Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Jurisdiction	Archdiocese
Name	Los Angeles
Latin	Archidioecesis Angelorum in California
Caption	Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Country	United States
Territory	Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties
Province	Ecclesiastical Province of Los Angeles
Metropolitan	Los Angeles, California
Area sqmi	8,762
Population	11,000,000
Catholics	4,000,000
Parishes	287
Churches	287
Schools	292
Congregations	287
Members	4,000,000
Denomination	Catholic Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	April 8, 1840 (as Diocese of the Two Californias)
Cathedral	Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Patron	Our Lady of the Angels
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

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles is a Latin Church metropolitan see overseeing the largest Catholic community in the United States. Its territory encompasses the California counties of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. The archdiocese is a center of immense cultural and ethnic diversity, serving millions of faithful from its seat at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

History

The ecclesiastical jurisdiction originated on April 8, 1840, when Pope Gregory XVI established the vast Diocese of Both Californias, covering Alta California and Baja California. Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the California Gold Rush, the diocese was reorganized, with the Diocese of Monterey created in 1850. The see was renamed the Diocese of Monterey-Los Angeles in 1859 and transferred to Los Angeles in 1876. Elevated to an archdiocese by Pope Pius XII in 1936, it became a pivotal center during the post-World War II population boom. Key historical figures include its first bishop, Francisco García Diego y Moreno, and the influential Cardinal James Francis McIntyre, who oversaw massive expansion.

Leadership

The archdiocese is led by its metropolitan archbishop, José Horacio Gómez, who succeeded Cardinal Roger Mahony in 2011. Archbishop Gómez also serves as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The current auxiliary bishops include Marc V. Trudeau, Robert E. Barron, Matthew G. Elshoff, Brian Nunes, and Slawomir Szkredka. Past ordinaries who were elevated to the College of Cardinals include Timothy Manning and Roger Mahony. The archdiocesan curia is managed by officials like Vicar General Joseph M. Brennan.

Parishes and worship

The archdiocese comprises 287 parishes, which celebrate the Roman Rite in dozens of languages reflecting the region's diversity. Major pilgrimage sites include the San Gabriel Mission and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The principal church is the modern Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, consecrated in 2002. Numerous ethnic communities maintain vibrant traditions, such as the annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, one of the largest annual gatherings of Catholic laity in the world.

Education and social services

It operates one of the nation's largest private school systems, with 292 elementary and secondary institutions including Harvard-Westlake School and Loyola High School. Higher education is served by Loyola Marymount University and Mount Saint Mary's University. Catholic Charities of Los Angeles provides extensive social services, from homelessness assistance to immigration legal aid. Other ministries include Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries and the Office of Life, Justice and Peace.

Demographics and statistics

The archdiocese serves an estimated Catholic population of over 4 million faithful within a total population of 11 million across its three-county territory. It is the most populous archdiocese in the United States. The Catholic community is extraordinarily diverse, with large populations of Mexican, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, and Salvadoran heritage, among many others. Mass is celebrated weekly in more than 40 languages across its parishes.

Notable institutions

Prominent institutions include the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the historic San Fernando Mission, and the Queen of Angels Center. The archdiocese oversees major media outlets like Angelus News and the Catholic Television Network of America. Its seminary formation is centered at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo. The archdiocesan archives hold significant historical records related to California mission history and the Chicano civil rights movement.

Category:Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Los Angeles Category:Christian organizations based in California Category:1840 establishments in California