Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Thomas

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands (Latin: Dioecesis Sancti Thomae in Insulis Virgineis) is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Caribbean. The diocese comprises the overseas dependency of the U.S. Virgin Islands, specifically the islands Saint Thomas, Saint Croix and Saint John. The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Washington. Bishops of Saint Thomas are members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and also enjoy observer status with the Antilles Episcopal Conference.

Not to be confused with Saint Thomas Christians.

Diocese of Saint Thomas in Virgin Islands Dioecesis Sancti Thomae in Insulis Virgineis
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral
Location
Country	United States
Territory	Saint Thomas, Saint Croix and Saint John in the United States Virgin Islands
Ecclesiastical province	Washington
Statistics
Area	135 km^2 (52 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2010) 108,612 30,000 (27.6%)
Parishes	8
Information
Denomination	Catholic
Sui iuris church	Latin Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	April 30, 1960 (60 years ago)
Cathedral	Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
Patron saint	Saints Peter and Paul
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Herbert A. Bevard
Metropolitan Archbishop	Wilton Daniel Gregory
Map
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Thomas encompasses the U.S. Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint Croix and Saint John.
Website
catholicvi.com

History

The Diocese of Saint Thomas was erected as the Territorial Prelature of the Virgin Islands on April 30, 1960. Its name was changed and was elevated to a diocese on April 20, 1977. It is the only suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Washington. The diocese is governed from Charlotte Amalie on the island of Saint Thomas by a bishop whose episcopal seat is the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The current Bishop of Saint Thomas is Herbert A. Bevard, who was appointed on July 7, 2008, and was ordained and installed on September 3.[1][2]

Bishops

The list of bishops of the diocese and their years of service:

Apostolic Prefect of the Virgin Islands

1. Edward John Harper, C.Ss.R. (1960–1977)

Bishops of Saint Thomas

1. Edward John Harper, C.Ss.R. (1977–1985)
2. Seán Patrick O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap. (1985–1992), appointed Bishop of Fall River and later Bishop of Palm Beach, Archbishop of Boston, and President of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (elevated to Cardinal in 2006)
3. Elliot Griffin Thomas (1993–1999)
4. George Murry, S.J. (1999–2007), appointed Bishop of Youngstown
5. Herbert Bevard (2008–present)

Coadjutor Bishops

• Seán Patrick O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap. (1984–1985)
• George Murry, S.J. (1998–1999)

Other priest of this diocese who became bishop

• Adalberto Martínez Flores (priest here, 1985-1993), appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Asunción, Paraguay in 1997

High schools

• St. Joseph High School, Frederiksted, St. Croix
• Sts. Peter & Paul School, St. Thomas

See also

• Catholic Church by country
• Catholic Church in the United States
• Ecclesiastical Province of Washington
• Global organisation of the Catholic Church
• List of Roman Catholic archdioceses (by country and continent)
• List of Roman Catholic dioceses (alphabetical) (including archdioceses)
• List of Roman Catholic dioceses (structured view) (including archdioceses)
• List of the Catholic dioceses of the United States

References

1. "Diocese of Saint Thomas". Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
2. "Diocese of Saint Thomas". Gcatholic. Retrieved 2014-04-14.

External links

• Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Thomas Official Site