Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington is a Roman Catholic diocese
in Kentucky
. It was founded on January 14, 1988.
The past bishop
s of the diocese are:
established the Diocese of Lexington on January 14, 1988 from 43 counties previously of the Diocese of Covington and 7 counties previously of the Archdiocese of Louisville. The formal ceremony establishing the diocese and installing its first bishop, James Kendrick Williams took place on March 2, 1988 at Christ the King Church. With the establishment of the diocese, and the installation of its bishop, Christ the King Church was elevated to the status of cathedral
.
The Diocese of Lexington provides education for approximately 4300 students in its fifteen elementary and two high school
s located throughout the diocese, and maintains Newman Centers at eight of Kentucky's colleges and universities.
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. It was founded on January 14, 1988.
The past bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s of the diocese are:
- James Kendrick Williams (1988–2002)
- Ronald William GainerRonald William GainerRonald William Gainer is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the second and current Bishop of Lexington.-Biography:...
(2002—)
Establishment of diocese
Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
established the Diocese of Lexington on January 14, 1988 from 43 counties previously of the Diocese of Covington and 7 counties previously of the Archdiocese of Louisville. The formal ceremony establishing the diocese and installing its first bishop, James Kendrick Williams took place on March 2, 1988 at Christ the King Church. With the establishment of the diocese, and the installation of its bishop, Christ the King Church was elevated to the status of cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
.
Profile of diocese
As of 2004, the diocese covered approximately 16,423 Square Miles (42,520 Square Kilometers), and included nearly 46,000 Catholics (about 3.1% of the total population) in its 64 parishes. At that time, 67 diocesan & religious priests, 33 permanent deacons, 30 male religious, and 138 female religious served in the diocese.The Diocese of Lexington provides education for approximately 4300 students in its fifteen elementary and two high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
s located throughout the diocese, and maintains Newman Centers at eight of Kentucky's colleges and universities.
High schools
- Lexington Catholic High SchoolLexington Catholic High SchoolLexington Catholic High School is a parochial secondary school affiliated with the Catholic Church located in the Rosemill neighborhood in Lexington, Kentucky. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington.-History:...
, Lexington - The Piarist SchoolThe Piarist School (Martin, Kentucky)The Piarist School is a private, Roman Catholic college preparatory school in Martin, Kentucky. It is operated independent of and with the blessing and spiritual support of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington.-Background:...
, Martin