The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix is one of the fastest growing dioceses in the United States under the guidance of Bishop John Dolan, with more than 2 million Catholics making this diverse, vibrant, and faith-filled diocese their home.
Established on Dec. 2, 1969, by Pope Paul VI, the diocese is comprised of nearly 44,000 square miles, including the counties of Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, and Coconino (excluding the territorial boundaries of the Navajo Indian Reservation), and also includes the Gila River Indian Reservation in Pinal County. The diverse diocese has representation from the Hispanic, Filipino, Native American, Polish, Vietnamese, and African communities.
The history of the Catholic Church in Arizona is synonymous with the growth and history of the State of Arizona. Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries were the forerunners of the European civilization which brought European culture and Catholicism to the Southwest.
The beginning of the Catholic Church in Arizona can be traced back to the year 1539 — 47 years after Columbus discovered the Americas. A Franciscan friar named Padre Marcos de Niza traveled up through the Gulf of California into a northern territory, which had never been explored. He planted a cross on the land and named it “The New Kingdom of St. Francis.” As a result, Padre de Niza is called the discoverer of Arizona and New Mexico.
Historic Visitors
The 1980s brought two historic events to the Diocese of Phoenix, as Pope Saint John Paul II visited Phoenix in September 1987 and Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta visited in February 1989. The pope arrived in Phoenix on the morning of Sept. 14, 1987, and made his way to the pediatric ward at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center where over 5,000 Phoenicians looked on. After visiting with sick children, Pope Saint John Paul II held a Mass at St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix, held a Catholic Health Association meeting, and spoke to local clergy from the Diocese of Phoenix. By early evening, the pope made a stop at the Tekakwitha Conference where he addressed 16,000 Native Americans. He finished the day at Arizona State’s Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., where he celebrated Mass for over 75,000 people.
During Saint Mother Teresa’s three-day stay, she formally established Gift of Mary Home, a local foundation for her order, the Missionaries of Charity. She also delivered messages of peace and service to thousands of Arizonans with prayer services at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, Mt. Claret Retreat Center and Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix.
Innovative Ministries
In 2019, the Diocese of Phoenix opened Nazareth House, a two-year, college level program for seminary studies in Phoenix. In October 2024, the program began expansion into the fully local Nazareth Seminary. Nazareth Seminary has a household model of formation and education where seminarians and their formators live, pray, study, cook and care for the home together. The local program allows men to get to know the cultures, parishes and people they may one day serve as priests. The seminary consists of five formation homes: St. Agnes House in Phoenix, Our Lady of Perpetual Help House in Scottsdale, Ariz., St. Mary’s House in downtown Phoenix, St. Gregory House in Phoenix and Ss. Simon and Jude House in Phoenix.
Most recently, Bishop John Dolan opened an Office of Mental Health Ministry on Dec. 13, 2022, one of the first in the country for a Catholic diocese. His efforts have been recognized nationally and internationally, including acknowledgment by the Vatican in Rome. Locally, the impact of the Office of Mental Health Ministry, which places an emphasis on education, accompaniment and advocacy, has been instrumental in breaking stigma and building community awareness and connection. Many of the 94 parishes in the diocese have received Mental Health First Aid training and have established space for individuals to find accompaniment. An annual Mass of Remembrance is also held to honor loved ones who have died by suicide.
The Diocese of Phoenix employs nearly 4,000 people who work in churches, schools, charities, cemeteries and other ministries of the Church.
Quick Statistics
Established: December 2, 1969
Diocesan Patroness: Our Lady of Guadalupe
Cathedral: Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Avenue, Phoenix
Basilica: St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix
Diocesan Pastoral Center: 400 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix
Diocesan Boundaries: 43,967 square miles including: Maricopa County, Mohave County, Yavapai County, Coconino County (except Navajo Indian Reservation), and the Gila River Indian Reservation in Pinal County.
Total Catholic Population: Over 2 million estimated individuals
Present Bishop:
Most Reverend John P. Dolan
Installed: August 2, 2022
Auxiliary Bishop:
Most Reverend Eduardo A. Nevares
Episcopal Ordination: July 19, 2010
Auxiliary Bishop:
Most Reverend Peter Dai Bui
Episcopal Ordination: February 17, 2026
Former Bishops:
Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted
Installed: December 20, 2003
Retired: June 10, 2022
Most Reverend Thomas J. O’Brien
Installed: January 18, 1982
Retired: June 17, 2003
Died: August 26, 2018
Most Reverend James S. Rausch
Installed: March 22, 1977
Died: May 18, 1981
Most Reverend Edward A. McCarthy
Installed: December 2, 1969
Transferred to Miami, Florida: July 7, 1976
Died: June 7, 2005
