ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

As of 2006, the 'Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia' covers the
City and County of Philadelphia as well as Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
It is the Metropolitan See of the Ecclesiastical Province of Pennsylvania, which includes the suffragan bishopric sees of Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Scranton.
The seat of the archbishop is the Cathedral-Basilica of SS. Peter & Paul. In addition to being patrons of the cathedral, SS. Peter & Paul are also the patrons of the archdiocese.
As of a 2004, the archdiocese numbered 1,486,058 Catholics, which was 38.4% of the total estimated population.

Contents

History

Ordinaries of the See of Philadelphia

Current Auxiliary Bishops

The parish structure

Philadelphia North - Rev. Msgr. Herbert A. Bevard

Philadelphia North High Schools

Philadelphia South - Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Sullivan

Philadelphia South High Schools

Bucks County - Rev. Msgr. James Beisel

Bucks County High Schools

Chester County - Rev. Msgr. Joseph T. Marino

Chester County High Schools

Delaware County - Rev. Msgr. John E Breslin

Delaware County High Schools

Montgomery County - Rev. Msgr. Arthur E. Rodgers

Montgomery County High Schools

Private High Schools

Trivia

See also

External links

History

Pope Pius VII erected the Diocese of Philadelphia on April 8 1808 from territories of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Originally the diocese included all of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and 7 counties of New Jersey.
The diocese lost territory with the creation of the Diocese of Pittsburgh on July 29, 1853 and the dioceses of Harrisburg, Scranton and Wilmington on March 3, 1868.
The diocese was raised to the dignity of an archdiocese on February 12 1875. On January 21, 1961 he archdiocese lost territory with the erection of the Diocese of Allentown.

Ordinaries of the See of Philadelphia

Ordinaries of the See of Philadelphia, and their terms of service:

★ The Most Reverend Michael Francis Egan, O.F.M., Bishop (1808-1814)

★ The Most Reverend Henry Conwell, Bishop (1819-1842)

★ The Most Reverend Francis Patrick Kenrick, Bishop (1842-1851)

★ The Most Reverend St. John Nepomucene Neumann, C.SS.R., Bishop (1852-1860)

★ The Most Reverend James Frederick Bryan Wood, Bishop (1860-1875), Archbishop (1875-1883)

★ The Most Reverend Patrick John Ryan, Archbishop (1884-1911)

★ The Most Reverend Edmond Francis Prendergast, Archbishop (1911-1918)

★ His Eminence Dennis Joseph Dougherty, Archbishop (1918-1951)

★ His Eminence John Francis O'Hara, C.S.C., Archbishop (1951-1960)

★ His Eminence John Joseph Krol, Archbishop (1961-1988), Archbishop Emeritus (1988-1996)

★ His Eminence Anthony Joseph Bevilacqua, Archbishop (1988-2003), Archbishop Emeritus (2003-present)

★ His Eminence Justin Francis Rigali, Archbishop (2003-present)

Current Auxiliary Bishops

As of January 3, 2007 there are six auxiliary bishops:

★ The Most Reverend Martin N. Lohmuller, D.D., J.C.D.(Retired)

★ The Most Reverend Louis A. DeSimone, D.D.(Retired)

★ The Most Reverend Robert P. Maginnis, D.D., V.G.

★ The Most Reverend Joseph R. Cistone, D.D., V.G.

★ The Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, D.D., V.G.

★ The Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, D.D., S.T.L., V.G.

The parish structure

The diocese is sub-divided into 6 Vicariates, each administered by a Regional Vicar. (Presently each Vicar holds the honorary title of Monsignor).
Present Vicariates and their Administrators:

Philadelphia North - Rev. Msgr. Herbert A. Bevard

★ St. Adalbert (Polish), Philadelphia

★ All Saints, Philadelphia

★ All Saints Chapel (1877-1977), Philadelphia

★ St. Ambrose, Philadelphia

★ St. Anselm, Philadelphia

★ Ascension of Our Lord, Philadelphia

★ St. Athanasius, Philadelphia

★ St. Bartholomew, Philadelphia

★ St. Benedict, Philadelphia

★ St. Bernard, Philadelphia

★ St. Bridget of Sweden, Philadelphia

★ St. Cecilia, Philadelphia

★ Christ the King, Philadelphia

★ St. Christopher, Philadelphia

★ St. Dominic, Philadelphia

★ St. Francis of Assisi, Philadelphia

★ St. George (Lithuanian), Philadelphia

★ St. Helena, Philadelphia

★ St. Henry (German) (1916-1993), Philadelphia

★ Holy Angels, Philadelphia

★ Holy Child (1909-1993), Philadelphia

★ Holy Cross, Philadelphia

★ Holy Family, Philadelphia

★ Holy Innocents, Philadelphia

★ St. Hugh of Cluny, Philadelphia

★ Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia

★ Immaculate Heart of Mary, Philadelphia

★ Incarnation of Our Lord, Philadelphia

★ St. Jerome, Philadelphia

★ St. Joachim, Philadelphia

★ St. Joan of Arc, Philadelphia

★ St. John Cantius (Polish), Philadelphia

★ St. John the Baptist, Philadelphia

★ St. Josaphat (Polish), Philadelphia

★ St. Katherine of Siena, Philadelphia

★ St. Ladislaus (Polish) (1906-2003), Philadelphia

★ St. Leo, Philadelphia

★ St. Lucy (Italian), Philadelphia

★ St. Madeleine Sophie, Philadelphia

★ St. Martha, Philadelphia

★ St. Martin of Tours, Philadelphia

★ St. Mary of the Assumption (German), Philadelphia

★ Mater Dolorosa (Italian), Philadelphia

★ Maternity B.V.M, Philadelphia

★ St. Matthew, Philadelphia

★ Mother of Divine Grace (Italian), Philadelphia

★ Nativity B.V.M., Philadelphia

★ Our Lady Help of Christians (German), Philadelphia

★ Our Lady of Calvary, Philadelphia

★ Our Lady of Consolation, Philadelphia

★ Our Lady of Hope, (now on Holy Child's property) Philadelphia

★ Our Lady of Pompeii (Italian) (1914-1993), Philadelphia

★ Our Lady of Ransom, Philadelphia

★ Our Lady of the Holy Souls (1909-1993), Philadelphia

★ Our Mother of Consolation, Philadelphia

★ St. Raymond of Peñafort, Philadelphia

★ Resurrection of Our Lord, Philadelphia

★ St. Stephen (1843-1993), Philadelphia

★ St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Philadelphia

★ St. Timothy, Philadelphia

★ St. Veronica, Philadelphia

★ St. Vincent de Paul, Philadelphia

★ St. William, Philadelphia

Philadelphia North High Schools

★ Cardinal Dougherty High School

★ Father Judge High School

★ St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls

★ Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls

★ Northeast Catholic High School

★ Archbishop Ryan High School

Philadelphia South - Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Sullivan

★ Cathedral-Basilica of SS. Peter & Paul, Philadelphia

★ St. Agatha-St. James Major, Philadelphia

★ St. Agnes-St. John Nepomucene (Slovak), Philadelphia

★ St. Aloysius (German) (1894-2003), Philadelphia

★ St. Andrew (Lithuanian), Philadelphia

★ St. Anne, Philadelphia

★ Annunciation B.V.M., Philadelphia

★ St. Anthony of Padua (Italian) (1886-1999), Philadelphia

★ Assumption B.V.M. (1845-1995), Philadelphia

★ St. Augustine, Philadelphia

★ St. Barbara, Philadelphia

★ St. Barnabas, Philadelphia

★ St. Bonaventure (1889-1993), Philadelphia

★ St. Callistus, Philadelphia

★ St. Casimir (Lithuanian), Philadelphia

★ St. Charles Borromeo, Philadelphia

★ St. Clement (1865-2004), Philadelphia

★ St. Columba (1895-1993), Philadelphia

★ St. Cyprian, Philadelphia

★ Divine Mercy, Philadelphia

★ St. Donato (Italian), Philadelphia

★ St. Edmond, Philadelphia

★ St. Edward the Confessor (1865-1993), Philadelphia

★ Epiphany of Our Lord, Philadelphia

★ St. Francis de Sales, Philadelphia

★ St. Francis Xavier (The Philadelphia Oratory), Philadelphia

★ St. Gabriel, Philadelphia

★ Gesu, Church of the (1868-1993), Philadelphia

★ Good Shepherd (1925-2004), Philadelphia

★ St. Hedwig (Polish) (1907-2000), Philadelphia

★ Holy Name of Jesus, Philadelphia

★ Holy Spirit, Philadelphia

★ Holy Trinity (German), Philadelphia

★ St. Ignatius of Loyola, Philadelphia

★ Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia

★ St. Irenæus (1966-2004), Philadelphia

★ St. John the Evangelist, Philadelphia

★ King of Peace (Italian) (1926-2004), Philadelphia

★ St. Laurentius (Polish), Philadelphia

★ St. Malachy, Philadelphia

★ St. Martin de Porres, Philadelphia

★ St. Mary Magdalen De Pazzi (Italian) (1852-2000), Philadelphia

★ St. Mary of Czestochowa (Polish) (1927-2000), Philadelphia

★ St. Michael, Philadelphia

★ St. Monica, Philadelphia

★ Most Blessed Sacrament, Philadelphia

★ St. Nicholas of Tolentine (Italian), Philadelphia

★ Old St. Joseph's, Philadelphia

★ Old Saint Mary's, Philadelphia

★ Our Lady of Loreto (Italian) (1932-2000), Philadelphia

★ Our Lady of Lourdes, Philadelphia

★ Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Philadelphia

★ Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Philadelphia

★ Our Mother of Sorrows, Philadelphia

★ St. Patrick, Philadelphia

★ St. Paul, Philadelphia

★ St. Peter the Apostle (German), Philadelphia

★ St. Philip Neri, Philadelphia

★ St. Richard, Philadelphia

★ St. Rita of Cascia, Philadelphia

★ St. Rose of Lima, Philadelphia

★ Sacred Heart of Jesus, Philadelphia

★ St. Carthage (1915-2000), Philadelphia

★ St. Stanislaus (Polish) (1891-2006), Philadelphia

★ Stella Maris, Philadelphia

★ St. Thomas Aquinas, Philadelphia

★ Transfiguration of Our Lord (1905-2000), Philadelphia

★ Visitation B.V.M., Philadelphia

Philadelphia South High Schools

★ John W. Hallahan High School

★ Saints John Neumann and Marie Goretti Catholic High School

★ Roman Catholic High School for Boys

★ West Philadelphia Catholic High School

Bucks County - Rev. Msgr. James Beisel

★ St. Agnes, Sellersville

★ St. Andrew, Newtown

★ St. Ann (Italian), Bristol

★ Assumption B.V.M., Feasterville

★ St. Bede the Venerable, Holland

★ St. Charles Borromeo, Cornwells Heights (Bensalem)

★ St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Jamison

★ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Eddington (Bensalem)

★ St. Ephrem, Cornwells Heights (Bensalem)

★ St. Frances Cabrini, Fairless Hills

★ Holy Trinity, Morrisville

★ St. Ignatius of Antioch, Yardley

★ Immaculate Conception B.V.M., Levittown

★ St. Isidore, Quakertown

★ St. John Bosco, Hatboro

★ St. John the Baptist, Ottsville - Revere

★ St. John the Evangelist, Lower Makefield

★ St. Joseph, Warrington

★ St. Joseph the Worker, Fallsington

★ St. Jude, Chalfont

★ St. Lawrence, Riegelsville

★ St. Mark, Bristol

★ St. Martin of Tours, New Hope

★ St. Michael the Archangel, Levittown

★ Nativity of Our Lord, Warminster

★ Our Lady of Fatima, Eddington (Bensalem)

★ Our Lady of Good Counsel, Southampton

★ Our Lady of Grace, Penndel

★ Our Lady of Guadalupe, Buckingham

★ Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Doylestown

★ Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Hilltown

★ St. Patrick Mission (1944-1979), Dublin

★ Queen of the Universe, Levittown

★ St. Robert Bellarmine, Warrington

★ St. Thomas Aquinas, Croydon

★ St. Vincent de Paul, Richboro

Bucks County High Schools

★ Conwell-Egan Catholic High School

★ Archbishop Wood Catholic High School

Chester County - Rev. Msgr. Joseph T. Marino

★ St. Agnes, West Chester

★ St. Ann, Phoenixville

★ Assumption B.V.M., West Grove

★ St. Basil the Great, Kimberton

★ St. Cecilia, Coatesville

★ St. Cornelius, Chadds Ford

★ St. Elizabeth, Upper Uwchlan

★ St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother, Avondale

★ Holy Trinity (Polish), Phoenixville

★ St. Isaac Jogues, Wayne

★ St. Joseph, Downingtown

★ St. Joseph, Spring City

★ St. Joseph (Slovak), Coatesville

★ St. Malachy, Cochranville

★ St. Mary of the Assumption, Phoenixville

★ St. Maximilian Kolbe, West Chester

★ St. Monica, Berwyn

★ St. Norbert, Paoli

★ Our Lady of Consolation, Parkesburg

★ Our Lady of the Assumption (Italian), Strafford

★ Our Lady of the Rosary, Coatesville

★ St. Patrick, Kennett Square

★ St. Patrick, Malvern

★ St. Peter, West Brandywine

★ SS. Peter and Paul, East Goshen

★ SS. Philip and James, Exton

★ Sacred Heart, Oxford

★ Sacred Heart (Slovak), Phoenixville

★ SS. Simon and Jude, West Chester

★ St. Stanislaus Kostka (Polish), Coatesville

★ St. Thomas More, South Coventry

Chester County High Schools

★ Bishop Shanahan High School

Delaware County - Rev. Msgr. John E Breslin

★ St. Alice, Upper Darby

★ St. Anastasia, Newtown Square

★ St. Andrew, Drexel Hill

★ Annunciation B.V.M., Brookline

★ St. Bernadette, Drexel Hill

★ Blessed Virgin Mary, Darby

★ St. Charles Borromeo, Drexel Hill

★ St. Cyril of Alexandria, East Lansdowne

★ St. Denis, Havertown

★ St. Dorothy, Drexel Hill

★ St. Eugene, Primos

★ St. Francis de Sales, Lenni

★ St. Francis of Assisi, Springfield

★ St. Gabriel, Norwood

★ St. George, Glenolden

★ St. Hedwig (1902-1993, Polish), Chester

★ Holy Cross, Springfield

★ Holy Saviour, Linwood

★ Holy Spirit, Sharon Hill

★ Immaculate Conception (Italian), Marcus Hook

★ Immaculate Heart of Mary(1873-1993), Chester

★ St. John Chrysostom, Wallingford

★ St. John Fisher, Boothwyn

★ St. John Neumann, Bryn Mawr

★ St. Joseph, Aston

★ St. Joseph, Collingdale

★ St. Katharine Drexel, Chester

★ St. Katharine of Siena, Wayne

★ St. Kevin, Springfield

★ St. Laurence, Highland Park

★ St. Louis, Yeadon

★ St. Madeline, Ridley Park

★ St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Essington

★ St. Mary Magdalen, Media

★ St. Michael (1842-1993), Chester

★ Nativity B.V.M., Media

★ Notre Dame de Lourdes, Swarthmore

★ Our Lady of Charity, Brookhaven

★ Our Lady of Fatima, Secane

★ Our Lady of Peace, Milmont Park

★ Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Morton

★ St. Philomena, Lansdowne

★ St. Pius X, Broomall

★ Resurrection of Our Lord (1911-1993), Chester

★ St. Robert (1922-1993), Chester

★ St. Rose of Lima, Eddystone

★ Sacred Heart (Polish), Clifton Heights

★ Sacred Heart, Manoa

★ St Anthony of Padua (1908-1993), Chester

★ St. Thomas of Villanova, Villanova

★ St. Thomas the Apostle, Chester Heights

Delaware County High Schools

★ Monsignor Bonner High School

★ Archbishop Carroll High School

★ Cardinal O'Hara High School

★ Archbishop Prendergast High School

Montgomery County - Rev. Msgr. Arthur E. Rodgers

★ St. Albert the Great, Huntingdon Valley

★ St. Aloysius, Pottstown

★ St. Alphonsus, Maple Glen

★ St. Anthony of Padua, Ambler

★ St. Augustine, Bridgeport

★ Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Limerick

★ St. Catherine of Siena, Horsham

★ St. Clare (1963-2006), Linfield

★ St. Colman, Ardmore

★ Corpus Christi, Upper Gwynedd

★ SS. Cosmas and Damian (Italian), Conshohocken

★ St. David, Willow Grove

★ St. Eleanor, Collegeville

★ Epiphany of Our Lord, Plymouth Meeting

★ St. Francis of Assisi, Norristown

★ St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother, Stowe

★ St. Genevieve, Flourtown

★ St. Gertrude, West Conshohocken

★ St. Helena, Blue Bell

★ St. Hilary of Poitiers, Rydal

★ Holy Martyrs, Oreland

★ Holy Saviour (Italian), Norristown

★ Holy Trinity (Slovak) (1899-2004), Pottstown

★ Immaculate Conception B.V.M, Jenkintown

★ St. James, Elkins Park

★ St. John Baptist Vianney, Gladwyne

★ St. John of the Cross, Roslyn

★ St. Joseph, Ambler

★ St. Joseph, Cheltenham

★ St. Justin Martyr, Narberth

★ St. Luke the Evangelist, Glenside

★ St. Margaret, Narberth

★ St. Maria Goretti, Hatfield

★ St. Mary, Conshohocken

★ St. Mary, Schwenksville

★ Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, North Wales

★ St. Matthew, Conshohocken

★ St. Matthias, Bala Cynwyd

★ Mother of Divine Providence, King of Prussia

★ Our Lady Help of Christians, Abington

★ Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Italian), Bridgeport

★ Our Mother of Good Counsel, Bryn Mawr

★ Our Mother of Sorrows (1926-2001), Bridgeport

★ St. Patrick, Norristown

★ St. Paul, Norristown

★ St. Peter (1924-2006), Pottstown

★ St. Philip Neri, Pennsburg

★ St. Philip Neri, Lafayette Hill

★ Presentation B.V.M., Cheltenham

★ Presentation B.V.M., Wynnewood

★ Queen of Peace, Ardsley

★ St. Rose of Lima, North Wales

★ Sacred Heart, Royersford

★ Sacred Heart (Polish), Swedesburg

★ Seven Dolors (1916-2003), Glenside

★ St. Stanislaus, Lansdale

★ St. Teresa of Avila, Norristown

★ St. Titus, East Norristown

★ Visitation B.V.M., Trooper

Montgomery County High Schools

★ Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School

★ Lansdale Catholic High School

★ Bishop McDevitt High School

★ St. Pius X High School

Private High Schools

Though not funded or operated by the Diocese, the following independent schools operate with the blessing and spiritual support of the Diocese:

★ Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, Villanova

★ Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Bryn Mawr

★ Devon Preparatory School, Devon

★ Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, Gwynedd Valley

★ Holy Ghost Preparatory School, Bensalem

★ La Salle College High School, Wyndmoor

★ Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern

★ Mercy Vocational High School, Philadelphia

★ Merion Mercy Academy, Merion

★ Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Flourtown

★ Nazareth Academy High School, Philadelphia

★ Saint Basil Academy, Jenkintown

★ Saint Joseph's Preparatory School, Philadelphia

★ Villa Joseph Marie High School, Holland

★ Villa Maria Academy, Malvern

Trivia

★ It is the only Metropolitan See in the United States that had two residents, Bishop John Neumann and Mother Katharine Drexel, elevated to sainthood. Philadelphia can also lay partial claim to Mother Cabrini, for whom the suburban college is named and who visited on numerous occasions. She started an orphanage and an Italian national parish that still is functioning today, St. Donato's in West Philadelphia.

★ Every Bishop, Archbishop, or Cardinal-Archbishop who reigned before 1961 has had a secondary (high) school named in his honor.

★ Through the tireless work of St. John Neumann the first unified system of Catholic education under a diocesan board began in Philadelphia in 1852.

★ Philadelphia is site of the first free Catholic high school for boys, and girls, in the United States. The "Roman Catholic High School for Boys" was founded for the education of boys in 1890 (often referred to frequently as "Roman Catholic", occasionally as "Catholic High", or most commonly as "Roman"). The "Catholic Girls High School" was founded in 1911. Mrs. Mary McMichan, one of the schools founders, requested in her last will that the school be renamed in honor of her brother. The school became "John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School" after her death. Both schools are still in existence.

★ In 1934 Dennis, Cardinal Dougherty banned all Catholics in the archdiocese from entering a movie theater "under pain of mortal sin" due to what was then perceived as increasing licentiousness in American films. The ban was never officially lifted. (As found in, "A faith in flux," ''Philadelphia Inquirer'', Sun, Jun. 04, 2006.

★ Due to the beatification and sainthood of Bishop Neumann and a later school merger, Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School has had more name changes than any other diocesan high school. Its previous names include: South Catholic High School, Bishop John Neumann High School, Blessed John Neumann High School, and St. John Neumann High School.

See also

★ Polish Cathedral style

External links

★ Archdiocese of Philadelphia Website

★ Roman Catholic High School

★ John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School

★ Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School

★ Listing on Catholic-Hierarchy.Org

★ Coat of Arms of His Eminence Justin, Cardinal Rigali