About Diocese of Gary
The Diocese of Gary (Dioecesis Gariensis) is a Latin Church suffragan diocese of the Catholic Church serving the four northwestern Indiana counties of Lake, Porter, LaPorte, and Starke. Erected by Pope Pius XII on December 17, 1956, it was carved out of the Diocese of Fort Wayne to give the fast-growing steel-belt region of Northwest Indiana its own ordinary. The cathedral is the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary, and the diocesan pastoral center is in Merrillville. Under its fifth and current bishop, Robert J. McClory, the diocese serves an estimated 170,000 Catholics through 58 parishes, two missions, one Catholic student center, 17 parish elementary schools and three diocesan high schools.
- Bishop
- Robert J. McClory
- Established
- 1956
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of the Holy Angels, Gary, Indiana
- Territory
- Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Starke Counties in northwestern Indiana, covering 1,807 square miles
- Parishes
- 58 parishes, 2 missions, 1 Catholic student center (as of the diocese's February 2025 statistical overview)
- Province
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
History of the Diocese of Gary
The Diocese of Gary was erected on December 17, 1956 when Pope Pius XII separated Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Starke Counties from the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend to form a new see for the rapidly industrializing steel-belt region of Northwest Indiana. Its first ordinary, Bishop Andrew Gregory Grutka, was a former Fort Wayne priest installed February 25, 1957. The diocese has been led by five bishops across nearly seven decades, including Bishops Grutka, Norbert Gaughan, Dale Melczek, Donald Hying and the current Bishop Robert McClory. Key inflection points include Vatican II implementation under Grutka, the launch of the diocesan newspaper and Catholic Services Appeal under Gaughan, the 1998 cathedral dedication and 50th anniversary under Melczek, the 2017 diocesan synod under Hying, and the historic 2024 White Family Foundation gift under McClory.
- Erected December 17, 1956 by Pope Pius XII; separated from the Diocese of Fort Wayne
- First bishop: Andrew Gregory Grutka (installed February 25, 1957)
- Vatican II participation by Bishop Grutka (1962–1965)
- Diocesan newspaper Northwest Indiana Catholic launched 1985
- Catholic Services Appeal launched 1986
- Cathedral formally dedicated January 26, 1998
- Golden Jubilee Mass celebrated June 10, 2007 at Genesis Convention Center
- First diocesan synod convened June 2–4, 2017 under Bishop Hying
- Synod 2022 distills priorities to 'Be Disciples. Be Missionaries.'
- $150 million gift from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation announced June 2024
Bishops in Succession
The Diocese of Gary has been served by five ordinaries since 1956. Each bishop has left a distinctive mark: Grutka through Vatican II implementation and the diaconate; Gaughan through communications and stewardship structures; Melczek through liturgy, immigration teaching, and Jubilee planning; Hying through synodality and missionary discipleship; and McClory through continued synod work, family and youth priorities, and historic investment in Catholic schools. Bishops Grutka and Melczek are both entombed in the east transept of the Cathedral of the Holy Angels.
- Bishop Andrew Gregory Grutka (1957–1984)
- Bishop Norbert Felix Gaughan (1984–1996)
- Bishop Dale Joseph Melczek (1996–2014)
- Bishop Donald J. Hying (2015–2019; now Bishop of Madison)
- Bishop Robert John McClory (2020–present)
Cathedral of the Holy Angels
The mother church of the Diocese of Gary is the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary, Indiana. The parish itself was established in 1906, when the first Mass was celebrated by Rev. Thomas F. Jansen in a tavern at Fifth and Broadway. The current church building was constructed in the late 1940s after World War II; the cornerstone was laid October 26, 1947 and the structure was dedicated January 29, 1950 by Bishop John F. Noll of Fort Wayne. When the diocese was erected in 1956, the church was elevated to cathedral status. Renovations followed in 1972 and again in 1997–98, when Bishop Dale Melczek formally anointed the altar and dedicated the renewed cathedral on January 26, 1998. The cathedral's east transept contains the Holy Angels Shrine, including an icon of the Synaxis of the Holy Angels in Ethiopian-Coptic style, the diocesan clergy memorial, and the tombs of Bishops Grutka and Melczek. The cathedral parish school was renamed Sister Thea Bowman School in 1994 in honor of the late African American religious sister and evangelist who grew up in the diocese.
- Parish established 1906; first Mass in a tavern at Fifth and Broadway
- Current church cornerstone laid October 26, 1947; dedicated January 29, 1950
- Elevated to cathedral December 10, 1956
- Renovated 1972 (Bishop Grutka) and 1997–98 (Bishop Melczek)
- Formally dedicated January 26, 1998
- Holy Angels Shrine with Synaxis icon and tombs of Bishops Grutka and Melczek
- Parish school renamed Sister Thea Bowman School in 1994
Catholic Schools
Catholic schools are central to the diocese's evangelizing mission. The Catholic Schools Office serves 17 parish elementary schools and 3 diocesan high schools enrolling 5,985 students across Northwest Indiana. By county: Lake County has 11 elementary and 2 high schools; Porter County has 3 elementary; LaPorte County has 3 elementary and 1 high school. All schools are accredited by the state of Indiana. Because all but three schools are parish-based, pastors and principals share responsibility for the Catholic identity and operation of each school. In June 2024 the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation announced a transformational $150 million gift to support these schools — among the largest single philanthropic gifts ever received by a U.S. Catholic diocese.
- 17 elementary schools and 3 high schools (5,985 students)
- 11 elementary + 2 high schools in Lake County
- 3 elementary schools in Porter County
- 3 elementary + 1 high school in LaPorte County
- All schools state-accredited
- $150 million White Family Foundation gift announced June 2024
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Beyond Catholic schools, 5,610 students are enrolled in parish-based Catholic faith formation programs across the diocese. The diocese's 2022 synod process identified faith formation as a primary venue for forming both children and their parents, with the family understood as the 'domestic church.' Bishop McClory's pastoral letter 'We Proclaim Jesus as Lord' calls parishes to reimagine Catholic schools and faith formation programs as co-equal catechetical settings for the whole family.
- 5,610 students in parish faith formation programs
- Family-centered catechesis emphasized in Synod 2022
- Schools and faith formation viewed as complementary
Vocations & Seminarians
The Office of Vocations promotes priestly vocations across the diocese, hosting discernment events, the annual Black Tie | White Collar Gala, the Collars vs. Scholars Classic (a priest-vs-scholars baseball game at Andrean High School), and vocation retreats. Recent ordinations include Fathers Zach Glick and Steven Caraher on June 1, 2024, and the scheduled ordination of Ivan Alatorre and Alexander Walter Kouris to the priesthood and William Brennan O'Donnell to the transitional diaconate on June 7, 2025 at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels. The Seminarian Education Fund is supported through the Vocations Office / Office of Stewardship at the pastoral center.
- Ordinations June 1, 2024: Fr. Zach Glick and Fr. Steven Caraher
- Scheduled ordinations June 7, 2025: Ivan Alatorre, Alexander Kouris (priests), William O'Donnell (transitional deacon)
- Black Tie | White Collar Gala
- Collars vs. Scholars Classic at Andrean High School
Diaconate Formation
Following Vatican II's call to revive the permanent diaconate, Bishop Andrew Grutka established the diocese's diaconate formation program, ordaining 44 permanent deacons between 1981 and 1984. The Office of Diaconate Formation continues to prepare men for ministry as permanent deacons serving the parishes of the diocese.
- Program established by Bishop Grutka post-Vatican II
- 44 permanent deacons ordained 1981–1984
- Ongoing formation and discernment today
Catholic Charities & Outreach
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary, together with other Catholic-affiliated agencies, serves more than two million people across Northwest Indiana. The network includes seven Catholic hospitals (including St. Mary's Medical Center in Hobart, founded by the Poor Handmaids of Christ in 1973), residential and daycare facilities for adults and children, and centers for social services. The diocese also maintains a Pro-Life Activities office and supports parish-based Saint Vincent de Paul conferences.
- Seven Catholic-affiliated hospitals
- St. Mary's Medical Center, Hobart (founded 1973 by Poor Handmaids of Christ)
- Residential and daycare facilities for adults and children
- Pro-Life Activities office
- Parish-based Saint Vincent de Paul conferences
Camp Lawrence Retreat Center
Camp Lawrence is the diocese's 162-acre retreat and youth camp north of Valparaiso, Indiana, graced with two small lakes, woods and open fields. It was founded by Monsignor Lawrence Grothouse and is named in his honor. Today the camp hosts parish picnics, youth and adult retreats, meetings, and other diocesan gatherings. Contact: 68 East 700 North, Valparaiso, IN 46383; (219) 508-7189.
- 162 acres north of Valparaiso with two small lakes
- Founded by Monsignor Lawrence Grothouse
- Hosts parish picnics, youth and adult retreats
- Address: 68 East 700 North, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Youth Ministry (CYO)
The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) coordinates athletic, spiritual and service programming for the diocese's young people. Synod 2022 affirmed a 'preferential option for young people,' directing diocesan and parish resources to engage teenagers and young adults in liturgies, ministries and consultative bodies.
- Athletic leagues and tournaments
- Spiritual and service programming
- Synod 2022 'preferential option for young people'
Worship & Liturgy
The Office of Worship supports the liturgical life of the diocese, including the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. Recent diocesan Masses include ordinations, the annual anniversary Mass, and special events such as the 50th anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving at the Genesis Convention Center in 2007. Parishes across the diocese offer regular Mass schedules, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, and sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage. The diocese's patronal feast of the Holy Angels (Guardian Angels) is celebrated on October 2.
- Office of Worship
- Sacramental preparation in parishes
- Patronal feast of the Holy Angels celebrated October 2
- Cathedral of the Holy Angels as liturgical center
Marriage Tribunal
The diocesan Marriage Tribunal handles petitions for marriage annulments and dispensations in accord with canon law. Bishop McClory's license in canon law from the Angelicum has been an asset to this work.
- Processes marriage cases under canon law
- Petitions for declarations of nullity
Stewardship & Development
The Office of Stewardship and Development coordinates the Catholic Services Appeal (founded 1986 by Bishop Gaughan), parish annual appeals, planned giving, and the Seminarian Education Fund. The Office of Stewardship also processes charitable contributions made payable to the Vocations Office at 9292 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410.
- Catholic Services Appeal (annual diocesan appeal, est. 1986)
- Seminarian Education Fund
- Planned giving and parish stewardship support
Communications & Media
The diocese publishes the Northwest Indiana Catholic newspaper (founded 1985 under Bishop Gaughan), maintains the dcgary.org website, and is active on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter). Synod 2022 identified a renewed diocesan communications strategy as a priority, particularly for engaging young adults, marginally attached Catholics and those estranged from the Church.
- Northwest Indiana Catholic (newspaper, est. 1985)
- Official website: dcgary.org
- Active on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, X
Safe Environment & Protection of Children
The Diocese of Gary operates a comprehensive Safe Environment program that includes VIRTUS training for adults, the Empowering God's Children program for youth, a Victim Assistance Coordinator, policies and procedures, and resources for transparency and accountability. Bishop Melczek established the diocese's first written policy on Sexual Misconduct Toward Minors and Others at Risk.
- VIRTUS training for adults
- Empowering God's Children program for youth
- Victim Assistance Coordinator
- Audit information and accountability resources
- Bishop Melczek's 1990s Sexual Misconduct policy
Diocesan Pastoral Council & Leadership
The Diocesan Pastoral Council advises the bishop on pastoral priorities and helped shape both the 2017 synod under Bishop Hying and the 2021–22 Synod 2022 under Bishop McClory. The College of Consultors elected Father Michael Joseph Yadron as Diocesan Administrator during the sede vacante period between Bishop Hying's departure (June 25, 2019) and Bishop McClory's installation (February 11, 2020).
- Diocesan Pastoral Council advises the bishop
- Father Michael Joseph Yadron served as Diocesan Administrator 2019–2020
- Helped shape the 2017 and 2022 synods
Synod 2017 and Synod 2022
In his 2016 pastoral letter 'Go, Therefore, and Make Disciples of All Nations,' Bishop Donald Hying convened the Diocese of Gary's first synod on Pentecost weekend June 2–4, 2017. More than 4,000 participants contributed, and the September 2017 synod response identified eight ecclesial priorities: Evangelization; Discipleship/Formation; Social Teaching; Marriage and Family; Young Catholics; Sacraments, Prayer and Worship; Stewardship; and Vocations and Leadership Formation. Building on that foundation, Bishop McClory launched Synod 2022 in August 2021 in response to Pope Francis's worldwide synod on synodality. After extensive listening, the diocese distilled its mission to two declarative commitments — 'We are called to be disciples' and 'We are called to be missionaries' — embodied in the diocesan vision: 'Be Disciples. Be Missionaries.' Bishop McClory's pastoral letter 'We Proclaim Jesus as Lord' outlines ten principles of missionary discipleship flowing from this process.
- First diocesan synod: Pentecost weekend June 2–4, 2017 under Bishop Hying
- 4,000+ participants; 8 priority areas identified
- Synod 2022 launched August 2021 by Bishop McClory
- Mission distilled to 'Be Disciples. Be Missionaries.'
- Pastoral letter 'We Proclaim Jesus as Lord' with ten principles
Pastoral Center & Administration
The diocesan pastoral center is located at 9292 Broadway in Merrillville, Indiana 46410 (phone 219-769-9292), and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It houses the chancery, the Offices of the Bishop, Communications, Catholic Schools, Catholic Charities, Vocations, Stewardship and Development, Worship, Pro-Life Activities, Human Resources, Finance, the Marriage Tribunal, the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Diaconate Formation Office, Lay Ecclesial Ministry, and Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization. Diocesan institutions include the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary and Camp Lawrence in Valparaiso.
- Address: 9292 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410
- Phone: (219) 769-9292
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Bilingual website (English / Spanish)
Territory, Statistics & Demographics
The Diocese of Gary covers 1,807 square miles across Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Starke Counties in northwestern Indiana. According to the diocese's February 2025 statistical overview, the Catholic population is 170,553. The Official Catholic Directory (2021) recorded 164,293 Catholics, or 20.7 percent of the four-county population. The diocese is served by 83 secular priests, has 58 parishes plus two missions and one Catholic student center, and oversees 17 parish elementary schools and three diocesan high schools enrolling 5,985 students, with an additional 5,610 in parish faith-formation programs.
- 1,807 square miles in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and Starke Counties
- 170,553 Catholics (February 2025)
- 58 parishes + 2 missions + 1 Catholic student center
- 83 secular priests
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Provincial & Episcopal Conference Affiliations
The Diocese of Gary is a suffragan diocese of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Indianapolis and falls within Region VII (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin) of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It depends on the Dicastery for Bishops at the Vatican. Bishop McClory serves on various USCCB committees; previously, Bishop Hying served as Episcopal Liaison for the National Association of Catholic Chaplains and as Episcopal Advisor to the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- USCCB Region VII (IL, IN, WI)
- Reports to the Dicastery for Bishops
