it was carved from the Diocese of Seattle to address the needs of a growing Catholic population in the region's mining and agricultural communities. Led by Bishop Thomas A. Daly since 2015, it forms part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Seattle and oversees 82 parishes across 20 counties, with a notable commitment to Catholic education and Native American ministries, including the Coeur d'Alene and Yakama Nations.

Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Spokane

Diocese: Diocese of Spokane
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of Seattle
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Seattle
Country:United States
Region:Washington
Bishop:Thomas A. Daly
Website:https://www.dioceseofspokane.org/
Newspaper:https://spokane.catholic/
Catholic %:10.0%
Elementary Schools:24
High Schools:5
Deaneries:12
Priests:118
Existence:1914–
Predecessor Dioceses:Diocese of Seattle
Catholic Hospitals:3
Rating:4.0
Chancery Address:211 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201-0406

Establishment

The Diocese of Spokane was canonically erected on June 2, 1914, by Pope Pius X through the apostolic constitution Singulari as a suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Seattle. It was formed from the eastern portion of the Diocese of Seattle to better serve the expanding Catholic communities in Washington's inland empire, fueled by railroad development, mining, and farming.[1][2]

History

The diocese's early years were marked by rapid growth amid frontier challenges, with Bishop Augustine Schinner overseeing the construction of numerous churches and schools. Boundary adjustments occurred in 1945 when Yakima was established as a separate diocese, and further refinements followed in 1952 with the creation of the Diocese of Yakima.[3] In the late 20th century, it faced the national clergy abuse crisis, leading to significant settlements and reforms under Bishops Skylstad and Daly. The diocese has emphasized evangelization among Native American tribes and Hispanic immigrants.

Geography

The Diocese of Spokane encompasses 20 counties in eastern Washington, covering approximately 70,000 square miles (181,000 km²):

  • Adams
  • Asotin
  • Benton
  • Chelan
  • Columbia
  • Douglas
  • Ferry
  • Franklin
  • Garfield
  • Grant
  • Kittitas
  • Klickitat
  • Lincoln
  • Okanogan
  • Pend Oreille
  • Spokane
  • Stevens
  • Walla Walla
  • Whitman
  • Yakima

It is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Seattle.[4]

Mother church

Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane serves as the mother church. Completed in 1923 in Romanesque Revival style with French Gothic elements, it features stunning stained glass and a prominent dome, and was elevated to cathedral status upon the diocese's founding.[5]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Bishop Thomas A. Daly, installed on June 17, 2015, previously served as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington. He has prioritized priestly formation, pro-life initiatives, and synodal listening.[6]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Augustine Francis Schinner 1914–1926 First bishop; built infrastructure.
Mathias Clement Frawley 1928–1936 Focused on education and charities.
Charles Daniel White 1936–1955 Expanded schools; died in office.
Bernard James Topel 1955–1978 Oversaw post-WWII growth; retired.
Lawrence Hollier Welsh 1978–1990 Promoted ecumenism; retired.
William Stephen Skylstad 1990–2009 President of USCCB (2004–2007); retired.
Michael Patrick Jackels (Apostolic Administrator) 2009–2011 Served temporarily.
Roy M. Steiner (Apostolic Administrator) 2011–2015 Auxiliary bishop; administered see.

According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[7]

Theological and Cultural Orientation

The diocese rates as somewhat conservative (4.0), with weekly Traditional Latin Masses in several parishes including the cathedral, a strong emphasis on pro-life and marriage teachings through annual marches and diocesan programs, and Bishop Daly's public advocacy for doctrinal fidelity alongside social services for the vulnerable.[8][9]

Statistics

As of 2023, the diocese covers 70,299 square miles (182,072 km²), serves 98,383 Catholics (10% of total population of 1,013,000) across 82 parishes and 12 deaneries, with 118 priests, 68 deacons, and 512 religious.[10][11]

Religious Communities

Jesuits

The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) staff Gonzaga University and several parishes, focusing on higher education and retreats. Spokane, WA.[12] Jesuits West Province

Benedictine Sisters

The Benedictine Sisters of St. Joseph operate Mount St. Michael Scholasticate and support parishes. Spokane, WA.[13]

Sisters of Providence

The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods manage healthcare and education ministries. Spokane, WA.[14]

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in the Diocese of Spokane
Diocese of Spokane

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No results The diocese includes 82 parishes organized into 12 deaneries, serving urban, rural, and Native American communities with Masses in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Notable sites include historic missions like St. Mary's in Yakima.[15]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The diocese supports 24 elementary/middle schools and 5 high schools, educating over 5,000 students.

School Name City Type Website
Assumption Catholic School Spokane Elementary https://assumptioncatholicschool.org/
Cataldo Catholic School Spokane Elementary https://cataldo.spokaneschools.org/
Gonzaga Preparatory School Spokane High School https://www.gprep.com/
Holy Family Catholic School Spokane Elementary https://holyfamilycatholicschool.org/
Gonzaga University Spokane University https://www.gonzaga.edu/
St. Aloysius Catholic School Spokane Elementary https://staloysius.spokaneschools.org/
St. Charles Catholic School Pasco Elementary https://stcharlespasco.org/
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School Richland Elementary https://saintfrancisschool.org/
St. George Catholic School Yakima Elementary https://stgeorgeyakima.org/school
St. Joseph Catholic School Walla Walla Elementary https://stjoeschoolww.org/

[16]

Main article: List of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Spokane

Community Outreach

Catholic Charities Eastern Washington serves over 20,000 people annually with food, housing, and refugee services across 20 counties.[17]

Notable Events or Figures

  • Bishop William Skylstad served as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2004–2007, leading during the abuse crisis reforms.[18]
  • The 1922 Eucharistic Congress in Spokane drew 50,000 pilgrims, highlighting the diocese's early missionary zeal.[19]
  • Gonzaga University, founded by Jesuits in 1887, produced NBA star John Stockton and hosts the annual Catholic Press Awards.

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Spokane:


  • Did you know? Pope Pius X created the Diocese of Spokane in 1914 from the vast Seattle diocese, entrusting it to Bishop Augustine Schinner, who built 40 churches despite harsh winters and frontier hardships!
  • Surprise! The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes boasts a replica of the Lourdes Grotto, where countless pilgrims pray, echoing the French shrine's miracles right in Spokane.
  • Here's something cool: Gonzaga University, the diocese's Jesuit powerhouse, has won national basketball fame and educates future saints with its strong Catholic identity since 1887.
  • Wow moment: The diocese spans 20 counties bigger than some states, serving apple orchards in Yakima and wheat fields in the Palouse, with missions dating to 1840s French Jesuits.
  • Little-known gem: Bishop Daly, a Philadelphia native, brought his love for cheesesteaks but quickly embraced Spokane's outdoors, leading annual pro-life pilgrimages to the cathedral.
  • Fun fact: St. Mary's Mission in Omak, built in 1886, is the oldest Catholic church in Washington east of the Cascades, a log-cabin treasure for Native and settler faithful.
  • Did you know? The Inland Catholic Register, the diocese's newspaper since 1894, is one of the oldest in the U.S., sharing stories of faith from the Rockies to the Columbia River.
  • Surprise! Every summer, the diocese hosts the massive St. Patrick’s Day parade in Spokane—wait, no, actually its vibrant Hispanic festivals draw thousands for Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations!

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    References

    1. ↑ "Diocese of Spokane". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dspok.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    2. ↑ "Diocese History". https://www.dioceseofspokane.org/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    3. ↑ "Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Spokane. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    4. ↑ "Territory Map". https://www.dioceseofspokane.org/about/territory-map. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    5. ↑ "Cathedral History". https://www.lourdescathedral.org/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    6. ↑ "Bishop Thomas A. Daly". https://www.dioceseofspokane.org/bishop-daly. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    7. ↑ "Diocese of Spokane". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dspok.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    8. ↑ "Traditional Latin Mass". https://www.dioceseofspokane.org/worship/liturgy/traditional-latin-mass. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    9. ↑ "Respect Life". https://spokane.catholic/news/local/respect-life. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    10. ↑ "Diocese of Spokane". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dspok.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    11. ↑ "Diocesan Statistics". https://www.dioceseofspokane.org/about/statistics. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    12. ↑ "Jesuit Mission". https://www.gonzaga.edu/about/jesuit. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    13. ↑ "Benedictine Sisters". https://www.benedictinesisters.org/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    14. ↑ "Sisters of Providence". https://www.spsmw.org/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    15. ↑ "Parish Directory". https://www.dioceseofspokane.org/parishes. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    16. ↑ "Catholic Schools". https://www.dioceseofspokane.org/schools. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    17. ↑ "Catholic Charities". https://catholiccharitiescw.org/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    18. ↑ "Bishop William Skylstad". https://www.usccb.org/about/former-leadership/bishop-william-skylstad. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    19. ↑ "Diocese History". https://www.dioceseofspokane.org/history. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 

    External Links

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