About Diocese of Biloxi
The Diocese of Biloxi (Latin: Dioecesis Biloxiensis) is a Roman Catholic diocese in southern Mississippi, erected on March 1, 1977 by Pope Paul VI from territory split off the former Diocese of Natchez-Jackson. It serves 17 counties along and inland from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and is a suffragan of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mobile. The diocese is led today by Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III and counts roughly 54,520 Catholics across 51 parishes and missions, 13 diocesan schools plus Saint Stanislaus College (Brothers of the Sacred Heart), and ministries ranging from Catholic Charities of South Mississippi to Safe Environment and Faith Formation programs.
- Bishop
- Louis F. Kihneman III
- Established
- 1977
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Biloxi, Mississippi)
- Territory
- The 17 southernmost counties of Mississippi: Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Stone, Walthall, and Wayne.
- Parishes
- 43 parishes, 8 missions (51 pastoral centers)
- Province
- Archdiocese of Mobile (Ecclesiastical Province of Mobile)
About the Diocese of Biloxi
The Catholic Diocese of Biloxi serves 17 counties in southern Mississippi from the Alabama state line to the lower Mississippi–Louisiana border, extending north of Laurel into Jones and Wayne counties. It was erected on March 1, 1977 by Pope Paul VI and made a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Mobile in 1980. Roughly 58,000 Catholics are served through 51 parishes and missions, 13 diocesan schools plus Saint Stanislaus College, Catholic Charities of South Mississippi, and diocesan offices for faith formation, youth ministry, and safe environment. The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biloxi serves as the episcopal see.
- Established: March 1, 1977
- Province: Mobile (since July 29, 1980)
- Territory: 17 southern Mississippi counties (~25,001 km²)
- Cathedral: Nativity of the BVM, Biloxi
- Patron saints: St. Joseph the Worker; St. Martin de Porres
- Motto verse: Matthew 28:19–20 — 'Go therefore and make disciples…'
Office of the Bishop
The Chancery at 1790 Popps Ferry Road in Biloxi houses the diocesan administration. Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III leads the diocese with a Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia (Very Rev. Adam Urbaniak), a Vicar of Temporal Affairs (Very Rev. Vincent Ajayi), and a Tribunal headed by Judicial Vicar Msgr. John R. McGrath, VF, JCL. The Office of the Bishop is the point of contact for administrative, juridical, and pastoral matters across the diocese.
- Bishop: Most Rev. Louis F. Kihneman III
- Vicar General: Very Rev. Adam Urbaniak
- Vicar of Temporal Affairs: Very Rev. Vincent Ajayi
- Judicial Vicar: Msgr. John R. McGrath, VF, JCL
- Adjunct Judicial Vicar: Rev. Bartosz T. Kunat
- Phone: 228-702-2111 (Bishop); 228-702-2100 (Chancery switchboard)
- Email: [email protected]
Past Bishops of Biloxi
Only four men have shepherded the diocese since 1977. Bishop Joseph Lawson Howze, the founding ordinary, was the first African-American bishop in the 20th century to lead a U.S. Catholic diocese. He was succeeded by Bishop Thomas J. Rodi, who led the diocese through Hurricane Katrina and was later named Archbishop of Mobile. Bishop Roger P. Morin, installed in 2009, retired in 2016 and died in 2019. Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III, the current bishop, was appointed by Pope Francis on December 16, 2016 and installed on April 28, 2017.
- Joseph Lawson Howze (1977–2001) — first bishop; first African-American diocesan ordinary in the 20th-century U.S.
- Thomas J. Rodi (2001–2008) — guided Hurricane Katrina recovery; later Archbishop of Mobile
- Roger P. Morin (2009–2016) — motto 'Walk Humbly and Act Justly'
- Louis F. Kihneman III (2017–present) — fourth bishop, installed April 28, 2017
Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The mother church of the diocese stands at 870 West Howard Avenue in Biloxi. The current Gothic Revival building, designed by New Orleans architect Theodore Brune and built by J.F. Barnes & Company, was dedicated September 14, 1902 — the third church on the site, after an 1843 structure lost in an 1869 hurricane and an 1870 frame church destroyed by the great Biloxi fire of 1900. Features include a square southeast tower housing the original Seth Thomas four-faced clock (electrified 1959) and its Baltimore bell, three Italian pearl marble altars installed in 1943, fourteen ceiling frescoes of saints and symbols, a 22-rank Wicks pipe organ (first played Easter Vigil 1980), and stained glass windows imported from Germany. A 1989–1990 renovation added the Marian Chapel and the Bishop's Cathedra.
- Address: 870 West Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS
- Built: 1902 by J.F. Barnes & Co.
- Architect: Theodore Brune (New Orleans)
- Style: Late Gothic Revival
- Three Italian pearl marble altars installed 1943
- Alfred E. Smith donation repainted interior 1929
- Keesler Army Air Base personnel relaid floor overnight 1942
Our Catholic Schools
The diocesan Office of Catholic Schools, led by Superintendent Mrs. Jennifer Broadus, oversees 13 diocesan schools, while Saint Stanislaus College in Bay St. Louis is operated independently by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Together they educate students from preschool through 12th grade across the diocese.
- Holy Trinity Elementary
- Nativity BVM Elementary (Biloxi)
- Our Lady Academy (Bay St. Louis)
- Our Lady of Fatima Elementary
- Resurrection Elementary & Resurrection High School (Pascagoula)
- Sacred Heart Elementary (D'Iberville)
- Sacred Heart Elementary & Sacred Heart High School (Hattiesburg)
- St. Alphonsus Elementary
- St. James Elementary
- St. Patrick Catholic High School (Biloxi)
- St. Vincent de Paul Elementary
- Saint Stanislaus College (Bay St. Louis) — grades 7-12, Brothers of the Sacred Heart
Faith Formation
The Office of Faith Formation, directed by Amber Buckley, accompanies Catholics of every age through an intentional discipleship plan built on four pillars — Know God, Love God, Serve God, and Witness God. Plans are available for students (lower elementary through high school), adults, families, and preschoolers, and include OCIA materials, catechist formation, recommitment prayer services, and a 'My Catholic Faith Delivered' facilitator course.
- Student Faith Formation Plan (elementary / middle / high)
- Younger Student Plan (lower elementary)
- Adult Faith Formation Plan (catechists, OCIA, etc.)
- Family Faith Formation Plan
- Preschool Faith Formation Plan (print and Smart-TV versions)
- Recommitment Prayer Service & Summer Commissioning Service
Youth Ministry
The diocesan Office of Youth Ministry, directed by Marianne Schmidt, supports parish youth ministers and volunteers through handbooks, permission and medical forms, ice-breaker resources, and a Discipleship Roadmap. The office also publishes forms in Spanish to support Hispanic ministry.
- Director of Youth Ministry: Marianne Schmidt (228-702-2141)
- Youth Minister Handbook (Word, printer-friendly)
- Medical & Permission Forms (English and Spanish)
- Driver Insurance Form
- Ice Breaker Ideas & Newman Connection resources
Catholic Charities of South Mississippi
Motivated by the Gospel call to love neighbor (Mark 12:31), Catholic Charities of South Mississippi empowers individuals and families across the diocese through case-managed services. Programs include a Community Outreach financial-hardship intake line (228-701-0555), an Infant and Maternity Program that distributes diapers, formula, clothing, and safety items, and a Translation Service for birth certificates and marriage licenses ($30 per document, accepted Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9am–2pm at the Gulfport office, 1450 North Street).
- Phone: 228-701-0555
- Email: [email protected]
- Office: 1450 North Street, Gulfport, MS
- Community Outreach / Case Management
- Infant and Maternity Care Program
- Document Translation Services (Spanish & others)
Safe Environment & Protection of Minors
Under the diocesan Policy Regarding Complaints of Abuse of Minors, all clergy, religious, employees, and volunteers in public ministry with minors must complete the 'Essential Three': acknowledgement of the Code of Conduct, a criminal background check (renewed every five years), and VIRTUS safe-environment training. Reports of abuse are routed to the Vicar General (or to the appropriate school, youth ministry, faith formation, or Catholic Charities director depending on setting). A review committee is reassessed every three years.
- VIRTUS Online registration required for all ministers with minors
- Background checks renewed every 5 years
- Annual supplemental training modules for employees and volunteers
- Monthly educational bulletins for clergy, deacons, and paid staff
- Reporting line: Vicar General, Diocese of Biloxi
Find a Parish, School, or Event
The diocesan website offers search tools for locating one of the 51 parishes and missions, identifying the nearest of 14 Catholic schools, and browsing upcoming diocesan events. The site also links to a 'Find a Parish' map, the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools finder, and a diocesan calendar of liturgies, retreats, and community events.
- Find a Parish — 43 parishes and 8 missions
- Find a School — 14 Catholic schools
- Find Events — diocesan calendar
- Contact — Chancery Office, 1790 Popps Ferry Rd., Biloxi
