About Diocese of Dallas
The Diocese of Dallas (Latin: Diœcesis Dallasensis) is a Latin-rite Roman Catholic diocese in North Texas, erected by Pope Leo XIII on July 15, 1890, from territory taken from the Diocese of Galveston. Today it is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of San Antonio and covers nine counties — Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall — with a Catholic population of more than 1.3 million across 69 parishes served by about 235 priests. Its mother church is the National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in downtown Dallas, a Gothic Revival landmark designed by Texas's preeminent 19th-century architect Nicholas J. Clayton and elevated to National Shrine status by the USCCB in 2023. The current and eighth bishop of Dallas is the Most Reverend Edward J. Burns, installed February 9, 2017.
- Bishop
- Edward J. Burns
- Established
- 1890
- Cathedral
- National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe), 2215 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas
- Territory
- Nine counties in North Texas: Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall — totaling 7,522 square miles (19,475 km²).
- Parishes
- 69 parishes (plus 4 missions)
- Province
- Archdiocese of San Antonio (Ecclesiastical Province of San Antonio, USCCB Region X)
History of the Diocese
The Dallas area was first evangelized in the 1840s under the Prefecture Apostolic of Texas, later served by the Vicariate Apostolic of Texas and then the Diocese of Galveston. Pope Leo XIII erected the Diocese of Dallas on July 15, 1890, initially covering most of northern and central Texas. Its territory shrank as El Paso (1914), Amarillo (1926), Austin (1953), Fort Worth (1969) and Tyler (1989) were carved out as separate dioceses. The see was renamed the Diocese of Dallas–Fort Worth from 1953 to 1969. Eight bishops have led the diocese from Bishop Thomas Brennan (1891) to Bishop Edward J. Burns (2017–present).
- Erected: July 15, 1890 by Pope Leo XIII
- First bishop: Thomas Francis Brennan (consecrated April 5, 1891)
- Renamed Diocese of Dallas–Fort Worth: 1953
- Dallas–Fort Worth split into Dallas and Fort Worth: August 9, 1969
- Diocese of Tyler erected from eastern counties: 1989
Our Bishops
The diocese has been led by eight bishops. The current Bishop, the Most Reverend Edward J. Burns, was appointed by Pope Francis on December 13, 2016, and installed at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe on February 9, 2017. Auxiliary Bishop Gregory Kelly assists Bishop Burns in the pastoral governance of the diocese.
- Bishop Edward J. Burns — 8th Bishop, since 2017 (formerly Bishop of Juneau)
- Bishop Gregory Kelly — Auxiliary Bishop of Dallas
- Cardinal Kevin Farrell — 7th Bishop (2007–2016), now Prefect Emeritus, Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life
- Bishop Charles Grahmann — 6th Bishop (1990–2007)
- Bishop Thomas Tschoepe — 5th Bishop (1969–1990)
- Bishop Thomas Gorman — 4th Bishop (1954–1969)
- Bishop Joseph P. Lynch — 3rd Bishop (1911–1954)
- Bishop Edward J. Dunne — 2nd Bishop (1893–1910)
- Bishop Thomas Brennan — 1st Bishop (1891–1892)
National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The National Shrine Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, also known as Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe, is the mother church of the Diocese of Dallas. Located at 2215 Ross Avenue in the Dallas Arts District, the Gothic Revival brick structure was designed by Nicholas J. Clayton, the premier Victorian architect of 19th-century Texas; its cornerstone was laid June 17, 1898, and it was formally dedicated on October 26, 1902, by Bishop Edward Dunne. Renamed Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe on December 12, 1977, after merging with the Harwood Street parish that had served Mexican immigrants since 1914, the cathedral was elevated to National Shrine status by the USCCB in September 2023.
- Sunday Masses: 8 a.m. (English), 10 a.m. (Spanish), 12 noon (English), 2 p.m. (Spanish), 5 p.m. (Spanish), 7 p.m. (Spanish)
- Weekday Masses: Monday–Friday at 12 noon (English) and 7 p.m. (Spanish)
- Confessions: Monday–Friday 11:30–11:55 a.m. and 6:30–6:55 p.m.
- Architect: Nicholas J. Clayton of Galveston
- Style: Gothic Revival, brick with stained glass and 'eye of God' oculus
- Renovations: $20 million bell tower with 49-bell carillon completed recently
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The diocesan Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life supports parishes in forming disciples for life. It provides ongoing formation for parish catechetical leaders, family life leaders, marriage-preparation ministers and senior-ministry coordinators. The office oversees lifelong faith formation from childhood through adulthood and works closely with parish schools of religion across the nine-county diocese.
- Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life
- Marriage preparation and enrichment programs
- Certificate in Pastoral Ministry (CPM) — joint with the University of Dallas
- Senior Ministry and Divorce Ministry resources
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) catechetical materials
Catholic Schools
Catholic schools are a cornerstone of diocesan life. The diocese operates a network of elementary and secondary schools — including Bishop Dunne Catholic School, Bishop Lynch High School, Cistercian Preparatory School, St. John Paul II and Ursuline Academy of Dallas (founded 1874, the first Catholic school in the city). Through the Bishop's Invitational for Scholarships the diocese has raised more than $4.5 million and assisted 3,000 students since 2011.
- Bishop Dunne Catholic School
- Bishop Lynch High School
- Cistercian Preparatory School
- Ursuline Academy of Dallas (founded 1874)
- St. John Paul II Catholic School
- Journey to Adulthood college-readiness academy
Catholic Social Ministries
The Office of Catholic Social Ministries coordinates the diocese's outreach to the sick, the poor, the imprisoned and the marginalized. It promotes Catholic social teaching across parishes and serves as a central hub for advocacy on issues of homelessness, hunger, immigration, care for creation and faithful citizenship.
- Office of Social Concerns (Care for Creation, Faithful Citizenship, Homelessness, Hunger, Immigration, Interfaith Dialogue)
- Hospital Chaplains Ministry — anointing of the sick and pastoral visits
- Prison and Jail Ministry — active in 11 correctional facilities across 9 counties for over 30 years
- Parish Social Ministry program — supports parish social concerns committees
- Homebound Ministry — brings Communion and pastoral care to the housebound
Missions & Outreach
The diocesan missions office, 'Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples,' coordinates local and international mission efforts, including CRS Rice Bowl during Lent (75% supports Catholic Relief Services overseas; 25% supports local anti-poverty programs), the Pontifical Mission Societies, and service trips for high-school students and medical professionals.
- CRS Rice Bowl (Lenten faith formation and fundraising)
- Costa Rica Mission Service — Diocese of San Isidro, with students from Bishop Dunne, Bishop Lynch, Cistercian, St. John Paul II and Ursuline
- Healing Hands in Honduras — medical mission in partnership with CHRISTUS Health in the Diocese of Trujillo (serves over 1,000 patients)
- The Pontifical Mission Societies USA
Youth, Young Adult & Campus Ministry
The Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry shepherds Catholic students from middle school through graduate school. The University Catholic Center at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) hosts weekly liturgies, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and reconciliation opportunities for students, faculty, staff and their families.
- University Catholic Center at UT Dallas
- Weekly Mass, adoration and confession on the UTD Richardson campus
- World Youth Day pilgrimages (Bishop Burns is a frequent bishop catechist at WYD)
- Young adult faith formation events
Giving & Development
The diocese funds its ministries primarily through the Bishop's Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries and targeted scholarships. In 2018 more than 26,000 families pledged over $7.7 million in support of Catholic education, social services, pastoral ministries and the formation of priests and deacons.
- Bishop's Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries (over $7.7M pledged in 2018 from 26,000 families)
- Bishop's Invitational for Scholarships (over $4.5M raised since 2011)
- Homebound Ministry giving program
- Diocesan Mission project sponsorships
Contact & Visiting the Diocese
The diocesan chancery is located at 3725 Blackburn Street in Dallas, Texas (mailing address P.O. Box 190507, Dallas, TX 75219). The general telephone line is (214) 528-2240. Visitors to the National Shrine Cathedral are invited to attend Mass, make a virtual pilgrimage, or join the annual December 4–12 pilgrimage in honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- Address: 3725 Blackburn St., P.O. Box 190507, Dallas, TX 75219
- Phone: (214) 528-2240
- Fax: (214) 379-3216
- Cathedral pilgrimage season: December 4–12 (Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe)
