Roman Catholic Diocese of Great Falls-Billings

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The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings (Latin: Dioecesis Magnocataractensis-Billingensis) is the Catholic diocese of eastern Montana, established in 1904.

Pope Pius X erected the "Diocese of Great Falls" on May 18, 1904, by dividing the Diocese of Helena, which previously comprised the entire state. ^{[1] [2]}

For its first 76 years, it was called the "Diocese of Great Falls" (Latin: Dioecesis Great-Ormensis).^[3] Bishop Thomas J. Murphy changed the name of the diocese on February 14, 1980, adding "Billings" (and also changing the way that "Great Falls" was translated into Latin).^[4]

The diocese has two cathedrals: St Ann's Cathedral in Great Falls, which was dedicated on December 15, 1907; and St Patrick's Co-Cathedral in Billings, which was dedicated on March 1, 1908.

The co-patrons of the diocese are:

• Saint Matthias, whose feast day is May 14, from the patron saint of the first bishop
• Saint Pius X, whose feast day is August 21, since this saint, while pope, erected the diocese

The past bishops of the diocese are:^[5]

• Mathias Clement Lenihan (1904-30), originally from Dubuque, Iowa.
• Edwin Vincent O'Hara (1930-39), from Portland, Oregon.
• William Joseph Condon (1939-67), from Spokane, Washington.
• Eldon Bernard Schuster (1967-77), from Great Falls, Montana.
• Thomas Joseph Murphy (1978-87), from Chicago, Illinois.
• Anthony Michael Milone (1987-2006), from Omaha, Nebraska.
• Michael William Warfel (2007-present), from Elkhart, Indiana.

[edit] High schools

• Billings Central Catholic High School - Billings
• Great Falls Central Catholic High School - Great Falls
• St. Labre Indian Catholic High School - Ashland

[edit] References

1. ^ Diocesan information
2. ^ Diocese of Montana Split into two
3. ^ Great Falls-Billings (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]
4. ^ Diocese Renamed
5. ^ Bishops from 1883 to the Present

[edit] External links

• Diocese of Great Falls-Billings - official site
• Catholic Hierarchy.org - Diocese of Great Falls-Billings
• St. Ann's Cathedral - Great Falls - website
• St. Patrick's Cathedral - Billings - website
• Billings Catholic Schools - website
• Great Falls Central High School - official site