Diocese of Richmond
The Diocese of Richmond, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese encompassing most of Virginia in the United States. Founded in 1820 by Pope Pius VII, it is led by Bishop Barry C. Knestout as of 2018. As part of the Province of Baltimore, the diocese serves a Catholic community of over 250,000 across 146 parishes and 24 missions in a historically Protestant region. A notable aspect is its 2020 bicentennial celebration, which highlighted its enduring legacy as one of the oldest U.S. dioceses.
Stored: Diocese of Richmond
| Diocese: Diocese of Richmond | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin Rite |
| Type: | suffragan diocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Baltimore |
| Suffragan Dioceses: | |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | Archdiocese of Baltimore |
| Country: | United States |
| Region: | Virginia |
| Bishop: | Barry C. Knestout |
| Website: | https://richmonddiocese.org |
| Newspaper: | https://www.catholicvirginian.org |
| Catholic Percentage: | 6.0% |
| Catholic Elementary Schools: | 24 |
| Catholic High Schools: | 5 |
| Deaneries: | 8 |
| Priests: | 160 |
| Existence: | 1820– |
| Predecessor Diocese: | Archdiocese of Baltimore |
| Successor Diocese: | Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, Diocese of Arlington |
| Catholic Hospitals: | 3 |
| Rating: | 3.5 |
Establishment
The Diocese of Richmond was established on July 11, 1820, by Pope Pius VII, separating the territory of Virginia, including present-day West Virginia, from the Archdiocese of Baltimore to serve a growing Catholic population in a largely Protestant region. It was created as one of the earliest U.S. dioceses to address the needs of Catholic immigrants and missionaries.[1]
History
Early Years
Founded in 1820 under Bishop Patrick Kelly, the diocese initially covered all of Virginia and West Virginia. Early bishops faced challenges in a Protestant-dominated region, focusing on establishing parishes and schools.[2]
Modern Era
In 1850, the creation of the Diocese of Wheeling (now Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston) reduced Richmond’s territory, and in 1974, the Diocese of Arlington was formed from its northern counties.[3] The diocese has grown to over 250,000 Catholics by 2025, boosted by migration and conversions, with over 650 new Catholics received at the 2025 Easter Vigil.[4]
Geography
The Diocese of Richmond spans 74 counties and 7 independent cities in Virginia, excluding Accomack and Northampton Counties (part of the Diocese of Wilmington) and northern counties (part of the Diocese of Arlington), including:
- Albemarle County
- Alleghany County
- Amelia County
- Amherst County
- Appomattox County
- Augusta County
- Bath County
- Bedford County
- Bland County
- Botetourt County
- Brunswick County
- Buchanan County
- Buckingham County
- Campbell County
- Caroline County
- Carroll County
- Charles City County
- Charlotte County
- Chesterfield County
- Clarke County
- Craig County
- Culpeper County
- Cumberland County
- Dickenson County
- Dinwiddie County
- Essex County
- Fluvanna County
- Franklin County
- Frederick County
- Giles County
- Gloucester County
- Goochland County
- Grayson County
- Greene County
- Greensville County
- Halifax County
- Hanover County
- Henrico County
- Henry County
- Highland County
- Isle of Wight County
- James City County
- King and Queen County
- King George County
- King William County
- Lancaster County
- Lee County
- Louisa County
- Lunenburg County
- Madison County
- Mathews County
- Mecklenburg County
- Middlesex County
- Montgomery County
- Nelson County
- New Kent County
- Northumberland County
- Nottoway County
- Orange County
- Page County
- Patrick County
- Pittsylvania County
- Powhatan County
- Prince Edward County
- Prince George County
- Pulaski County
- Rappahannock County
- Richmond County
- Roanoke County
- Rockbridge County
- Rockingham County
- Russell County
- Scott County
- Shenandoah County
- Smyth County
- Southampton County
- Spotsylvania County
- Stafford County
- Surry County
- Sussex County
- Tazewell County
- Warren County
- Washington County
- Westmoreland County
- Wise County
- Wythe County
- York County
- Independent Cities: Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach
It is part of the Province of Baltimore.[5]
Mother Church
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond, a Romanesque Revival structure completed in 1906, serves as the diocese’s mother church. It is a historic landmark known for its ornate interior and diocesan liturgies.[6]
Leadership
Current Bishop
Barry C. Knestout has served as bishop since January 12, 2018. A former auxiliary bishop of Archdiocese of Washington, he focuses on evangelization and ecumenical dialogue.[7]
Auxiliary Bishops
The Diocese of Richmond currently has no auxiliary bishops.[2]
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Kelly | 1820–1822 | First bishop; resigned due to jurisdictional disputes. |
| Richard V. Whelan | 1841–1850 | Transferred to Diocese of Wheeling. |
| John McGill | 1850–1872 | Oversaw Civil War challenges; died in office. |
| James Gibbons | 1872–1877 | Transferred to Archdiocese of Baltimore; later cardinal. |
| John J. Keane | 1878–1888 | Resigned to lead Catholic University. |
| Augustine Van de Vyver | 1889–1911 | Died in office. |
| Denis J. O’Connell | 1912–1926 | Resigned. |
| Andrew J. Brennan | 1926–1945 | Retired. |
| Peter L. Ireton | 1945–1958 | Died in office. |
| John J. Russell | 1958–1973 | Retired. |
| Walter F. Sullivan | 1974–2003 | Retired. |
| Francis X. DiLorenzo | 2004–2017 | Died in office. |
Theological and Cultural Orientation
The Diocese of Richmond leans slightly conservative (rating: 3.5). It offers Latin Masses weekly in select parishes (rating: 4), balances traditional teachings like pro-life advocacy with social justice outreach such as immigration and poverty programs (rating: 3), and is led by Bishop Knestout, who promotes evangelization with a moderate stance (rating: 3.5).[8]
Statistics
The diocese covers 33,000 square miles (85,470 km²), serves approximately 250,000 registered Catholics across 146 parishes and 24 missions, and has a total population of about 4,200,000.[9]
Religious Communities
Benedictine Monks
The Benedictine Monks operate schools and retreat centers. Address: 12829 River Rd, Richmond, VA 23238.[10][11]
Sisters of Bon Secours
The Sisters of Bon Secours manage healthcare services. Address: 1505 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104.[10][12]
Parishes
| Diocese of Richmond |
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
The Diocese of Richmond serves 146 parishes and 24 missions across 8 deaneries, covering most of Virginia. It includes diverse parishes with Spanish and Vietnamese-language Masses.[13]
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
The diocese manages 29 schools:
| School Name | City | Type | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Saints Catholic School | Richmond | Elementary | All Saints | |
| Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School | Powhatan | Elementary | Blessed Sacrament Huguenot | |
| Charlottesville Catholic School | Charlottesville | Elementary | Charlottesville Catholic | |
| Christ the King Catholic School | Norfolk | Elementary | Christ the King | |
| Holy Cross Catholic School | Lynchburg | Elementary | Holy Cross | |
| Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School | Richmond | Elementary | Our Lady of Lourdes | |
| Our Lady of Mount Carmel School | Newport News | Elementary | Our Lady of Mount Carmel | |
| Peninsula Catholic High School | Newport News | High School | Peninsula Catholic | |
| Portsmouth Catholic Regional School | Portsmouth | Elementary | Portsmouth Catholic | |
| Roanoke Catholic School | Roanoke | Elementary | Roanoke Catholic | |
| Sacred Heart Catholic School | Danville | Elementary | Sacred Heart | |
| St. Anne Catholic School | Bristol | Elementary | St. Anne | |
| St. Benedict Catholic School | Richmond | Elementary | St. Benedict | |
| St. Bridget Catholic School | Richmond | Elementary | St. Bridget | |
| St. Edward-Epiphany Catholic School | Richmond | Elementary | St. Edward-Epiphany | |
| St. Gregory the Great Catholic School | Virginia Beach | Elementary | St. Gregory | |
| St. John Neumann Academy | Blacksburg | Elementary | St. John Neumann | |
| St. John the Apostle Catholic School | Virginia Beach | Elementary | St. John the Apostle | |
| St. Joseph Catholic School | Petersburg | Elementary | St. Joseph | |
| St. Mary Catholic School | Richmond | Elementary | St. Mary | |
| St. Mary Star of the Sea School | Hampton | Elementary | St. Mary Star of the Sea | |
| St. Matthew’s Catholic School | Virginia Beach | Elementary | St. Matthew’s | |
| St. Patrick Catholic School | Norfolk | Elementary | St. Patrick | |
| St. Pius X Catholic School | [[Norfolk, Virginia] | Norfolk | Elementary | St. Pius X |
| Star of the Sea Catholic School | Virginia Beach | Elementary | Star of the Sea | |
| Benedictine Seminary Preparatory | Richmond | High School | Benedictine | |
| Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School | Virginia Beach | High School | Bishop Sullivan | |
| Bishop Ireton High School | Alexandria | High Schools | Bishop Ireton | |
| Walsingham Academy | Williamsburg | High School | Walsingham |
Community Outreach
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Richmond provides refugee resettlement, and counseling, serving over 40,000 people annually.[15]
Notable Events or Figures
- In 2020, the diocese celebrated its bicentennial, highlighting its history through events and exhibits across Virginia.[16]
- Bishop James Gibbons, who served from 1872 to 1877, became a cardinal and influential figure in American Catholicism.[2]
References
- ↑ "Brief History of the Diocese". https://richmonddiocese.org/about/brief-history-of-the-diocese. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Diocese of Richmond". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/drich.html. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Brief History of the Diocese". https://richmonddiocese.org/about/brief-history-of-the-diocese. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Easter Vigil Conversions". https://www.catholicvirginian.org/2025-easter-vigil. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Parish Directory". https://richmonddiocese.org/parishes. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Cathedral History". https://cathedralofsacredheart.com/history. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Bishop Barry C. Knestout". https://richmonddiocese.org/bishop-knestout. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "About the Diocese". https://richmonddiocese.org/about. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Diocesan Statistics". https://richmonddiocese.org/about/statistics. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Religious Communities". https://richmonddiocese.org/religious-communities. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Home". https://benedictinemonks.org. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Home". https://bonsecours.org. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Parish Directory". https://richmonddiocese.org/parishes. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Catholic Schools". https://discovercatholicschools.org. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Our Services". https://services.catholiccharitiesrichmond.org. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
- ↑ "Diocese of Richmond Bicentennial". https://richmonddiocese.org/bicentennial. Retrieved 2025-06-05.