Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville

Diocese of Knoxville
Dioecesis Knoxvillensis
Location
Country United States
Territory East Tennessee
Ecclesiastical province Louisville
Statistics
Area 14,242 sq mi (36,890 km2)
Population
- Total
- Catholics		 (as of 2011)
2,350,312
63,000 (2.7%)
Information
Denomination Catholic Church
Rite Roman Rite
Established May 27, 1988 (26 years ago)
Cathedral Sacred Heart Cathedral
Current leadership
Pope Francis
Bishop

Richard Stika

Bishop of Knoxville
Metropolitan Archbishop

Joseph Edward Kurtz

Archbishop of Louisville
Map
Website
dioceseofknoxville.org

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville (Latin: Dioecesis Knoxvillensis) is a Roman Catholic diocese in Tennessee. It was founded on May 27, 1988 from the eastern counties of the Diocese of Nashville. This diocese covers most of East Tennessee; in addition to the see city of Knoxville, it includes Chattanooga and Johnson City. The Mother Church is Sacred Heart Cathedral, located on Northshore Drive in Knoxville. The two oldest churches are Saints Peter and Paul Basilica Parish of Chattanooga and Immaculate Conception Parish of Knoxville, both founded in 1852.

As of 2007, there were an estimated 52,000 Catholics within the diocese, which covers approximately 14,000 square miles (36,000 km2).[1]

Ordinaries

The following is a list of Bishops who served the Diocese of Knoxville, along with their dates of service:

Currently

With a population of 60,000 Catholics, the diocese makes up about 2 percent of East Tennessee’s total population. The diocese is currently home to 47 parishes and four missions. These parishes are served by 54 diocesan priests, 16 religious priests, 8 extern priests, 24 deacons, 10 brothers, and 33 sisters. Eleven religious institutes are represented in the diocese.[1]

Perpetual adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament is available at many of the parishes and Masses are offered in a wide array of languages. This is chosen so that the spiritual needs of all parishioners are met. These languages include English, Spanish, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, and Latin.

With the influx of large numbers of Hispanic Catholics looking for work, the diocese faces many new challenges. If the estimates are correct and there are about 50,000 new Hispanic immigrants in the area, their number nearly doubles the area’s current official Catholic population. The clergy and laity of the diocese are working to welcome these new neighbors.[1]

Education

High schools

Elementary schools

Parishes

History

While the Catholic Church has been a part of life in East Tennessee for over 166 years,[1] the Diocese of Knoxville was founded in 1988.[2] Before the creation, the area was part of the Diocese of Nashville.[2]

Because of his role in the creation of the Diocese, Nashville’s Bishop James Daniel Niedergeses, was known as the “Grandfather of the Diocese of Knoxville"[3]

Arms

Arms of Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville
Notes
Arms was designed and adopted when the diocese was erected. It was designed by Deacon Paul Sullivan.
Adopted
1988
Escutcheon
The arms of the diocese are composed of a cross in gold (Or) at center with three small red (Gules) crosses on it. The background of the shield that shows behind the cross is divided quarterly into areas of red and blue (Azure). Mountains, a dogwood blossom, river and a railroad trestle are charged in there.
Symbolism
The central cross in gold (Or) is taken from the coat of arms of Pope John Paul II, who established the diocese. Three small red (Gules) crosses represent the three dioceses in the state of Tennessee. Charges in these quarters allude to natural features that dominate the landscape of East Tennessee: mountains, a dogwood blossom, and the Tennessee River. A railroad trestle in the bottom right quarter honors the Irish immigrants who brought the Catholic faith to the area, many of whom worked constructing railroads, especially trestles.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Diocese of Knoxville". DioceseofKnoxville.org. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Diocese of Knoxville History". DioceseofKnoxville.org. 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-24.
  3. ↑ "Diocese of Knoxville History 1987-1999". DioceseofKnoxville.org. 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-24.

External links

Coordinates: 35°58′22″N 83°56′32″W / 35.97278°N 83.94222°W