Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando

The Diocese of Orlando (Latin: Dioecesis Orlandensis) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in central Florida in the United States. St. James Cathedral serves as the seat of the diocese. The current bishop is John Gerard Noonan.

Diocese of Orlando

Dioecesis Orlandensis
St. James Cathedral
Coat of arms
Location
Country United States
TerritoryCounties of Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Marion, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, Sumter[note 1]
Ecclesiastical provinceMiami
Coordinates28°32′43.2″N 81°22′40.11″W
Statistics
Area24,893[1][2] km2 (9,611 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics		(as of 2022)
5,064,237
400,923 (8%)
Parishes80
Schools36
Information
DenominationCatholic
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
EstablishedMarch 2, 1968
CathedralSt. James Cathedral
Patron saintThe Virgin Mary[3]
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
BishopJohn Gerard Noonan
Metropolitan ArchbishopThomas Wenski
Vicar GeneralJohn C. Giel
Map
Website
orlandodiocese.org

The Diocese of Orlando is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Miami.

Statistics

The Diocese of Orlando encompasses about 9,611 square miles (24,890 km2) spanning the following counties: Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Marion, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, and Sumter.[4]

In 2010, the diocese contained 81 parishes, 10 missions, and 37 schools. It has two minor basilicas, Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine, which ministers to Catholic tourists, and St. Paul's in Daytona Beach. In 2011, the estimated population of the diocese was approximately 400,923 Catholics.[5] There were 208 priests, 87 religious nuns, and 181 permanent deacons.[5]

History

Early history

Florida was first part of the Archdiocese of Havana, Cuba, as early as 1606. Bishops of Santiago de Cuba ministered to Catholics in Florida until 1763, when England acquired Florida from Spain. The first mass migration to the New World took place when hundreds of Catholics from Menorca settled in New Smyrna in 1768. They were members there of San Pedro Church until they abandoned that Atlantic coastal site in 1777 and moved north to St. Augustine. Cuban bishops resumed control after Florida was returned to Spain in 1783.

In the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819, Spain ceded all of Florida to the United States, which established the Florida Territory in 1821.[6] For Catholics, the territory was still under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Havana. In 1825, Pope Leo XII erected the Vicariate of Alabama and Florida, which included all of Florida.

A quarter century later, Pope Pius IX erected the Diocese of Savannah in 1850, including the new state of Florida minus the Florida Panhandle region. [7] However, seven years later, he stripped Florida from the Diocese of Savannah and created a new Apostolic Vicariate of Florida. In 1858, Augustin Verot became Vicar Apostolic of part of Georgia and all of Florida. He became Bishop of Savannah in 1861 and remained Vicar Apostolic of Florida. In 1870, the Diocese of St. Augustine, including all of Florida, was formed with Verot its first bishop. The Orlando area would remain part of the Diocese of St. Augustine for the next 98 years.

1968 to 1974

Pope Paul VI erected the Diocese of Orlando on June 18, 1968,[8] taking its present territory from the Diocese of St. Augustine and making it a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Miami. He appointed Monsignor William Borders of the Diocese of Baton Rouge as the first bishop of Orlando. At its formation, the new diocese consisted of fifty parishes and served 128,000 Catholics.

During his tenure in Orlando, Borders laid the foundations for the new diocese while also implementing the directives of the Second Vatican Council. He oversaw the creation of parish councils and education boards, allowed the laity to serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and formed a Sisters' Council for the nuns of the diocese.[9] A Social Services Board correlated the work of already-existing agencies, and developed an educational program aimed at coordinating efforts in Catholic schools, campus ministry, and religious education. Borders also initiated social outreach centers to minister to migrant workers and the poor.[10] In 1974, Paul VI named Borders as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

1974 to 1993

The second bishop of Orlando was Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Grady from the Archdiocese of Chicago, appointed by Paul VI in 1974.[11] He oversaw the establishment of 18 new parishes, the San Pedro Spiritual Development Center on the shores of Lake Howell, and a Mission Office to forge a relationship with the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana in the Dominican Republic.[11] Grady also wrote a weekly column called "The Bishop's Corner" for the Florida Catholic weekly newspaper.[12]

During Grady's tenure, the diocese saw significant growth. In 1976, St. Charles Borromeo Church in the College Park neighborhood of Orlando, the original cathedral, was burned in an electrical fire. St. James Church in downtown Orlando became the new Cathedral.[13] To provide ministerial outreach to vacationers visiting Walt Disney World and the Lake Buena Vista Resort, Grady created a parish in the Lake Buena Vista area. In 1984, he started construction of the Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in the same area. The diocese also expanded ministries to migrants and minorities, founded a scholarship program for African American students, and built apartment buildings for the elderly.[12] Grady resigned in 1989. At the end of his tenure in 1990, the Catholic population of the diocese had grown over 76% and the number of parishes had increased by more than a third.

1993 to present

Pope John Paul II named Auxiliary Bishop Norbert Dorsey of the Archdiocese of Miami as the next bishop of Orlando. In August 1993, the Shrine of Mary was dedicated. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designated it as a national shrine in 2004.[14] Dorsey's tenure saw further growth especially due to the growing Hispanic community. Radio Paz and health clinics for migrant and farm workers were established to minister to this community. Bishop Grady Villas, which opened on January 1, 2004, was constructed as a residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A cemetery at San Pedro Retreat Center for priests of the diocese was established. Dorsey retired in 2004.

Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami was selected by John Paul II to replace Dorsey as bishop of Orlando in 2004. Wenski convoked the first synod for the diocese in 2004.[15] During his tenure, Wenski created six new parishes and two missions.[16] A capital and endowment campaign raised $100 million.[17] he Spanish language radio station, Buena Nueva FM, an newspaper, El Clarin were also started.[18] The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops held their spring convocation in the diocese in 2008.[19] Wenski also designated 2008 as the "Year of Evangelization," putting a greater emphasis on deepening the faith of all people.[15] He petitioned and was granted that two diocesan churches, the Basilica of St. Paul in Daytona Beach and the Shrine of Mary, be raised to the status of minor basilicas.[20] In 2010, the diocese began both a $150 million capital campaign and an extensive renovation of St. James Cathedral in Orlando[21]

Benedict XVI named Wenski as archbishop of Miami in 2010.[22] Father Richard Walsh, pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Winter Park, served Diocesan Administrator, until the John Noonan was appointed as bishop in October.[23] Noonan is the current bishop of Orlando. On June 15, 2017, Noonan attended a memorial service at St. James Cathedral for victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando.[24]

Reports of sex abuse

In 1995, the Diocese of Orlando settled two lawsuits with people who accused two Catholic clergy of sexually abusing them.[25] The same year, Orlando priest Thomas Ragni was arrested and charged with sexually abusing young people at his seminary. He was then convicted in 1996 and sentenced to ten years in prison, but was released early in 2000.[25] In 2004, 12 priests who were accused of committing sex abuse while serving in the Diocese of Orlando were removed from active ministry.[26]

On August 13, 2014, an Orlando man filed a lawsuit against Bishop Noonan and the Diocese of Orlando. The plaintiff claimed to have been sexually assaulted when he was an altar boy in Sanford, Florida by Father William Authenrieth between 1976 and 1978.[27]

In August 2018, Noonan removed David Gillis, parochial administrator of the Our Savior Parish in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Gillis had been accused in a Pennsylvania investigation of sexual abuse of a minor years earlier.[28]

Bishops

Bishops of Orlando
  1. William Donald Borders (1968–1974), appointed Archbishop of Baltimore
  2. Thomas Joseph Grady (1974–1989)
  3. Norbert Dorsey (1990–2004)
  4. Thomas Wenski (2004–2010), appointed Archbishop of Miami
  5. John Gerard Noonan (2010–present)

Other diocesan priests who became bishops

Present administration

For administrative purposes, the diocese has five deaneries:[29]

  • Eastern Deanery (Volusia County) – Daytona Beach
  • Southern Deanery (Brevard County) – Melbourne. In 2009, there were approximately 80,000 Catholics in Brevard.[30]
  • Northern Deanery (Marion, Sumter, and Lake Counties) – The Villages
  • Western Deanery (Polk County) – Lakeland
  • Central Deanery (Osceola, Orange, Seminole Counties) – Orlando
Diocesan Pastoral Center

The diocese operates the San Pedro Center[31] for the benefit of over 10,000 retreatants during 2008.[32]

Diocese administration contains the following organizations: Office of Communication, Office of Advocacy and Justice, Office of Hispanic Ministry, Office of Family Life and Pastoral Care, Campus Ministry, Office of Finance and Accounting, Office of Human Resources, Buena Nueva FM 104.1,[33] El Clarin, The Florida Catholic, IT, Media Center, Youth/Young Adults, Catholic Charities of Central Florida (including Pathways to Care), Bishop Grady Villas, Tourism Ministries, Mission Office, Propagation of the Faithm and Farmworker Ministry.[32]

The diocese raised $10 million from its parishes in 2007 to support its ministries.[32]

Ministries

A total of 1,342 couples participated in the marriage program under the Family Life Office in 2007.[32]In 2008, 1,000 people were prepared and entered the church.[32]Over 900 people were trained to minister to the sick as of 2007.[32]The diocese has a sister diocese in the Dominican Republic. Missioners built two churches and one community center. The medical mission helped 2,000 patients in 2007.[32]

An Apostleship of the Sea ministry is located at the Stella Maris Center at Port Canaveral for the benefit of seafarers.[34]

Catholic charities

In 2007, Catholic charities in the Diocese of Orlando gave food and financial assistance to 23,000 families; helped over 290 refugee families and 4,000 people with immigration issues; and visited 2,000 prisoners. Pathways to Care assisted 290 homeless people with medical and shelter.[32]

Other diocesan ministries
  • Catholic Cemeteries of Central Florida oversees the three parish cemeteries:[35] All Souls Catholic Cemetery, St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, and St. Matthew Catholic Cemetery.[36]
  • Council of Catholic Women.[37] In 2008, there were 32 such parish groups in the diocese. In 2007, they donated $240,759 to charitable causes and recorded an estimated 130,615 volunteer hours.[38]

Education

In 2007. there were 12,116 elementary, and 2,687 high school students enrolled in the diocesan Catholic schools. There were 816 elementary and 221 high school teachers in the Catholic School District.[39] The diocese supports the Catholic Campus Ministry at the University of Central Florida.[40]

The Superintendent of Schools was Henry Fortier.[41]

In 2011, there were 14,500 students in the 38 schools in the diocesan school system. This includes 32 elementary schools,five high schools and one special education school.[41]

In 2008, the National Catholic Educational Association recognized the diocesan school board as "outstanding", the only diocesan board to be so recognized.[42] At the same time, the Father Lopez Catholic High School board was simultaneously recognized as outstanding; also the only school board to be so designated.

In 2009 to 2010, the diocesan schools received more than $1 million in Title I and Title II funds through the federal government.[43]

Secondary schools

Elementary schools

The Diocese of Orlando had 32 elementary schools in 2011. Since 1985, 18 of those have been awarded the designation of National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.[44]

Brevard County
  • Ascension Catholic School, Melbourne, 2003 and 1985 National Blue Ribbon School
  • Divine Mercy Catholic School, Merritt Island, 2004 National Blue Ribbon School
  • Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School, Indialantic, 2003 and 2000 National Blue Ribbon School
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Melbourne
  • Our Saviour Catholic School, Cocoa Beach, 2004 National Blue Ribbon School
  • St. Joseph Parish School, Palm Bay, 2006 and 1993 National Blue Ribbon School
  • St. Mary Catholic School, Rockledge, 2004 National Blue Ribbon School
  • St. Teresa Catholic School, Titusville

Lake County

Marion County
  • Blessed Trinity Catholic School, Ocala

Orange County
  • Good Shepherd Catholic School, Orlando, 2000 National Blue Ribbon School
  • Holy Family Catholic School, Orlando, 2006 National Blue Ribbon School
  • St. Andrew Catholic School, Orlando, 2009 National Blue Ribbon School
  • St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, Orlando, 2007 National Blue Ribbon School
  • St. James Cathedral School, Orlando, 2005 National Blue Ribbon School
  • St. John Vianney Catholic School, Orlando, 2005 National Blue Ribbon School
  • St. Margaret Mary Catholic School, Winter Park, 2006 National Blue Ribbon School

Osceola County

Polk County
  • Resurrection Catholic School, Lakeland, 2004 National Blue Ribbon School
  • St. Anthony Catholic School, Lakeland
  • St. Joseph Catholic Academy, Lakeland
  • St. Joseph Catholic School, Winter Haven

Seminole County
  • All Souls Catholic School, Sanford, 2004 National Blue Ribbon School
  • Annunciation Catholic Academy, Altamonte Springs, 2003 National Blue Ribbon School
  • St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School, Altamonte Springs, 2006 National Blue Ribbon School

Volusia County
  • Basilica School of St. Paul, Daytona Beach
  • Lourdes Academy, Daytona Beach, 2006 National Blue Ribbon School
  • Sacred Heart Catholic School, New Smyrna Beach, 2008 National Blue Ribbon School
  • St. Brendan Catholic School, Ormond Beach
  • St. Peter Catholic School, DeLand

Special education

Parishes
The interior of the Basilica of Mary, Queen of the Universe.

There are 93 parishes in the Diocese of Orlando.[45]

Parishes include:

  • All Souls, Sanford – 1,776 registered families; average attendance 1,700 each weekend.[46]
  • Corpus Christi, Celebration – 920 registered families; average attendance 1,700 each weekend.[46]
  • St. Philip Phan van Minh, Orlando – a language parish for people of Vietnamese descent[46]
  • Most Precious Blood, Oviedo – 1,900 registered families; 2,200 average weekend attendance[46]
  • St. Mark the Evangelist, Summerfield – 2,067 families registered.[46]
  • St. Faustina, Clermont – 700 registered families, over 500 attending each weekend.[46]
  • St. Mary, Rockledge. A parish of 1400 families. In 2002 the congregation opened an ultra modern church designed by architect Michael Graves. The church is set up in such a way as to show the journey of life towards Christ that one makes.

Basilicas

Other

Media

The diocese owns the Spanish-language radio station Buena Nueva FM 104.1 Sub-Carrier which reaches eight counties of the nine comprising the diocese. It is broadcast on the internet.[50][51]

Newspaper

A localized version of the Florida Catholic newspaper is published 38 times a year. Diocesan circulation is 40,200, the highest in the Eccesiastical Province of Miami.[52]

See also

Notes
  1. William Borders, the first Bishop of the diocese, humorously claimed in 1969 to Pope Paul VI that the then-active 1917 Code of Canon Law placed newly explored territory under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the port of departure, making the Diocese of Orlando responsible for the moon following the flight of Apollo 11.[note 2] If true, the total area of the diocese would be 14,657,051 square miles (37,961,590 km2), making it the largest Catholic diocese in existence. It is unknown if Pope Paul VI confirmed or rejected Borders' claim. The current bishop, John Noonan, rejects Borders' claim.[note 3] The area of the diocese is 24,893 square kilometres (9,611 sq mi).[note 4] At 9,960,000 square kilometres (3,850,000 sq mi), the Diocese of Saint Joseph at Irkutsk is the largest diocese geographically.
  2. "Yes, the moon has its own Catholic bishop". Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture. 2018-08-03. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  3. "Did Apollo 11 mission make Orlando's founding bishop the bishop of moon?". cruxnow.com. Retrieved 26 July 2019.

References
  1. Diocese of Orlando on Catholic-Hierarchy.org
  2. on ifl science
  3. "About Us". Diocese of Orlando, Florida. Retrieved 5 May 2022. Mary, the Mother of God, is the patroness of the Diocese of Orlando and we seek her intercession so that our efforts to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, form leaders, harmonize ministries and enkindle deeper faith will be blessed by God.
  4. "The Craziest Catholic Rules You've Never Heard Of | The Catholic Talk Show". Archived from the original on 2021-12-22 – via www.youtube.com.
  5. "Diocesan web site".
  6. "European Exploration and Colonization – Florida Department of State". dos.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  7. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah Archived 2007-06-02 at the Wayback Machine, Savannah, Georgia: Catholic Diocese of Savannah, 2013, Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  8. "Orlando Diocese official website".
  9. "History: Bishop William Borders". Diocese of Orlando. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  10. "Most Rev. William D. Borders". Archdiocese of Baltimore. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  11. "Diocese of Orlando History". Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando.
  12. Eifling, Sam (2002-04-26). "Bishop Thomas J. Grady, 87". Chicago Tribune.
  13. "History of the Diocese of Orlando Video".
  14. "History & Heritage" page on the web site of the Basilica of Mary, Queen of the Universe.
  15. "Diocese of Orlando History". Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando.
  16. Powers, Jennifer (May 21 – June 3, 2010). "Extended pastoral reach through new parishes, missions". Orlando, Florida: Florida Catholic. pp. A2.
  17. Peterson, Teresa Lantigua (May 21 – June 3, 2010). "Alive in Christ Campaign reaches $100 million". Orlando, Florida: Florida Catholic. pp. A3.
  18. Goodman, Tanya (May 21 – June 3, 2010). "Helping Spanish-speaking Catholics feel at home". Orlando, Florida: Florida Catholic. pp. A16.
  19. "USCCB-Spring Meeting 2008".
  20. Dobson, Laura (May 21 – June 3, 2010). "Churches elevated to status of minor basilicas under leadership of Archbishop Wenski". Orlando, Florida: Florida Catholic. pp. A14.
  21. Palmo, Rocco (April 20, 2010). "Holy Goalie: A Two-Pole Tuesday". Whispers in the Loggia.
  22. "Pope Names Orlando Bishop As Archbishop Of Miami, Chicago Auxiliary Bishop As Bishop Of Springfield In Illinois". USCCB.
  23. Tanya Goodman. "Father Walsh to lead diocese as administrator". The Florida Catholic. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  24. "Catholics in Florida remember victims of Pulse nightclub". Crux Now. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  25. "Database of Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse". app.bishop-accountability.org.
  26. McMULLEN, CARY. "Orlando Diocese Removed 12 Priests Accused of Sex Violations". The Ledger.
  27. Sentinel, Jeff Kunerth, Orlando. "Orlando Catholic Diocese sued again over sexual abuse". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  28. Peters, Xander. "After child sex abuse allegation, Catholic Diocese of Orlando removes priest". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  29. "Welcome to the Diocese of Orlando". www.orlandodiocese.org. Archived from the original on 2006-02-19.
  30. Florida Today retrieved 5 September 2009 Archived September 8, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  31. San Pedro website accessed January 28, 2008
  32. Wenski, Thomas (2008). Grow. Lead. Share. Diocese of Orlando.
  33. Buena Nueva FM 104,1 website Archived 2021-01-18 at the Wayback Machine accessed January 28, 2008
  34. AOS Port Canaveral Seafarers Center retrieved April 17, 2008
  35. "Our Vision & Mission". Catholic Cemeteries of Central Florida. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  36. "Parish Cemeteries". Catholic Cemeteries of Central Florida. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  37. Dodson, Laura (April 18–24, 2008). Forty years of growth and social change will mark women's convention. Florida Catholic.
  38. Jackson, Ruth R. (November 7–20, 2008). Women's council grows in diocese. Florida Catholic of Orlando.
  39. "Diocese of Orlando – Our Catholic Appeal". www.orlandodiocese.org. Archived from the original on 2007-07-10.
  40. "Campus Ministry Brings Christ's Peace to Hectic College Life". Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  41. Florida Today, January 20, 2008."Parochials in a pinch." Brennan, Kate
  42. staff (April 11–17, 2008). Father Lopez High School and Diocese of Orlando school boards receive national recognition. Florida Catholic.
  43. "Federal and state Financial aid available to Catholic Schools". The Florida Catholic. Orlando, Florida. September 3–16, 2010. pp. A15.
  44. "Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award". Retrieved 2010-07-09.
  45. "Orlando Diocese official website".
  46. Powers, Jennifer (May 21 – June 3, 2010). "Extended pastoral reach through new parishes, missions". Orlando, Florida: Florida Catholic. pp. A2.
  47. "Basilica of St. Paul". GCatholic. Retrieved 2014-05-29.
  48. "Basilica of St. Paul". GCatholic. Retrieved 2014-05-29.
  49. Osborne, Karen (20 August – 2 September 2010). "Florida church a pilgrimage cite for Maronite Catholics". Orlando, Floridat: Florida Catholic. p. 1.
  50. "Buena Nueva FM – Audio en vivo". www.orlandodiocese.org. Archived from the original on 2007-04-23.
  51. "Florida Catholic | Diocese of Orlando News Briefs".
  52. accessed September 27
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