Diocese of Youngstown

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The Diocese of Youngstown, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese in northeastern Ohio in the United States. Established on December 21, 1943, by Pope Pius XII, it comprises Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties, serving approximately 290,000 Catholics through 61 parishes organized into 7 deaneries.[1] Led by Bishop David J. Bonnar since his installation on January 12, 2021, the diocese plays a vital role in the Ecclesiastical Province of Cincinnati, noted for its commitment to vocations and pro-life initiatives, including the annual Northern Ohio March for Life that draws thousands.[2]

Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Youngstown

Diocese: Diocese of Youngstown
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of Cincinnati
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Country:United States
Region:Ohio
Bishop:David J. Bonnar
Website:https://youngstowndiocese.org/
Newspaper:https://youngstowndiocese.org/the-catholic-exponent/
Catholic %:10.2%
Elementary Schools:25
High Schools:6
Deaneries:7
Priests:108
Existence:1943–
Predecessor Dioceses:Diocese of Cleveland
Catholic Hospitals:3
Rating:4.0
Chancery Address:144 W. Wood St.

Youngstown, OH 44503-1030

United States

Establishment

The Diocese of Youngstown was canonically erected on December 21, 1943, by Pope Pius XII through the apostolic constitution Quum iam pridem, carved from the eastern portion of the Diocese of Cleveland to address the growing Catholic population in the industrial Mahoning Valley.[3][4] The new diocese was made a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, with James R. McFadden appointed as its first bishop.

History

The diocese was created amid the post-World War II industrial boom in northeastern Ohio, where Catholic immigrants from Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe had established strong communities around steel mills and factories.[5] Key milestones include the construction of St. Columba Cathedral as the mother church in 1949 and responses to economic declines in the steel industry during the late 20th century, which prompted renewed evangelization efforts.

Under Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, the diocese hosted significant events like the 2000 Jubilee Year celebrations. More recently, Bishop George V. Murry emphasized racial justice and education before his death in 2020.[6]

Geography

The Diocese of Youngstown encompasses four counties in northeastern Ohio:

Covering approximately 2,398 square miles (6,210 km²), it is situated along the Pennsylvania border and is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Cincinnati.[7][8]

Mother church

St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown serves as the mother church of the diocese. Completed in 1949 in a modern Gothic Revival style, it features stunning stained glass windows depicting Irish saints and honors the diocese's Irish heritage through its patron, St. Columba of Iona.[9]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Bishop David J. Bonnar, installed on January 12, 2021, previously served as rector of St. Paul Seminary in Pittsburgh. He has prioritized synodality, vocations, and pro-life advocacy in the diocese.[10][11]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
James R. McFadden 1943–1952 First bishop; died in office.
Emmet Michael Walsh 1953–1966 Transferred to Diocese of Santa Fe.
James William Malone 1966–1995 Longest-serving bishop; retired.
Thomas J. Tobin 1995–2005 Transferred to Diocese of Providence.
John E. McDonnell 2006–2007 Apostolic administrator.
George V. Murry 2007–2020 Jesuit; died in office.
David J. Bonnar 2021– Current bishop.

According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and diocesan records.[12][13]

Theological and Cultural Orientation

The diocese rates as somewhat conservative (4.0), with weekly Traditional Latin Masses available in several parishes, a strong emphasis on traditional moral teachings like pro-life and marriage through initiatives such as the Northern Ohio March for Life, and leadership under Bishop Bonnar that promotes Eucharistic devotion and doctrinal fidelity alongside social outreach to the working-class community.[14][15]

Statistics

As of 2023, the diocese covers 2,398 square miles (6,210 km²), serves 290,458 registered Catholics (10.2% of a total population of 2,850,000), and includes 61 parishes, 7 deaneries, 108 priests, 25 Catholic elementary schools, 6 high schools, and 3 Catholic hospitals.[16][17]

Religious Communities

Jesuits

The Jesuits support parish ministries and retreats, notably at the Jesuit Retreat House in Parma.[18] Jesuits

Franciscan Friars

The Franciscan Friars (OFM) serve at several parishes and Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Euclid.[19]

Sisters of the Holy Humility of Mary

The Sisters of the Humility of Mary focus on education and healthcare, staffing schools like Humility of Mary School in Youngstown.[20]

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in the Diocese of Youngstown
Diocese of Youngstown
This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)
_pageName City MailingAddress
St. Ambrose Church (Diocese of Youngstown) Garrettsville, OH 11045 St. Joseph Blvd, Mantua, OH 44255
St. Anthony Church (Diocese of Youngstown) Canton, OH 1530 11th St SE, Canton, OH 44707
St. Peter (Diocese of Youngstown) Canton, OH 726 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton, OH 44702

The diocese comprises 61 parishes across 7 deaneries: Ashtabula, Columbiana, Eastern Mahoning/Trumbull, Southern Mahoning, Warren, Western Mahoning, and Youngstown City Deanery. These serve diverse ethnic communities with English, Spanish, and occasional Eastern Rite liturgies.[21]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The diocese oversees 25 elementary/middle schools and 6 high schools educating over 5,000 students:

School Name City Type Website
Aquinas High School Aurora High School https://www.aquinasspartans.org/
Cardinal Mooney High School Youngstown High School https://www.cardinalmooney.com/
Chaney High School (Catholic programs) Youngstown High School
Crestwood Catholic Campus Mantua Elementary/High School
St. Brendan School Youngstown Elementary
St. Charles School Boardman Elementary https://stcharlesschoolboardman.org/
St. Christine School Youngstown Elementary
St. Columba School Youngstown Elementary https://www.stcolumbaschool.com/
St. Edward School Youngstown Elementary
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School Canfield Elementary
St. Gregory the Great School Warren Elementary
St. James School Warren Elementary
St. Joan of Arc School Warren Elementary
St. John Vianney School Brookfield Elementary
St. Joseph School Salem Elementary
St. Joseph the Worker School Salem Elementary
St. Jude School Campbell Elementary
St. Mary School Boardman Elementary
St. Matthias School Youngstown Elementary
St. Nicholas School Struthers Elementary
St. Patrick School Hubbard Elementary
St. Rose School Girard Elementary
St. William School Warren Elementary
Ursuline High School Youngstown High School https://www.ursulinehigh.org/
Villa Maria High School Lowellville High School
Warren JFK High School (Catholic) Warren High School https://www.wjfk.com/

[22][23]

Community Outreach

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Youngstown serves over 20,000 individuals annually with food pantries, housing assistance, and immigration services across the four counties.[24]

Notable Events or Figures

  • Bishop James William Malone chaired the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry, influencing national vocations efforts in the 1970s–1980s.[25]
  • The diocese hosted the National Catholic Youth Conference regional events and annual Marian devotions at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson.[26]

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Youngstown:


  • Did you know? Pope Pius XII established the Diocese of Youngstown in 1943 right as World War II was winding down, creating a new home for steelworkers' families who built over 50 churches in the first decade!
  • Surprise! St. Columba Cathedral's name honors an Irish saint who converted kings, fitting for the diocese's immigrant roots from Ireland and Italy in the Mahoning Valley.
  • Here's something cool: The diocese covers four counties but packs in 61 parishes, including a Melkite Greek Catholic church that adds Byzantine beauty to Sunday worship.
  • Wow moment: Bishop David Bonnar, a Pittsburgh native, kicked off his tenure with a Year of the Eucharist in 2021, drawing record crowds to adoration events amid the Eucharistic Revival.
  • Little-known gem: The National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson hosts one of Ohio's biggest Marian feasts, blending Maronite traditions with local devotion since 1965.
  • Fun fact: Youngstown's Catholic schools include powerhouse athletes—Ursuline High School has won multiple state football championships while forming saints-in-training!
  • Did you know? The annual Northern Ohio March for Life, started in the diocese, gathers thousands yearly to witness for life, echoing the steel-strong faith of its industrial heritage.
  • Surprise! Despite economic rust-belt challenges, the diocese boasts a thriving seminary program, with St. Gregory the Great Seminary forming future priests since 2010.

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    References

    1. ↑ "History". https://youngstowndiocese.org/about/history/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    2. ↑ "Diocese of Youngstown". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dyoung.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    3. ↑ "Quum iam pridem". https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-xii_apc_19431221_quum-iam-pridem.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    4. ↑ "History". https://youngstowndiocese.org/about/history/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    5. ↑ "History". https://youngstowndiocese.org/about/history/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    6. ↑ "Diocese of Youngstown". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dyoung.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    7. ↑ "About". https://youngstowndiocese.org/about/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    8. ↑ "Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Youngstown. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    9. ↑ "St. Columba Cathedral". https://youngstowndiocese.org/cathedral/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    10. ↑ "Bishop David J. Bonnar". https://youngstowndiocese.org/bishop-david-j-bonnar/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    11. ↑ "Bishop David Joseph Bonnar". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bbonnardj.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    12. ↑ "Diocese of Youngstown". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dyoung.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    13. ↑ "Bishops". https://youngstowndiocese.org/about/bishops/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    14. ↑ "Traditional Latin Mass". https://youngstowndiocese.org/worship/liturgy/traditional-latin-mass/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    15. ↑ "Respect Life". https://youngstowndiocese.org/respect-life/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    16. ↑ "Diocese Statistics". https://youngstowndiocese.org/about/diocese-statistics/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    17. ↑ "Diocese of Youngstown". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dyoung.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    18. ↑ "Religious Communities". https://youngstowndiocese.org/parish-finder/?community=jesuits. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    19. ↑ "Religious Communities". https://youngstowndiocese.org/parish-finder/?community=franciscans. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    20. ↑ "Sisters of the Humility of Mary". https://hmohio.org/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    21. ↑ "Parish Finder". https://youngstowndiocese.org/parish-finder/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    22. ↑ "Catholic Schools". https://youngstowndiocese.org/schools/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    23. ↑ "Find a School". https://www.ncea.org/NCEA/Proclaim/School_Data/Find_A_School/School_Search.aspx. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    24. ↑ "Catholic Charities". https://ccy.org/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    25. ↑ "Bishop James William Malone". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bmalonej.html. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 
    26. ↑ "National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon". https://ourladyoflebanonshrine.com/. Retrieved 2024-10-01. 

    External links

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