Archdiocese of Washington
Map of the Archdiocese of Washington
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History of the Archdiocese of Washington
Catholicism was brought to Maryland in James Hickey was appointed Archbishop of 1634 when Jesuit Father Andrew White Washington in 1980 and elevated to the celebrated the first Mass held in the College of Cardinals in 1988. Under English-speaking colonies, on the shores of Cardinal Hickey’s leadership, the St. Clement’s Island. Founded as a haven archdiocese greatly expanded service for Catholics and a place of religious ministries, establishing programs such as toleration, Maryland was the site of the Victory Housing, Birthing and Care and the Religious Act of 1649, the first legislation a Archdiocesan Health Care and Legal representative body ever enacted for Networks. The archdiocese also grew in religious freedom. Sadly, between 1690 and diversity, with Mass celebrated in over 20 1776, Catholics in Maryland suffered under languages, including Chinese, French, oppressive penal laws, but they persevered Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and and the Catholic faith flourished. Vietnamese.
In 1789, Archbishop John Carroll, who was In November 2000, Cardinal Hickey retired. born in Upper Marlboro, was appointed the His successor, then-Newark Archbishop first bishop of the United States. That same Theodore E. McCarrick, was installed in year, Georgetown University, the nation’s January 2001. Just six weeks later he was first Catholic college, was founded. The elevated to the College of Cardinals. Archdiocese of Washington is also home to Cardinal McCarrick emphasized vocations The Catholic University of America. and ministry to diverse cultures, particularly the Hispanic community. He opened a new Originally part of the Archdiocese of seminary for missionary priests of the Baltimore, the City of Washington was archdiocese. named a separate archdiocese by Pope Pius XII in 1939, under the direction of In May 2006, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Baltimore Archbishop Michael J. Curley. then-Pittsburgh Bishop Donald W. Wuerl as Eight years later, Archbishop Patrick A. Archbishop of Washington. He was installed O’Boyle was named the first resident on June 22, 2006. Known nationally for his archbishop, and Calvert, Charles, catechetical and teaching ministry and for Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. his efforts to strengthen Catholic education, Mary’s Counties joined Washington as part he is active in the community, joining with of the new archdiocese. Archbishop O’Boyle civic and business leaders to promote immediately began his pioneering work to education, service to the poor, pastoral desegregate Catholic schools and parishes, assistance to refugees and immigrants, as build new churches and establish new well as interfaith understanding. He has social service ministries. He was elevated to made renewing sacramental life a priority, cardinal in 1967 and retired in 1973. introducing a successful initiative on the Sacrament of Reconciliation that quickly His successor, Archbishop William Baum, became a model for other dioceses. was elevated to cardinal in 1976. He was transferred to the Roman Curia four years He also hosted Pope Benedict XVI during his later, where he served until 2001. While historic visit to Washington, D.C. in April Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Baum 2008. Pope Benedict celebrated Mass for was joined by the faithful of the archdiocese nearly 50,000 people from around the nation in welcoming Pope John Paul II on his first at Nationals Park, visited the White House, papal visit to the United States in 1979. met with the United States bishops and
Page A-2 Updated: 1/30/2018 A. Who We Are leaders of other faiths, and addressed have made the archdiocese one of the Catholic educators. largest private social service providers in the region. Adult Catholics are finding new Cardinal Donald Wuerl was among 24 new educational and spiritual resources to Cardinals created on November 20, 2010 by deepen their faith. Parish-based programs, Pope Benedict XVI at a consistory at Saint opportunities for Eucharistic adoration, Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. He received evangelization efforts, and small faith San Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains) communities are filling their hunger to know as his titular church. Christ.
Today, the Archdiocese of Washington is Although diverse in nationality, Catholics of home to over 620,000 Catholics. Nearly 100 the Archdiocese of Washington share a Catholic schools educate nearly 30,000 common faith and a commitment to reflect children while service agencies, including Christ in the world through prayer, Catholic Charities and Victory Housing, education, and service.
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Statistical Profile of the Archdiocese of Washington
Clergy and Religious Educational Cardinal Archbishop 1 Seminaries, Archdiocesan 3 Retired Cardinals 1 Students from This Diocese 60 Auxiliary Bishops . (including 4 Students from Other Diocese 103 retired) Diocesan Students in Other 14 Priests in Archdiocese Seminaries Archdiocesan 286 Seminaries, Religious 10 Religious 356 Students 196 Extern 105 Total Seminarians Studying 270 Seminarians, Archdiocesan 71 in Archdiocese Permanent Deacons 266 Colleges and Universities 3 Religious Brothers 110 Total Students 27,246 Religious Sisters 492 High Schools, Archdiocesan 2 Parishes, Communities, Basilica Total Students 765 Parishes 139 High Schools, Private 18 Missions and Communities 9 Total Students 14,088 Basilica 1 Elementary/Pre-K, 65 Archdiocesan Charitable Institutions Total Students 16,039 Catholic Hospitals 4 Elementary/Pre-K, Private 12 Total Assisted 674,894 Total Students 2,519 Health Care Centers 71 Non-residential Schools for 1 Total Assisted 1,062,124 the Disabled Homes for Aged 31 Total Students 33 Total Assisted 2,953 Catechesis/Religious Education Day Care Centers 6 High School Students 1,994 Total Assisted 294 Elementary Students 22,645 Specialized Homes 24 Total Students under 79,011 Total Assisted 2,011 Catholic Instruction Special Centers for Social 54 Teachers in the Archdiocese Services Priests (Full-time) 23 Total Assisted 192,708 Brothers 20 Residential Care for 7 Sisters 29 Disabled Lay Teachers 3,147 Total Assisted 82
(Data from 2017 Official Catholic Directory)
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Archbishop of Washington
His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl
Ordained to the Priesthood December 17, 1966
Ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle January 6, 1986
Named Bishop of Pittsburgh February 12, 1988
Named Archbishop of Washington May 16, 2006
Installed as Archbishop of Washington June 22, 2006
Elevated to the College of Cardinals November 20, 2010
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Auxiliary Bishops of Washington
Most Rev. Mario E. Dorsonville Titular Bishop of Kearney Phone: 301-853- 4538
Most. Rev. Roy E. Campbell Titular Bishop of Ucres Phone: 301-853-4563
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Former Archbishops of Washington
Most Rev. Michael J. Curley
First Archbishop 1939–1947
Patrick Cardinal O’Boyle 1948 -1973
William Cardinal Baum 1973-1980
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Former Archbishops of Washington
James Cardinal Hickey 1980-2000
Theodore Cardinal McCarrick 2001–2006
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