Backgrounder
prepared by
Department of Communications
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth Street NE · Washington, DC 20017
202-541-3200 · 202-541-3173 fax · www.usccb.org/comm
Diocese of Brooklyn
(Sources:
The 2007 Official Catholic Directory and the diocesan website.)
Geography:
Kings and Queens Counties in the State of New York
Statistics:
Number of Catholics: 1,561,638
Catholics as Percentage of Population: 33%
Number of Parishes: 217
Number of Priests: 722
Number of Schools:
Elementary: 120
Secondary: 20
Colleges and Universities: 3
Cathedral: Basilica of Saint James
Succession of (Arch)Bishops:
Bishop John Loughlin 1853-1891
Bishop Charles E. McDonnell 1892-1921
Bishop Thomas E. Molloy 1921-1956
Bishop Bryan J. McEntegart 1957-1968
Bishop Francis J. Mugavero 1968-1990
Bishop Thomas V. Daily 1990-2003
Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio 2003-present
Key Historical Dates:
1853: Diocese of Brooklyn is established as a diocese separate from the Diocese of New York
1908: The diocesan newspaper The Tablet is founded
1930: The Seminary of the Immaculate Conception is founded.
1935: Catholic War Veterans is founded in Brooklyn
1957: The Diocese of Rockville Centre is separated from the Diocese of Brooklyn
1960s: In light of a growing Hispanic population, Bishop Entegart begins to send priests and religious for studies in Spanish language and culture
1990: Bishop Daily convenes the Diocesan Convocation for Racial Harmony
Present: Mass is celebrated in 26 languages every week and parishioners come from 167 countries