Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia Totally Explained

Everything about Archdiocese Of Philadelphia totally explained

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia covers the City and County of Philadelphia as well as Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
   It is the Metropolitan See of the Ecclesiastical Province of Pennsylvania, which includes the suffragan bishopric sees of Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Scranton.
   The seat of the archbishop is the Cathedral-Basilica of SS. Peter & Paul. In addition to being patrons of the cathedral, SS. Peter & Paul are also the patrons of the archdiocese.
   As of a 2004, the archdiocese numbered 1,486,058 Catholics, which was 38.4% of the total estimated population.

History

Pope Pius VII erected the Diocese of Philadelphia on April 8 1808 from territories of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Originally the diocese included all of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and 7 counties of New Jersey. The diocese lost territory with the creation of the Diocese of Pittsburgh on July 29, 1853 and the dioceses of Harrisburg, Scranton and Wilmington on March 3, 1868. The diocese was raised to the dignity of an archdiocese on February 12 1875. On January 21, 1961 the archdiocese lost territory with the erection of the Diocese of Allentown.

Ordinaries of the See of Philadelphia

Ordinaries of the See of Philadelphia, and their terms of service:

The Most Reverend Michael Francis Egan, O.F.M., Bishop (1808-1814)
The Most Reverend Henry Conwell, Bishop (1819-1842)
The Most Reverend Francis Patrick Kenrick, Bishop (1842-1851)
The Most Reverend St. John Nepomucene Neumann, C.SS.R., Bishop (1852-1860)
The Most Reverend James Frederick Bryan Wood, Bishop (1860-1875), Archbishop (1875-1883)
The Most Reverend Patrick John Ryan, Archbishop (1884-1911)
The Most Reverend Edmond Francis Prendergast, Archbishop (1911-1918)
His Eminence Dennis Joseph Cardinal Dougherty, Archbishop (1918-1951)
His Eminence John Francis Cardinal O'Hara, C.S.C., Archbishop (1951-1960)
His Eminence John Joseph Cardinal Krol, Archbishop (1961-1988), Archbishop Emeritus (1988-1996)
His Eminence Anthony Joseph Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop (1988-2003), Archbishop Emeritus (2003-present)
His Eminence Justin Francis Cardinal Rigali, Archbishop (2003-present)

Current Auxiliary Bishops

As of January 3, 2007 there are six auxiliary bishops:

The Most Reverend Martin N. Lohmuller, D.D., J.C.D.(Retired)

The Most Reverend Louis A. DeSimone, D.D.(Retired)

The Most Reverend Robert P. Maginnis, D.D., V.G.

The Most Reverend Joseph R. Cistone, D.D., V.G.

The Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, D.D., V.G.

The Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, D.D., S.T.L., V.G.

The parish structure

The diocese is sub-divided into 6 Vicariates, each administered by a Regional Vicar. (Presently each Vicar holds the honorary title of Monsignor).
Present Vicariates and their Administrators:

Philadelphia North - Rev. Msgr. Herbert A. Bevard

St. Adalbert (Polish), Philadelphia

All Saints, Philadelphia

All Saints Chapel (1877-1977), Philadelphia

St. Ambrose, Philadelphia

St. Anselm, Philadelphia

Ascension of Our Lord, Philadelphia

St. Athanasius, Philadelphia

St. Bartholomew, Philadelphia

St. Benedict, Philadelphia

St. Bernard, Philadelphia

St. Bridget of Sweden, Philadelphia

St. Cecilia, Philadelphia

Christ the King, Philadelphia

St. Christopher, Philadelphia

St. Dominic, Philadelphia

St. Francis of Assisi, Philadelphia

St. George (Lithuanian), Philadelphia

St. Helena, Philadelphia

St. Henry (German) (1916-1993), Philadelphia

Holy Angels, Philadelphia

Holy Child (1909-1993), Philadelphia

Holy Cross, Philadelphia

Holy Family, Philadelphia

Holy Innocents, Philadelphia

St. Hugh of Cluny, Philadelphia

Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Philadelphia

Incarnation of Our Lord, Philadelphia

St. Jerome, Philadelphia

St. Joachim, Philadelphia

St. Joan of Arc, Philadelphia

St. John Cantius (Polish), Philadelphia

St. John the Baptist, Philadelphia

St. John Nuemann, Philadelphia

St. Josaphat (Polish), Philadelphia

St. Katherine of Siena, Philadelphia

St. Ladislaus (Polish) (1906-2003), Philadelphia

St. Leo, Philadelphia

St. Lucy (Italian), Philadelphia

St. Madeleine Sophie, Philadelphia

St. Martha, Philadelphia

St. Martin of Tours, Philadelphia

St. Mary of the Assumption (German), Philadelphia

Mater Dolorosa (Italian), Philadelphia

Maternity B.V.M, Philadelphia

St. Matthew, Philadelphia

Mother of Divine Grace (Italian), Philadelphia

Nativity B.V.M., Philadelphia

Our Lady Help of Christians (German), Philadelphia

Our Lady of Calvary, Philadelphia

Our Lady of Consolation, Philadelphia

Our Lady of Hope, (now on Holy Child's property) Philadelphia

Our Lady of Pompeii (Italian) (1914-1993), Philadelphia

Our Lady of Ransom, Philadelphia

Our Lady of the Holy Souls (1909-1993), Philadelphia

Our Mother of Consolation, Philadelphia

St. Raymond of Peñafort, Philadelphia

Resurrection of Our Lord Church, Philadelphia

St. Stephen (1843-1993), Philadelphia

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Philadelphia

St. Timothy, Philadelphia

St. Veronica, Philadelphia

St. Vincent de Paul, Philadelphia

St. William, Philadelphia

Philadelphia North High Schools

Cardinal Dougherty High School

Father Judge High School

St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls

Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls

Northeast Catholic High School

Archbishop Ryan High School

Philadelphia South - Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Sullivan

Cathedral-Basilica of SS. Peter & Paul, Philadelphia

St. Agatha-St. James Major, Philadelphia

St. Agnes-St. John Nepomucene (Slovak), Philadelphia

St. Aloysius (German) (1894-2003), Philadelphia

St. Andrew (Lithuanian), Philadelphia

St. Anne, Philadelphia

Annunciation B.V.M., Philadelphia

St. Anthony of Padua (Italian) (1886-1999), Philadelphia

Assumption B.V.M. (1845-1995), Philadelphia

St. Augustine, Philadelphia

St. Barbara, Philadelphia

St. Barnabas, Philadelphia

St. Bonaventure (1889-1993), Philadelphia

St. Callistus, Philadelphia

St. Casimir (Lithuanian), Philadelphia

St. Charles Borromeo, Philadelphia

St. Clement (1865-2004), Philadelphia

St. Columba (1895-1993), Philadelphia

St. Cyprian, Philadelphia

Divine Mercy, Philadelphia

St. Donato (Italian), Philadelphia

St. Edmond, Philadelphia

St. Edward the Confessor (1865-1993), Philadelphia

Epiphany of Our Lord, Philadelphia

St. Francis de Sales, Philadelphia

St. Francis Xavier (The Philadelphia Oratory), Philadelphia

St. Gabriel, Philadelphia

Gesu, Church of the (1868-1993), Philadelphia

Good Shepherd (1925-2004), Philadelphia

St. Hedwig (Polish) (1907-2000), Philadelphia

Holy Name of Jesus, Philadelphia

Holy Spirit, Philadelphia

Holy Trinity (German), Philadelphia

St. Ignatius of Loyola, Philadelphia

Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia

St. Irenæus (1966-2004), Philadelphia

St. John the Evangelist, Philadelphia

King of Peace (Italian) (1926-2004), Philadelphia

St. Laurentius (Polish), Philadelphia

St. Malachy, Philadelphia

St. Martin de Porres, Philadelphia

St. Mary Magdalen De Pazzi (Italian) (1852-2000), Philadelphia

St. Mary of Czestochowa (Polish) (1927-2000), Philadelphia

St. Michael, Philadelphia

St. Monica, Philadelphia

Most Blessed Sacrament, Philadelphia

St. Nicholas of Tolentine (Italian), Philadelphia

Old St. Joseph's Church, Philadelphia

Old Saint Mary's, Philadelphia

Our Lady of Loreto (Italian) (1932-2000), Philadelphia

Our Lady of Lourdes, Philadelphia

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Philadelphia

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Philadelphia

Our Mother of Sorrows, Philadelphia

St. Patrick, Philadelphia

St. Paul, Philadelphia

St. Peter the Apostle (German), Philadelphia

St. Philip Neri, Philadelphia

St. Richard, Philadelphia

St. Rita of Cascia, Philadelphia

St. Rose of Lima, Philadelphia

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Philadelphia

St. Carthage (1915-2000), Philadelphia

St. Stanislaus (Polish) (1891-2006), Philadelphia

Stella Maris, Philadelphia

St. Thomas Aquinas, Philadelphia

Transfiguration of Our Lord (1905-2000), Philadelphia

Visitation B.V.M., Philadelphia

Philadelphia South High Schools

John W. Hallahan High School

Saints John Neumann and Marie Goretti Catholic High School

Roman Catholic High School for Boys

West Philadelphia Catholic High School

Bucks County - Rev. Msgr. James Beisel

St. Agnes, Sellersville

St. Andrew, Newtown

St. Ann (Italian), Bristol

Assumption B.V.M., Feasterville

St. Bede the Venerable, Holland

St. Charles Borromeo, Cornwells Heights (Bensalem)

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Jamison

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Eddington (Bensalem)

St. Ephrem, Cornwells Heights (Bensalem)

St. Frances Cabrini, Fairless Hills

Holy Trinity, Morrisville

St. Ignatius of Antioch, Yardley

Immaculate Conception B.V.M., Levittown

St. Isidore, Quakertown

St. John Bosco, Hatboro

St. John the Baptist, Ottsville - Revere

St. John the Evangelist, Lower Makefield

St. Joseph, Warrington

St. Joseph the Worker, Fallsington

St. Jude, Chalfont

St. Lawrence, Riegelsville

St. Mark, Bristol

St. Martin of Tours, New Hope

St. Michael the Archangel, Levittown

Nativity of Our Lord, Warminster

Our Lady of Fatima, Eddington (Bensalem)

Our Lady of Good Counsel, Southampton

Our Lady of Grace, Penndel

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Buckingham

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Doylestown

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Hilltown

St. Patrick Mission (1944-1979), Dublin

Queen of the Universe, Levittown

St. Robert Bellarmine, Warrington

St. Thomas Aquinas, Croydon

St. Vincent de Paul, Richboro

Bucks County High Schools

Conwell-Egan Catholic High School

Archbishop Wood Catholic High School

Chester County - Rev. Msgr. Joseph T. Marino

St. Agnes, West Chester

St. Ann, Phoenixville

Assumption B.V.M., West Grove

St. Basil the Great, Kimberton

St. Cecilia, Coatesville

St. Cornelius, Chadds Ford

St. Elizabeth, Upper Uwchlan

St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother, Avondale

Holy Trinity (Polish), Phoenixville

St. Isaac Jogues, Wayne

St. Joseph, Downingtown

St. Joseph, Spring City

St. Joseph (Slovak), Coatesville

St. Malachy, Cochranville

St. Mary of the Assumption, Phoenixville

St. Maximilian Kolbe, West Chester

St. Monica, Berwyn

St. Norbert, Paoli

Our Lady of Consolation, Parkesburg

Our Lady of the Assumption (Italian), Strafford

Our Lady of the Rosary, Coatesville

St. Patrick, Kennett Square

St. Patrick, Malvern

St. Peter, West Brandywine

SS. Peter and Paul, East Goshen

SS. Philip and James, Exton

Sacred Heart, Oxford

Sacred Heart (Slovak), Phoenixville

SS. Simon and Jude, West Chester

St. Stanislaus Kostka (Polish), Coatesville

St. Thomas More, South Coventry

Chester County High Schools

Bishop Shanahan High School

Delaware County - Rev. Msgr. John E Breslin

St. Alice, Upper Darby

St. Anastasia, Newtown Square

St. Andrew, Drexel Hill

Annunciation B.V.M., Brookline

St. Bernadette, Drexel Hill

Blessed Virgin Mary, Darby

St. Charles Borromeo, Drexel Hill

St. Cyril of Alexandria, East Lansdowne

St. Denis, Havertown

St. Dorothy, Drexel Hill

St. Eugene, Primos

St. Francis de Sales, Lenni

St. Francis of Assisi, Springfield

St. Gabriel, Norwood

St. George, Glenolden

St. Hedwig (1902-1993, Polish), Chester

Holy Cross, Springfield

Holy Saviour, Linwood

Holy Spirit, Sharon Hill

Immaculate Conception (Italian), Marcus Hook

Immaculate Heart of Mary(1873-1993), Chester

St. John Chrysostom, Wallingford

St. John Fisher, Boothwyn

St. John Neumann, Bryn Mawr

St. Joseph, Aston

St. Joseph, Collingdale

St. Katharine Drexel, Chester

St. Katharine of Siena, Wayne

St. Kevin, Springfield

St. Laurence, Highland Park

St. Louis, Yeadon

St. Madeline, Ridley Park

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Essington

St. Mary Magdalen, Media

St. Michael (1842-1993), Chester

Nativity B.V.M., Media

Notre Dame de Lourdes, Swarthmore

Our Lady of Charity, Brookhaven

Our Lady of Fatima, Secane

Our Lady of Peace, Milmont Park

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Morton

St. Philomena, Lansdowne

St. Pius X, Broomall

Resurrection of Our Lord (1911-1993), Chester

St. Robert (1922-1993), Chester

St. Rose of Lima, Eddystone

Sacred Heart (Polish), Clifton Heights

Sacred Heart, Manoa

St Anthony of Padua (1908-1993), Chester

St. Thomas of Villanova, Villanova

St. Thomas the Apostle, Chester Heights

Delaware County High Schools

Monsignor Bonner High School

Archbishop Carroll High School

Cardinal O'Hara High School

Archbishop Prendergast High School

Montgomery County - Rev. Msgr. Arthur E. Rodgers

St. Albert the Great, Huntingdon Valley

St. Aloysius, Pottstown

St. Alphonsus, Maple Glen

St. Anthony of Padua, Ambler

St. Augustine, Bridgeport

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Limerick

St. Catherine of Siena, Horsham

St. Clare (1963-2006), Linfield

St. Colman, Ardmore

Corpus Christi, Upper Gwynedd

SS. Cosmas and Damian (Italian), Conshohocken

St. David, Willow Grove

St. Eleanor, Collegeville

Epiphany of Our Lord, Plymouth Meeting

St. Francis of Assisi, Norristown

St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother, Stowe

St. Genevieve, Flourtown

St. Gertrude, West Conshohocken

St. Helena, Blue Bell

St. Hilary of Poitiers, Rydal

Holy Martyrs, Oreland

Holy Saviour (Italian), Norristown

Holy Trinity (Slovak) (1899-2004), Pottstown

Immaculate Conception B.V.M, Jenkintown

St. James, Elkins Park

St. John Baptist Vianney, Gladwyne

St. John of the Cross, Roslyn

St. Joseph, Ambler

St. Joseph, Cheltenham

St. Justin Martyr, Narberth

St. Luke the Evangelist, Glenside

St. Margaret, Narberth

St. Maria Goretti, Hatfield

St. Mary, Conshohocken

St. Mary, Schwenksville

Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, North Wales

St. Matthew, Conshohocken

St. Matthias, Bala Cynwyd

Mother of Divine Providence, King of Prussia

Our Lady Help of Christians, Abington

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Italian), Bridgeport

Our Mother of Good Counsel, Bryn Mawr

Our Mother of Sorrows (1926-2001), Bridgeport

St. Patrick, Norristown

St. Paul, Norristown

St. Peter (1924-2006), Pottstown

St. Philip Neri, Pennsburg

St. Philip Neri, Lafayette Hill

Presentation B.V.M., Cheltenham

Presentation B.V.M., Wynnewood

Queen of Peace, Ardsley

St. Rose of Lima, North Wales

Sacred Heart, Royersford

Sacred Heart (Polish), Swedesburg

Seven Dolors (1916-2003), Glenside

St. Stanislaus, Lansdale

St. Teresa of Avila, Norristown

St. Titus, East Norristown

Visitation B.V.M., Trooper

Montgomery County High Schools

Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School

Lansdale Catholic High School

Bishop McDevitt High School

St. Pius X High School

Private High Schools

Though not funded or operated by the Diocese, the following independent schools operate with the blessing and spiritual support of the Diocese:

Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, Villanova

Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Bryn Mawr

Devon Preparatory School, Devon

Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, Gwynedd Valley

Holy Ghost Preparatory School, Bensalem

La Salle College High School, Wyndmoor

Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern

Mercy Vocational High School, Philadelphia

Merion Mercy Academy, Merion

Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Flourtown

Nazareth Academy High School, Philadelphia

Saint Basil Academy, Jenkintown

Saint Joseph's Preparatory School, Philadelphia

Villa Joseph Marie High School, Holland

Villa Maria Academy, Malvern

Trivia

It is the only Metropolitan See in the United States that had two residents, Bishop John Neumann and Mother Katharine Drexel, elevated to sainthood. Philadelphia can also lay partial claim to Mother Cabrini, for whom the suburban college is named and who visited on numerous occasions. She started an orphanage and an Italian national parish that still is functioning today, St. Donato's in West Philadelphia.

Every Bishop, Archbishop, or Cardinal-Archbishop who reigned before 1961 has had a secondary (high) school named in his honor.

Through the tireless work of St. John Neumann the first unified system of Catholic education under a diocesan board began in Philadelphia in 1852.

Philadelphia is site of the first free Catholic high school for boys, and girls, in the United States. The "Roman Catholic High School for Boys" was founded for the education of boys in 1890 (often referred to frequently as "Roman Catholic", occasionally as "Catholic High", or most commonly as "Roman"). The "Catholic Girls High School" was founded in 1911. Mrs. Mary McMichan, one of the schools founders, requested in her last will that the school be renamed in honor of her brother. The school became "John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School" after her death. Both schools are still in existence.

In 1934 Dennis, Cardinal Dougherty banned all Catholics in the archdiocese from entering a movie theater "under pain of mortal sin" due to what was then perceived as increasing licentiousness in American films. The ban was never officially lifted. (As found in, "A faith in flux," Philadelphia Inquirer, Sun, Jun. 04, 2006.

Due to the beatification and sainthood of Bishop Neumann and a later school merger, Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School

has had more name changes than any other diocesan high school. Its previous names include: South Catholic High School, Bishop John Neumann High School, Blessed John Neumann High School, and St. John Neumann High School.Further Information

Get more info on 'Archdiocese Of Philadelphia'.

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