Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Thomas

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands (Latin: Diœcesis 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

Diœcesis Sancti Thomae in Insulis Virgineis
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral
Coat of arms
Location
Country United States
TerritorySaint Thomas, Saint Croix and Saint John in the United States Virgin Islands
Ecclesiastical provinceWashington
Statistics
Area135 km2 (52 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics (including non-members)		(as of 2010)
108,612
30,000 (27.6%)
Parishes8
Information
DenominationCatholic
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
EstablishedApril 30, 1960 (60 years ago)
CathedralCathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
Patron saintSaints Peter and Paul
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
BishopSede Vacante
Metropolitan ArchbishopWilton Daniel Gregory
Apostolic AdministratorWilton Daniel Gregory[1]
Bishops emeritusHerbert A. Bevard
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 see has been vacant since September 18, 2020.[2][3]

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 see below)

Bishops of Saint Thomas
  1. Edward John Harper, C.Ss.R. (see above 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 (2008–2020)

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

See also

References
  1. Catholic News Agency (September 18, 2020). "Pope accepts resignation of Bishop Bevard of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands". Crux. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  2. "Diocese of Saint Thomas". Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
  3. "Diocese of Saint Thomas". Gcatholic. Retrieved 2014-04-14.

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