Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Jurisdiction	Archdiocese
Name	Los Angeles
Latin	Archidioecesis Angelorum in California
Local	Arquidiócesis de Los Ángeles
Caption	Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Country	United States
Territory	Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties
Province	Ecclesiastical Province of Los Angeles
Metropolitan	Los Angeles
Area sqmi	8,762
Population	11,282,000
Catholics	4,350,000
Parishes	287
Churches	302
Schools	250
Denomination	Catholic Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	April 8, 1840 (as Diocese of the Two Californias)
Cathedral	Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Cocathedral	Cathedral of Saint Vibiana (former)
Patron	Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula
Metropolitan archbishop	José Horacio Gómez
Auxiliary bishops	Marc V. Trudeau, Robert E. Barron, Matthew G. Elshoff, Brian Nunes, Slawomir Szkredka
Vicar general	Joseph M. Brennan

Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is a Latin Church metropolitan see of the Catholic Church in Southern California. Encompassing the counties of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura, it is the largest diocese in the United States by population. The archdiocese is the seat of the Ecclesiastical Province of Los Angeles and its mother church is the modern Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

History

The region's Catholic history began with the Spanish mission system, notably the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel founded in 1771. The vast Diocese of the Two Californias was established in 1840, with its seat at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá. Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the diocese was reorganized, and in 1859 the Diocese of Monterey was created for Upper California. The Diocese of Monterey-Los Angeles was formed in 1859, with its see transferred to Los Angeles in 1876. Pope Pius XII elevated it to an archdiocese in 1936, creating the new Ecclesiastical Province of Los Angeles. Key events include the 2002 dedication of the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and the 2005 installation of Roger Mahony as cardinal.

Leadership

The archdiocese is led by the metropolitan archbishop, currently José Horacio Gómez, who succeeded Roger Mahony in 2011. Previous ordinaries include John Joseph Cantwell, the first archbishop, and James Francis Cardinal McIntyre, a prominent figure during the post-war growth of Los Angeles. The archbishop is assisted by several auxiliary bishops, including Robert E. Barron, founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, and vicars general like Joseph M. Brennan. The archdiocese also has a historic connection to the Papacy, with former Archbishop Roger Mahony serving in the College of Cardinals.

Parishes and institutions

The archdiocese comprises 287 parishes serving diverse communities, from historic Mission San Fernando Rey de España to modern worship sites. It operates one of the nation's largest private school systems, with nearly 250 elementary and secondary schools under the oversight of the Department of Catholic Schools. Higher education institutions include Loyola Marymount University and Mount Saint Mary's University. Other significant institutions are the Queen of Angels Center and the Saint John's Seminary in Camarillo.

Demographics and statistics

Serving a total population of over 11 million, the archdiocese reports approximately 4.35 million baptized Catholics, making it the most populous diocese in the United States. The Catholic community is extraordinarily diverse, with Mass celebrated weekly in over 40 languages across the tri-county territory. Major cultural groups include large Mexican, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese Catholic populations. The archdiocese has 302 churches and over 800 priests in active ministry.

Social services and ministries

The archdiocese administers extensive charitable works through Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, one of the largest social service providers in the region, offering services from homelessness prevention to immigration legal aid. Other key ministries include the Office of Life, Justice and Peace, the Office of Catholic Youth, and the Office of Vocations. The Archdiocesan Housing Corporation develops affordable housing, while the Restorative Justice Ministry operates in collaboration with local institutions like the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Controversies

The archdiocese has faced significant legal and public controversies, primarily related to the clergy sexual abuse scandal. In 2007, it reached a landmark $660 million settlement with over 500 abuse claimants. Internal documents released in 2013, pursuant to a court order, revealed extensive efforts by officials including Roger Mahony to shield accused priests from law enforcement. The archdiocese has also been involved in disputes over church closures, such as the 2005 suppression of St. Vibiana's, and has engaged in public policy debates on issues like Proposition 8 and sanctuary city policies.

Category:Roman Catholic ecclesiastical provinces in the United States Category:Religious organizations based in Los Angeles Category:1840 establishments in California