Diocese of Arlington: Difference between revisions

|Website=https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/

The Diocese of Arlington was erected on May 28, 1974, by Pope Paul VI, separating the northern portion of Virginia from the Diocese of Richmond to accommodate the growing Catholic population in the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/darli.html |title=Diocese of Arlington |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref>

 

The territory of the diocese was originally part of the Diocese of Richmond, established in 1820. Rapid population growth in Northern Virginia following World War II led to the creation of the new diocese in 1974. The first bishop, Thomas Jerome Welsh, oversaw initial development, including new parishes and the diocesan newspaper, the Arlington Catholic Herald. Subsequent bishops continued expansion amid suburban growth near Washington, D.C. In recent years, the diocese has experienced notable vocational increases, with large ordination classes reflecting its vitality.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Arlington |title=Diocese of Arlington |website=Wikipedia |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/about-us/the-diocese/our-history/ |title=History of the Diocese of Arlington |website=arlingtondiocese.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref>

 

 

It is part of the [[Ecclesiastical Province of Baltimore]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/darli.html |title=Diocese of Arlington |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/ |title=Catholic Diocese of Arlington |website=arlingtondiocese.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref>

The [[Cathedral of St. Thomas More]] in Arlington, a modern structure renovated and reopened in 2024 with added traditional elements such as stained-glass windows and devotional shrines, serves as the diocese’s mother church.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cathedralstm.org/ |title=Cathedral of St. Thomas More |website=cathedralstm.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref>

== Leadership ==

=== Current Bishop ===

Michael F. Burbidge has served as bishop since 2016. Previously bishop of Raleigh, he is known for his emphasis on pro-life issues and pastoral communication.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bburbidge.html |title=Bishop Michael Francis Burbidge |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref>

=== Auxiliary Bishops ===

The diocese currently has no auxiliary bishops.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/darli.html |title=Diocese of Arlington |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref>

=== Past Bishops ===

! Name

! Tenure

! Notes

| Thomas Jerome Welsh

| 1974–1983

| First bishop; transferred to Allentown.

| John Richard Keating

| 1983–1998

| Died in office.

| Paul S. Loverde

| 1999–2016

| Retired.

| Michael F. Burbidge

| 2016–present

| Incumbent.

|}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/darli.html |title=Diocese of Arlington |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref>

 

== Theological and Cultural Orientation ==

The diocese leans strongly conservative (rating: 4.5), with regulated availability of the Traditional Latin Mass in select locations following Vatican guidelines, a strong emphasis on traditional moral teachings such as pro-life advocacy, and leadership known for defending doctrinal fidelity.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/2024/07/19/vatican-renews-permission-for-celebration-of-traditional-latin-mass-in-the-diocese-of-arlington-in-accordance-with-traditionis-custodes/ |title=Vatican renews permission for Traditional Latin Mass |website=arlingtondiocese.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Arlington |title=Diocese of Arlington |website=Wikipedia |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref>

 

== Statistics ==

As of 2025, the diocese covers 6,541 square miles (16,935 km²), serves approximately 431,100 registered Catholics across 70 parishes and 6 missions, with a total population of about 3,381,000, and has 301 priests.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/2025/12/18/diocese-of-arlington-releases-2025-annual-report |title=Diocese of Arlington releases 2025 Annual Report |website=arlingtondiocese.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/darli.html |title=Diocese of Arlington |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref>

 

== Religious Communities ==

Religious communities active in the diocese include various orders supporting education, healthcare, and parish ministries. Specific details are available through the diocesan directory.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/ |title=Catholic Diocese of Arlington |website=arlingtondiocese.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref>

== Parishes ==

The diocese operates numerous Catholic schools, including elementary and high schools, with a focus on faith formation and academic excellence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/ |title=Catholic Diocese of Arlington |website=arlingtondiocese.org |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref>

=== Community Outreach ===

The diocese celebrated its Golden Jubilee preparations in recent years and ordained its second-largest priestly class of 12 in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aleteia.org/2025/07/05/this-diocese-just-ordained-12-new-priests/ |title=This diocese just ordained 12 new priests! |website=Aleteia |accessdate=2025-12-20}}</ref>

== References ==

* [https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/ Official website]

* [https://www.catholicherald.com/ Arlington Catholic Herald]

* [https://www.cathedralstm.org/ Cathedral of St. Thomas More]

[[Category:Catholic dioceses in the United States]]