Pope Pius VII canonically established the Diocese of Charleston on July 11, 1820. Thanks to the foresight of our first bishop, Most. Rev. John England, and his successors, a once scattered flock of only a handful of souls is now a community of believers over 200,000 strong. The clergy, religious women and men, and the laity have cemented the presence of our faith through sacrifice, resilience, and hope.
On July 11, 2020, the diocese celebrated the 200th anniversary of its founding with a Vigil Mass in Columbia. We were pleased to be joined by Archbishop Gregory John Hartmayer of Atlanta for the celebration. Watch the recorded livestream for this historic event on either Facebook.com/DioceseChas or YouTube.com/DioceseChas.
Invitation from Cork, Ireland
Most Rev. Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, Ireland, welcomes all Catholics to the birthplace of John England, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Charleston.
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Bicentennial Prayer
Heavenly Father, source of all good things, in every generation You gather a people to yourself and endow them with the means to spread Your Gospel.
Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, you have formed the parishes and missions of South Carolina into one body working to build your Kingdom across our seven deaneries of Aiken, Beaufort, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, and Rock Hill.
Through Your Holy Spirit, give us generous and sacrificial hearts as our diocese enters its third century. Transform us into good stewards of the blessings You bestow upon each one of us.
As one family in faith, we pray that our gifts strengthen our parishes and missions, form Catholics to Believe in the Gospel, and guide us to live your Gospel through social outreach. We ask all of this through our one Lord, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
