Pennsylvania: Difference between revisions

'''Pennsylvania''' is a state in the northeastern [[United States]], known for its historical significance as one of the original thirteen colonies, diverse geography ranging from the Appalachian Mountains to urban centers, and a rich Catholic heritage shaped by early [[European]] immigration and missionary activity. Spanning approximately 119,283 km², it has an estimated population of around 13 million (as of recent U.S. Census estimates).<ref name="wiki-pa">{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania - Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>

Catholicism, introduced in the early 18th century primarily through [[Jesuit]] missionaries, remains a significant minority religion, with recent data indicating that about 22% of adults identify as Catholic (according to the Pew Research Center's 2023-24 Religious Landscape Study).<ref name="pew-pa">{{Cite web |title=People in Pennsylvania |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/state/pennsylvania/ |publisher=Pew Research Center |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>

The state comprises eight [[Latin Rite]] dioceses (one [[archdiocese]] and seven [[suffragan dioceses]]) within the [[Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia]], forming a vibrant Catholic community with notable [[basilica]]s, historical missions, and institutions.<ref name="ency-pa">{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania, Catholic Church in |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/pennsylvania-catholic-church |publisher=Encyclopedia.com |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>

==Geography ==

[[Pennsylvania]] is located in the northeastern [[United States]], bordered by [[New York]] to the north, [[New Jersey]] to the east, [[Delaware]] and [[Maryland]] to the southeast, [[West Virginia]] to the southwest, and [[Ohio]] to the west, with [[Lake Erie]] providing a short northern shoreline. Covering 119,283 km², its terrain includes the Pocono and Allegheny Mountains, fertile valleys, and urban-industrial areas like [[Philadelphia]] and [[Pittsburgh]]. This geography has facilitated Catholic settlement patterns, with early missions in rural south-central areas and later urban parishes serving immigrant communities.<ref name="wiki-pa" />

[[Pennsylvania]] was founded in 1681 by [[William Penn]] as a Quaker colony promoting religious tolerance, which allowed early Catholic presence despite colonial-era restrictions elsewhere. Catholicism grew through German, Irish, Polish, and Italian immigration in the 18th-19th centuries, leading to the establishment of dioceses starting with the [[Diocese of Philadelphia]] in 1808.<ref name="ency-pa" />

[[Pennsylvania]] has a population of approximately 13 million, with Catholics estimated at around 22% (roughly 2.86 million adults, per Pew 2023-24 data; total including children may vary slightly by source). Catholicism is a minority amid Protestant traditions, "nones," and others, with trends of secularization affecting attendance.<ref name="pew-pa" />

==Catholic church ==

The [[Catholic Church]] in [[Pennsylvania]] consists of eight Latin Rite dioceses (one archdiocese and seven suffragan sees) under the Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia, with leadership through the [[Pennsylvania Catholic Conference]]. It includes hundreds of parishes, schools, hospitals, and charitable institutions.<ref name="pcc">{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania Catholic Conference » About The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference |url=https://www.pacatholic.org/about-the-pcc |publisher=Pennsylvania Catholic Conference |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>

*[[Archdiocese of Philadelphia]] (metropolitan see, covering Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia counties)

*[[Diocese of Erie]]

*[[Diocese of Scranton]]<ref name="wiki-erie">{{Cite web |title=Diocese of Erie - Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Erie |publisher=Wikipedia |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref><ref name="ency-pa" />

==Introduction of Catholicism==

Catholicism was introduced in the early 18th century (1720s-1730s), with [[Jesuit]] missionaries establishing missions such as Conewago in south-central [[Pennsylvania]] (1720s) for German and other settlers, and [[St. Joseph's Church (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)]] in [[Philadelphia]] (1733) by Jesuit Father Joseph Greaton.<ref name="hbg-growth">{{Cite web |title=Growth of Catholicism |url=https://www.hbgdiocese.org/about/growth-of-catholicism |publisher=Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref><ref name="ency-pa" />

==Key historical events==

*[[Jesuit]] missions at Conewago (1720s) and [[Philadelphia]] (1730s).

*Erection of [[Diocese of Philadelphia]] (1808).

*Growth through 19th-century immigration.

*Establishment of other dioceses (e.g., [[Diocese of Pittsburgh]] 1843, [[Diocese of Erie]] 1853, [[Diocese of Harrisburg]] 1868).

*Nativist riots in [[Philadelphia]] (1844) affecting Catholic churches.<ref name="ency-pa" />

==Catholicism status==

Catholicism is a significant minority religion in [[Pennsylvania]], with strong institutional presence but facing secularization and declining attendance in some areas.<ref name="pew-pa" />

==Administrative structure==

[[Pennsylvania]] is divided into 67 counties for civil governance. The Catholic dioceses align partially with these but follow ecclesiastical boundaries.<ref name="wiki-pa" />

==Cultural influence==

===Festivals and traditions===

===Education and charity===

===Art and architecture===

==Notable Catholic sites ==

===Pilgrimage sites===

[[Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Diocese of Harrisburg)]], one of the oldest continuous Catholic sites.<ref name="hbg-growth" />

===Historical churches===

[[Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Archdiocese of Philadelphia)]]; various basilicas in dioceses.

==Saints and blesseds==

===Patron saints===

===Associated saints and blesseds===

Figures like

*[[Saint John Neumann]] (Bishop of [[Philadelphia]], canonized 1977)

*[[Saint Katharine Drexel]] (Philadelphia native, canonized 2000)

*[[Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos]] (worked in Pittsburgh area)<ref name="ency-pa" />

==Challenges to Catholicism==

==Social and political influence==

The [[Pennsylvania Catholic Conference]] advocates on life, education, and social justice issues aligned with [[Catholic Social Teaching]].<ref name="pcc" />

==Fun facts==  

*[[Pennsylvania]] hosts the [[Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Conewago)]], site of the oldest [[Jesuit]] mission in continuous use in the U.S. (from the 1720s).<ref name="hbg-growth" />

*[[Saint John Neumann]], the only male U.S. saint not born in the U.S., served as Bishop of [[Philadelphia]] (1852-1860) and is buried in the city.<ref name="ency-pa" />

* The 1844 Philadelphia Nativist Riots targeted Catholic churches, leading to destruction but also galvanizing Catholic unity.<ref name="ency-pa" />

* [[Pennsylvania]] is home to [[Villanova University]] (founded 1842 by [[Augustinians]]), one of the oldest Catholic universities in the U.S., and alma mater of [[Pope Leo XIV]] (elected 2025, the first U.S.-born pope and first Augustinian pontiff).<ref name="villanova-leo">{{Cite web |title=Celebrating Pope Leo XIV |url=https://www1.villanova.edu/university/pope-leo-xiv.html |publisher=Villanova University |access-date=2026-01-27}}</ref>

* The [[Diocese of Erie]] includes unique rural missions, while [[Philadelphia]] has the first free diocesan high school in the U.S. (Roman Catholic High School, 1890).<ref name="wiki-erie" />

*[[Saint Katharine Drexel]] (born in [[Philadelphia]]) founded orders serving Native Americans and African Americans.<ref name="ency-pa" />

==Dynamic content ==

===Dioceses===

===Populated places===

===Shrines===

==References==

==External links==

*[https://www.pacatholic.org Pennsylvania Catholic Conference]

*[https://gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/US-PA.htm GCatholic.org: Pennsylvania dioceses] (Note: Access may vary; consult for updates)