Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette

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Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette
Dioecesis Marquettensis
Basic information
Location Marquette, Michigan, United States
Territory Counties of Marquette, Delta, Chippewa, Houghton, Dickinson, Menominee, Iron, Mackinac, Schoolcraft, Ontonagon, Luce, and Keweenaw
Population 68,360 Catholics
Rite Roman Rite
Patron St. Peter
Ecclesiastical province Archdiocese of Detroit
Established January 3, 1937
Cathedral St. Peter Cathedral
Bishop Alexander King Sample
Website www.dioceseofmarquette.org
Current leadership
Pope Benedict XVI
Metropolitan Adam Cardinal Maida
Archbishop of Detroit
Diocesan Bishop Alexander King Sample
Bishop of Marquette

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette is a suffragan diocese of the Roman rite, encompassing all of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in the ecclesiastical province of the Archbishop of Detroit. It encompasses an area of 16,281 square miles (42,152 square kilometers). Its cathedral is St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette, which replaced Holy Name of Mary Proto-Cathedral at Sault Ste. Marie.

In 2000 the number of registered Catholics in the diocese was 65,500. Fifty-eight diocesan priests and 11 religious were serving the people at 74 parishes and 23 missions. There were 10 parish grade schools. Sixty-three women religious were also in service to the diocese.


[edit] History

This diocese was originally established as the Vicariate Apostolic of Upper Michigan on July 29, 1853, formed by a division of the Diocese of Detroit. The Vicarate Apostolic of Upper Michigan was raised to the status of a Diocese as the Diocese of Sault Sainte Marie on January 9, 1857. On January 3, 1937 the See city was transferred to Marquette, and the Diocese was renamed the Diocese of Marquette. The Diocese of Sault Sainte Marie is now maintained as a titular see.

[edit] Ordinaries

The ordinary of the Diocese of Marquette is a bishop whose episcopal see is located at Cathedral of Saint Peter in Marquette.

The Diocese has had twelve bishops:

  • Most Rev. Ireneus Frederic Baraga (1853-1868)
  • Most Rev. Ignatius Mrak (1868-1879)
  • Most Rev. John Vertin (1879-1899)
  • Most Rev. Frederick Eis (1899-1922)
  • Most Rev. Paul Joseph Nussbaum (1922-1935)
  • Most Rev. Joseph Casimir Plagens (1935-1940)
  • Most Rev. Francis Joseph Magner (1940-1947)
  • Most Rev. Thomas Lawrence Noa (1947-1968)
  • Most Rev. Charles Alexander K. Salatka (1968-1977)
  • Most Rev. Mark Francis Schmitt (1978-1992)
  • Most Rev. James Henry Garland (1992-2005)
  • Most Rev. Alexander King Sample (2005-present)

Alexander King Sample was appointed bishop on December 13, 2005 at the age of 45, and was installed as Bishop on January 25, 2006.

[edit] References

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