Roman Catholic Diocese of Great Falls–Billings

Diocese of Great Falls–Billings
Dioecesis Magnocataractensis–Billingensis
Location
Country United States
Territory Big Horn, Blaine, Carbon, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Hill, Musselshell, Park, Rosebud, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wibaux and Yellowstone counties in Eastern Montana
Ecclesiastical province Province of Portland
Population
- Catholics
51,629[1] (13.2%)
Information
Denomination Roman Catholic
Rite Roman Rite
Established May 18, 1904
Cathedral St. Ann's Cathedral (Great Falls)
Co-cathedral St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral (Billings)
Patron saint St. Matthias the Apostle
St. Pius X
Current leadership
Pope Francis
Bishop Michael William Warfel
Bishop of Great Falls–Billings
Metropolitan Archbishop Alexander King Sample
Emeritus Bishops Anthony Michael Milone
Map
Website
diocesegfb.org

The Diocese of Great Falls–Billings (Latin: Dioecesis Magnocataractensis–Billingensis) is the Catholic diocese of eastern Montana, established in 1904.

Pope Pius X erected the "Diocese of Great Falls" on May 18, 1904, by dividing the Diocese of Helena, which previously comprised the entire state.[1][2]

History

For its first 76 years, it was called the "Diocese of Great Falls" (Latin: Dioecesis Great-Ormensis).[1] Bishop Thomas J. Murphy changed the name of the diocese on February 14, 1980, adding "Billings" (and also changing the way that "Great Falls" was translated into Latin).[3]

The diocese has two cathedrals: St Ann's Cathedral in Great Falls, which was dedicated on December 15, 1907; and St Patrick's Co-Cathedral in Billings, which was dedicated on March 1, 1908.

The co-patrons of the diocese are:

Bishops

The past bishops of the diocese and their tenures of service:[4]

  1. Mathias Clement Lenihan (1904–1930), originally from Dubuque, Iowa.
  2. Edwin Vincent O'Hara (1930–1939), from Portland, Oregon.
  3. William Joseph Condon (1939–1967), from Spokane, Washington.
  4. Eldon Bernard Schuster (1967–1977), from Great Falls, Montana.
  5. Thomas Joseph Murphy (1978–1987), from Chicago, Illinois.
  6. Anthony Michael Milone (1987–2006), from Omaha, Nebraska.
  7. Michael William Warfel (2007–present), from Elkhart, Indiana.

High schools

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Diocese of Great Falls-Billings". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  2. ↑ "Diocese of Montana Split into two". Dioceseofgfb.org. Retrieved 2014-04-26.
  3. ↑ "Diocese Renamed". Dioceseofgfb.org. Retrieved 2014-04-26.
  4. ↑ "Bishops from 1883 to the Present". Dioceseofgfb.org. Retrieved 2014-04-26.

External links

Arms

Arms of Roman Catholic Diocese of Great Falls–Billings
Notes
This version of the Arms was adopted when the Diocese of Great Falls became a dual See City diocese,
Adopted
June 1980
Escutcheon
The arms of the diocese are composed of a main section that occupies the bottom two-thirds of the shield. This section of the shield is divided into four vertical sections, known as pales, of alternating blue and silver (white). These four sections are in the traditional heraldic colors of water and have straight edges. On these four pales are three crosses that are counterchanged, divided and colored opposite their background. The upper one-third of the shield, known as a chief, is silver (white) on which is displayed a red demi-sun.

An esutchen, a small shield placed within the larger design,is in the center. This smaller shield is divided into two halves, across the middle. The upper portion is gold (yellow) on which is placed a green trefoil, a three-petal flower, which is the heraldic representation of the shamrock. The lower portion is also gold and on this field is placed a blue pile; a V-shaped charge.

Symbolism
The arms of the diocese are composed of a main section that occupies the bottom two-thirds of the shield. This section of the shield is divided into four vertical sections, known as pales, of alternating blue and silver (white). These four sections are in the traditional heraldic colors of water and have straight edges to give the illusion of water falling rapidly from a great height and thus reflects the name of the prime See City of Great Falls. On these four pales are three crosses that are counterchanged, divided and colored opposite their background, to honor the Most Blessed Trinity. The upper one-third of the shield, known as a chief, is silver (white) on which is displayed a red demi-sun, to reflect the fact that the See City of Great Falls is located opposite the mouth of the Sun River. These have been the arms of the Diocese of Great Falls since it was erected on May 18, 1904.

In June of 1980, the Diocese of Great Falls became a dual See City diocese, now known as the Diocese of Great Falls–Billings, reflecting the growth of this region of Montana. To commemorate this change in the status of the diocese, an esutchen, a small shield placed within the larger design, has been added to the former arms of the diocese. This smaller shield is divided into two halves, across the middle. The upper portion is gold (yellow) on which is placed a green trefoil, a three-petal flower, which is the heraldic representation of the shamrock, to honor Saint Patrick, titular of the Co-Cathedral in Billings. The lower portion is also gold and on this field is placed a blue pile; a V-shaped charge. If this section is looked at alone, the gold sides that are left by cutting out the blue pile, gives the illusion of the "rimrocks", the cliffs that surround the city of Billings.

Previous versions
The arms without an escutcheon have been the arms of the Diocese of Great Falls since it was erected on May 18, 1904, until June 1980, the Diocese of Great Falls became a dual See City diocese.
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Coordinates: 47°30′13″N 111°17′10.67″W / 47.50361°N 111.2862972°W / 47.50361; -111.2862972

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