About Diocese of Evansville
The Diocese of Evansville (Latin: Dioecesis Evansvicensis) is a Roman Catholic diocese serving the southwestern 12 counties of Indiana, with its mother church at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. Erected on October 21, 1944 by Pope Pius XII from a portion of the then-Diocese of Indianapolis, it is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis within the Ecclesiastical Province of Indianapolis. Today the diocese comprises 45 parishes, 22 elementary schools, and 4 high schools, serving roughly 71,000 Catholics in a largely rural region where Evansville (population ~120,000) is the largest city. The diocese is led by its sixth bishop, Most Reverend Joseph M. Siegel, D.D., STL, who was installed on December 15, 2017.
- Bishop
- Joseph M. Siegel
- Established
- 1944
- Cathedral
- St. Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714
- Territory
- Twelve counties of southwestern Indiana: Sullivan, Greene, Knox, Daviess, Martin, Gibson, Pike, Dubois, Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Spencer (except Harrison Township).
- Parishes
- 45
- Province
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis (Ecclesiastical Province of Indianapolis)
About the Diocese of Evansville
The Catholic Diocese of Evansville was established in 1944 by Pope Pius XII and covers 5,010 square miles of southwestern Indiana across twelve counties. The diocese is composed of 45 parishes with 22 elementary schools and 4 high schools. The Catholic population is approximately 15% of the total population of the region. The diocese is rural and dotted with small towns, with Evansville (population approximately 120,000) as its largest city. The diocese is part of the Indianapolis Province and belongs to the Universal Church in unity with the whole Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. It participates in the Indiana Catholic Conference and USCCB Region VII (Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois).
- Established October 21, 1944 by Pope Pius XII
- 12 counties in southwestern Indiana
- 45 parishes; 22 elementary schools; 4 high schools
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- Led by Most Reverend Joseph M. Siegel, D.D., STL — sixth bishop
Bishop's Office
Most Reverend Joseph M. Siegel, D.D., STL serves as the sixth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Evansville. Born July 18, 1963, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Joliet on June 4, 1988, named Auxiliary Bishop of Joliet on October 28, 2009, and ordained a bishop on January 19, 2010. He was named Bishop of Evansville on October 18, 2017, and installed on December 15, 2017. The Bishop's Office oversees the spiritual and administrative life of the diocese and is supported by the diocesan curia at the Catholic Center.
- Joseph M. Siegel — installed December 15, 2017
- Previously Auxiliary Bishop of Joliet
- Catholic Center: 4200 N. Kentucky Avenue, Evansville, IN 47711
History of the Diocese
Catholic missionary activity in southwestern Indiana began around 1675 with French Jesuit missionaries near Vincennes, then part of New France. After 1827 the bishop of St. Louis assumed jurisdiction over Indiana; Pope Gregory XVI erected the Diocese of Vincennes in 1834, which was later renamed the Diocese of Indianapolis. Pope Pius XII carved the Diocese of Evansville from twelve counties of Indianapolis in 1944, naming Henry Joseph Grimmelsman as first bishop. The post-war era saw rapid growth, with twelve new parishes by 1962. Subsequent decades brought urbanization-driven parish mergers, particularly the 2014–2015 consolidation under Bishop Thompson, which reduced more than two dozen parishes. The diocese today honors the legacy of its founders while adapting to demographic realities of rural southwestern Indiana.
- 1675: French Jesuit missionaries arrive near Vincennes
- 1834: Diocese of Vincennes erected (later renamed Indianapolis)
- 1944: Diocese of Evansville erected October 21 by Pope Pius XII
- 1944: Bishop Grimmelsman chooses Assumption Church as first cathedral
- 1948: First diocesan synod convened
- 1965: Assumption Cathedral closed; Holy Trinity named pro-cathedral
- 1999: St. Benedict Church designated cathedral
- 2014–2015: Major parish mergers (19 into 8, then 7 into 3)
Departments and Ministries
The diocese operates more than a dozen departments that coordinate ministry and administration across its 45 parishes, schools, and institutions. Each department maintains dedicated programming under the direction of the diocesan curia.
- Bishop's Office
- Activities & Facilities
- Catechesis
- Catholic Charities
- Catholic Schools
- Chancellor
- Communications (The Message newspaper)
- Finance Office
- Liturgy & Worship
- Marriage, Family and Life
- Ministerio Hispano / Hispanic Ministry
- Permanent Diaconate
- Stewardship (Catholic Ministries Appeal, Brute Society)
- Tribunal
- Vocations
- Worship
- Youth & Young Adult (OYAYA)
Liturgy, Mass & Sacraments
The Office of Liturgy and Worship coordinates the liturgical life of the diocese, including the diocesan Liturgical Calendar, Mass and Sacrament policies and guidelines, liturgical music, and RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). The mother church, St. Benedict Cathedral, offers daily Mass and a robust confession schedule, serving as the focal point for diocesan liturgies.
- Diocesan Liturgical Calendar
- Liturgical Music
- RCIA program resources
- Policies & Guidelines for parishes
- Sacraments resources
- Jubilee 2025 programming
St. Benedict Cathedral — Mass & Confession Schedule
St. Benedict Cathedral, located at 1328 Lincoln Avenue in Evansville, is the mother church of the diocese and the seat of Bishop Siegel. Its published schedule (as displayed on saintbenedictcathedral.org) is the official liturgy of the cathedral parish.
- Weekday Mass: Monday – Saturday, 9:00 am
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 pm
- Sunday Masses: 8:00 am and 10:30 am
- Reconciliation: Monday – Friday 8:30 – 8:55 am; Monday 5:00 – 5:40 pm; Saturday 9:30 – 10:00 am and 3:30 – 4:00 pm
- Confession appointments: 812-425-3369 ext. 0
Catholic Schools
The Diocese of Evansville operates 22 elementary schools and 4 high schools serving Catholic families across southwestern Indiana. Diocesan schools are accredited and offer preschool through 12th-grade programming, with the Office of Catholic Schools providing accreditation oversight, exceptional children programs, professional development, marketing and development, tuition assistance, school wellness, and standards. On the 2024 ILEARN assessments, the diocese placed third in Indiana in English Language Arts, sixth in social studies, and eighth in math — with over 68% proficiency in ELA versus a state average of 41%.
- 26 total Catholic schools (22 elementary, 4 high schools)
- High schools include Mater Dei, Reitz Memorial, Rivet, and Washington Catholic (Pre-K–12)
- Notable elementary schools: Holy Cross (Fort Branch), Holy Redeemer, Holy Rosary, Holy Trinity (Jasper), St. Benedict, St. Wendel, Sts. Peter & Paul (Haubstadt), Resurrection, Flaget (Vincennes), St. James, Westside Catholic
- Indiana Choice Scholarship (voucher) program participation
- Mission & Vision, accreditation, and tuition assistance programs
- Diocesan Catholic Schools website: evdiocatholicschools.org
Marriage, Family and Life
The Office of Marriage, Family and Life supports a wide range of pastoral programs addressing the dignity of human life, marriage preparation, family enrichment, and care for those in difficult circumstances. The office coordinates many specialized ministries.
- Marriage Preparation & Enrichment Programs
- Over 55 Ministry Programs
- Respect Life Ministry
- Capital Punishment advocacy
- Courage (support for same-sex attracted Catholics)
- Divorce Prevention and Support
- Environmental Stewardship
- Infertility Resources
- Faithful Citizenship
- Healthcare
- Miscarriage Resources
- Natural Family Planning
- Project Rachel (post-abortion healing)
- The Rosary
- Walking with Moms in Need
Ministerio Hispano / Hispanic Ministry
Recognizing the growing Spanish-speaking Catholic population in southwestern Indiana, the diocese maintains a dedicated Hispanic Ministry office (Ministerio Hispano) that provides faith formation, sacramental preparation, evangelization, and community-building resources for Spanish-speaking parishioners. The office publishes news, ministries, services, and Hispanic faith traditions in both English and Spanish.
- Noticias y Eventos / News and Events
- Nuestra Misión y Personal / Our Mission and Staff
- Ministerios / Ministries
- Ambiente Seguro / Safe Environment
- Servicios / Services
- Nuestra Fe / Our Faith
- Tradiciones Hispanas / Hispanic Traditions
Youth & Young Adult Ministry (OYAYA)
The diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, known as OYAYA, coordinates faith formation, retreats, pilgrimages, and youth leadership programs for Catholic teens and young adults across southwestern Indiana.
- Young Adult Ministry
- Saint Maria Goretti Youth Distinction
- National Catholic Youth Conference
- March for Life pilgrimage
- Diocesan Youth Day
- World Youth Day
- Scouts BSA and Girl Scouts
- TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) retreats
- Source + Summit
- Scholarship Information
Vocations and Permanent Diaconate
The Office of Vocations promotes priestly and religious vocations, while the Permanent Diaconate program forms and supports the 68 permanent deacons serving throughout the diocese. As diocesan priest numbers have declined, the permanent diaconate has taken on expanded pastoral roles in parishes across the twelve-county region.
- Vocations discernment and recruitment
- Permanent Diaconate: Role & Function of the Deacon
- Permanent Diaconate formation program and schedule
- Deacon aspirant pathway ("Want to Become a Deacon?")
Catholic Charities and Stewardship
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Evansville provides social services and outreach to those in need, supported in part by the annual Catholic Ministries Appeal. The diocesan Stewardship office coordinates the appeal and the Brute Society, recognizing generous benefactors. The Finance Office manages diocesan financial operations and publishes annual financial statements.
- Catholic Ministries Appeal
- Brute Society (planned giving)
- Diocesan Finance Office forms and documents
- Annual Diocesan Financial Statements
Tribunal
The diocesan Tribunal exercises the Church's judicial authority in matters of canon law, including marriage cases and other ecclesiastical causes. It serves Catholics across the twelve-county region under the authority of the bishop.
- Marriage nullity cases
- Other canonical processes
- Located at the Catholic Center, Evansville
Communications and The Message
The Office of Communications publishes The Message (evdiomessage.org), the official newspaper of the Diocese of Evansville, covering diocesan news, schools, parishes, and feature stories. The office handles media inquiries and provides digital communications across the diocese.
- The Message — diocesan newspaper (evdiomessage.org)
- Media inquiries
- Diocesan news hub (evdio.org/news)
Old Cathedral Library & Museum
The Old Cathedral Library & Museum preserves the religious, cultural, and architectural heritage of the Diocese of Evansville and its predecessor jurisdictions (Diocese of Vincennes / Diocese of Indianapolis) in southwestern Indiana. The museum is associated with the former Holy Trinity / Old Cathedral complex in Evansville.
- Diocesan heritage and history
- Located at the former Holy Trinity (Old Cathedral) site, Evansville
Deaneries and Parish Directory
The diocese organizes its 45 parishes into deaneries (regional clusters) that support pastoral collaboration, ongoing formation, and shared ministry among priests and parishes. The current structure includes the South, West, North, and East deaneries, covering all twelve counties of southwestern Indiana from Evansville and Newburgh west to Vincennes and east to Jasper and Washington.
- South Deanery — Evansville and southern Vanderburgh/Warrick/Booneville areas
- West Deanery — Gibson, Pike, Posey, and western Vanderburgh Counties
- North Deanery — Knox, Daviess, and Martin Counties (Vincennes, Washington)
- East Deanery — Greene, Sullivan, Dubois, and Spencer Counties (Jasper, Huntingburg)
