Diocese of Stockton
The Diocese of Stockton, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese encompassing the counties of Alpine, Calaveras, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne in the Central Valley and Mother Lode region of California, United States.** Established on January 13, 1962, by Pope John XXIII, it was formed from territories of the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Sacramento. It is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of San Francisco and is led by Bishop Myron Joseph Cotta, appointed in 2018. The diocese serves a diverse Catholic community, including a significant Hispanic population, through 35 parishes and 14 missions, reflecting the Church's mission to proclaim the Gospel in a region rich in agricultural and cultural heritage.
Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Stockton
| Diocese: Diocese of Stockton | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Suffragan diocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of San Francisco |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | Archdiocese of San Francisco |
| Country: | United States |
| Region: | California |
| Bishop: | Myron Joseph Cotta |
| Website: | https://stocktondiocese.org/ |
| Catholic %: | 16.0% |
| Elementary Schools: | 11 |
| High Schools: | 2 |
| Deaneries: | 8 |
| Priests: | 86 |
| Existence: | 1962– |
| Predecessor Dioceses: | Archdiocese of San Francisco; Diocese of Sacramento |
| Rating: | 3.5 |
| Chancery Address: | 212 N. San Joaquin St., Stockton, CA 95202 |
Establishment
The Diocese of Stockton was erected on January 13, 1962, by Pope John XXIII. It took territory from the Archdiocese of San Francisco (San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties) and the Diocese of Sacramento (Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Mono Counties), with Alpine County added in 1966. Auxiliary Bishop Hugh Aloysius Donohoe of San Francisco was appointed as its first bishop.
History
The diocese was created to serve the growing Catholic population in California's Central Valley. Early bishops focused on building infrastructure and addressing the needs of migrant workers and diverse ethnic communities. Bishop Roger Michael Mahony (1980–1985) later became Archbishop of Los Angeles and a cardinal. The diocese has faced challenges, including bankruptcy proceedings related to past clergy abuse cases resolved in the 2010s. Bishop Myron Joseph Cotta has led since 2018, emphasizing pastoral care and evangelization.
Geography
The Diocese of Stockton covers six counties in California: Alpine, Calaveras, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne. It spans approximately 6,178 square miles (15,995 km²), serving both urban areas in the San Joaquin Valley and more rural mountainous regions. It forms part of the Ecclesiastical Province of San Francisco.
Mother Church
The Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton serves as the mother church of the diocese. It was selected as the cathedral due to its capacity and beauty shortly after the diocese's erection.
Leadership
Current Bishop
The Most Reverend Myron Joseph Cotta has served as Bishop of Stockton since his installation on March 15, 2018. Appointed by Pope Francis, he previously served as an auxiliary bishop in Sacramento.
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hugh Aloysius Donohoe | 1962–1969 | First Bishop; appointed Bishop of Fresno |
| Merlin Joseph Guilfoyle | 1969–1979 | Resigned |
| Roger Michael Mahony | 1980–1985 | Appointed Archbishop of Los Angeles (later Cardinal) |
| Donald William Montrose | 1985–1999 | Resigned |
| Stephen Edward Blaire | 1999–2018 | Retired |
| Myron Joseph Cotta | 2018–present | Current Bishop |
According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.
Theological and Cultural Orientation
The diocese maintains a balanced orientation (rating approximately 3.5), with standard liturgical practices in the Novus Ordo alongside attention to cultural diversity, including Masses in multiple languages. Leadership emphasizes pastoral outreach to Hispanic, Filipino, and other communities while upholding Church teachings.
Statistics
The diocese covers 6,178 square miles and serves approximately 233,000 registered Catholics (about 16% of the total population) across 35 parishes and 14 missions, with 86 priests as of recent data.
Religious Communities
Various religious orders and communities serve in education, healthcare, and parish ministry within the diocese.
Parishes
| Diocese of Stockton |
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
The diocese includes 35 parishes organized into eight deaneries, reflecting its diverse geographic and cultural makeup.
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
The diocese operates two high schools (Central Catholic High School in Modesto and St. Mary's High School in Stockton) and several elementary/middle schools, including Annunciation School and others serving local communities.
Community Outreach
Catholic Charities Diocese of Stockton provides essential services to the poor and vulnerable, consistent with the Church's social teaching.
Notable Events or Figures
- The diocese has a strong devotion to Our Lady of the Annunciation, its patroness.
- It serves a large Hispanic Catholic population and migrant communities in the agricultural region.
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Associated saints
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Religious orders
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Diocesan photos
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