Diocese of Fairbanks
| Diocese of Fairbanks | |
|---|---|
| Type | Suffragan diocese |
| Country | United States |
| Region | Alaska |
| Bishop | Steven J. Maekawa |
| Website | https://dioceseoffairbanks.org |
| Newspaper | https://dioceseoffairbanks.org/diocesan-magazine |
The Diocese of Fairbanks is a Roman Catholic diocese located in the northern part of Alaska, United States. Initially, it was under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Vancouver Island when Alaska was purchased by the United States from Russia in 1867.
Over time, it evolved from the Prefecture Apostolic of Alaska (1894–1917), to the Vicariate Apostolic of Alaska (1917–1951), then the Vicariate Apostolic of Northern Alaska (1951–1962), before becoming the Diocese of Fairbanks in 1962 under Pope John XXIII.
Size
The diocese covers an extensive area of 409,849 square miles, making it one of the largest dioceses in terms of territory in the United States.
Cathedral
The diocese is headquartered in Fairbanks, with Sacred Heart Cathedral serving as its mother church.