About Diocese of Harrisburg
The Diocese of Harrisburg (Latin: Diœcesis Harrisburgensis) is a Roman Catholic diocese in south central Pennsylvania, established on March 3, 1868, by Pope Pius IX after the Second Plenary Council of Baltimore. It is a suffragan of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Philadelphia and today serves close to 201,000 Catholics across 88 parishes and 6 missions in 15 counties of central Pennsylvania, including Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union, York and others. Its mother church is St. Patrick Cathedral in downtown Harrisburg, and it is led by the Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, the twelfth Bishop of Harrisburg.
- Bishop
- Timothy C. Senior
- Established
- 1868
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of Saint Patrick, 212 State Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
- Territory
- Fifteen counties of south-central Pennsylvania: Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union, and York — covering 7,660 square miles.
- Parishes
- 88 parishes and 6 missions
- Province
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Province of Philadelphia)
Diocese of Harrisburg at a Glance
The Diocese of Harrisburg was established on March 3, 1868, by Pope Pius IX, on the recommendation of the Second Plenary Council of Baltimore. It serves close to 201,000 Catholics in 88 parishes and six missions spread across 15 counties and 7,660 square miles of central Pennsylvania. The present-day diocese includes the counties of Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union and York. The mother church of the diocese is Saint Patrick Cathedral in downtown Harrisburg. The diocese also counts 90 diocesan priests, 33 religious-order priests, 25 retired priests, 63 permanent deacons, 177 women religious, 10 seminarians, 27 elementary schools, 4 secondary schools, 1 K-12 school, and one Catholic hospital.
- Established March 3, 1868
- 15 counties, 7,660 square miles
- 88 parishes and 6 missions
- 201,000 Catholics
- 90 diocesan priests / 33 religious-order priests
- 63 permanent deacons / 177 women religious
- 32 Catholic schools (27 elementary, 4 secondary, 1 K-12)
Diocesan History
Catholic life in what is now the Diocese of Harrisburg predates the founding of the diocese itself by more than a century. German Jesuits established the Conewago Mission (1730, today the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) and St. Mary's Church in Lancaster (1743). After the Revolution Father John Carroll oversaw the American missions and Baltimore was erected in 1790; Harrisburg-area Catholics belonged successively to the dioceses of Baltimore, then Philadelphia (from 1808), before Pope Pius IX erected the Diocese of Harrisburg on March 3, 1868. From that day to the present, twelve bishops have shepherded the diocese.
- 1700s: Conewago Mission (1730) and St. Mary's, Lancaster (1743) — earliest Catholic outposts
- 1787: stone church at Conewago becomes first U.S. church named for the Sacred Heart
- 1808: Harrisburg territory becomes part of the Diocese of Philadelphia
- 1852–1860: St. John Neumann visits missions in the area as Bishop of Philadelphia
- March 3, 1868: Diocese of Harrisburg erected by Pius IX; Jeremiah F. Shanahan named first bishop
- 1901: Loss of Centre, Clinton (and later Fulton) counties to the new Diocese of Altoona
- 1995: 38 parishes merged into 13 new parishes after the Parish Consultations Process
- 2003: First Hispanic parish (Iglesia Católica San Juan Bautista) established
- 2012: First Asian parish (St. Peter Son Korean Catholic Church) established
Territory and Suffragan Status
The Diocese of Harrisburg is a suffragan see of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is therefore part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia. Its fifteen counties trace back to the original 1868 territory less Centre, Clinton and Fulton (lost to Altoona in 1901). The territory stretches from the Mason-Dixon line (Adams and Franklin counties) north to the ridges of the Susquehanna, and from Lancaster County in the east to the coal-country counties of Northumberland and Snyder in the west. The principal city of the diocese is Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania.
- Province: Philadelphia
- Metropolitan Archbishop: Most Reverend Nelson J. Perez
- Counties: Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union, York
- Square miles: 7,660
Our Bishop
The Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior was named by Pope Francis as the twelfth Bishop of Harrisburg on April 25, 2023, and was installed on June 21, 2023 at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick by Archbishop Nelson Perez, metropolitan archbishop of Philadelphia. Previously an Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia (ordained 2009), he served as Regional Bishop of Montgomery County and Philadelphia-South and as Chancellor of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. Bishop Senior holds advanced degrees in theology, social work and business administration, and is a classically trained pianist. Bishop Emeritus Ronald W. Gainer (eleventh bishop, 2014–2023) continues to reside in the diocese.
- Bishop Timothy C. Senior — twelfth Bishop of Harrisburg, installed June 21, 2023
- Bishop Emeritus Ronald W. Gainer — eleventh Bishop of Harrisburg, retired 2023
- Auxiliary bishops: most recently William H. Keeler (1984–1989 before becoming Archbishop of Baltimore)
Diocesan Leadership & Offices
The bishop is assisted by a diocesan leadership team organized into secretariats and offices. The Secretariat for Catholic Life & Evangelization oversees the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, Culture & Outreach, Life & Dignity, Laity & Family, and Youth & Young Adult. Other offices handle Catholic schools, Catholic Charities, Youth Protection, Stewardship and Development, Vocations, Worship, Tribunal, Communications, and Clergy Personnel. The Diocesan Administration Center at 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA houses these offices.
- Secretariat for Catholic Life & Evangelization
- Office of Catholic Schools
- Catholic Charities
- Office of Youth Protection
- Office for Vocations / Seminarians
- Office for Stewardship & Development
- Diocesan Tribunal
- Office for Communications
Cathedral of Saint Patrick
St. Patrick's Cathedral is the mother church and seat of the Bishop of Harrisburg. A Baroque Revival church with Renaissance Revival and classically inspired details, it was designed by Philadelphia architect George I. Lovatt, Sr., whose plans were approved in 1902 under Bishop John W. Shanahan. Ground was broken in 1904 and the present cathedral was completed on March 1, 1907 at a cost of $250,000. Its exterior is clad in North Carolina granite, its interior features Connemara marble and Oriental marble wainscoting, granite columns, a vaulted ceiling and 44 stained-glass windows imported from Munich. Major renovations occurred in 1949–1950, 1976 and 2003–2006 (the latter in preparation for the 100th anniversary). The cathedral is a contributing property in the Harrisburg Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places (added January 19, 1976). In July 1995 the parishes of Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Lawrence and St. Patrick Cathedral merged to form the present Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick; the 1918 St. Lawrence building now serves as the Cathedral Chapel.
- Architect: George I. Lovatt, Sr.
- Style: Baroque Revival with Renaissance Revival elements
- Completed: March 1, 1907
- Cost: $250,000
- NRHP: added January 19, 1976 (Harrisburg Historic District)
- Shrines memorializing past bishops: Shanahan crucifix, McDevitt (Christ and children), Leech (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton), Daley (St. John Neumann), and a St. Katharine Drexel shrine in the portico
Minor Basilicas
The Diocese of Harrisburg is notably home to two minor basilicas — one of the highest such concentrations of any diocese in the United States. In 1962, Pope John XXIII raised Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (known as the Conewago Chapel) in McSherrystown/Conowago to the rank of minor basilica. Established in 1730 and considered the oldest stone church in continuous use in the United States, it was the first Catholic church in the U.S. named for the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1787). In 1989, in honor of its 50th anniversary, St. John Paul II elevated the Motherhouse Chapel of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Danville to the status of a minor basilica — the only basilica in the world dedicated to the co-patrons of Europe.
- Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Conewago (1962)
- Basilica of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Danville (1989)
Parishes & Missions
The diocese contains 88 parishes and 6 missions. Major pastoral sites include the Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick (Harrisburg), parishes named for North American saints such as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Mechanicsburg), St. John Neumann (Lancaster) and St. Katharine Drexel (Mechanicsburg), the diocese's first Hispanic parish (San Juan Bautista) and first Asian parish (St. Peter Son Korean Catholic Church). Every year people search for the local Mass schedule; the official directory at hbgdiocese.org lists each parish with clergy, address, Mass times, confession times, and the liturgical languages celebrated there, including Spanish and Korean services at appropriate parishes.
- Find a parish: hbgdiocese.org/parishes
- Sacred Heart Basilica, Conewago — oldest stone church in continuous use in the U.S.
- Immaculate Heart of Mary, first church in the U.S. dedicated to that Marian title
- St. Catherine Labouré, Harrisburg — first parish in the world dedicated to the visionary of the Miraculous Medal
- San Juan Bautista — first Hispanic parish (full parish 2003)
- St. Peter Son — first Korean Catholic parish (2012)
Catholic Schools
The Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Harrisburg supports 32 diocesan schools (27 elementary, 4 secondary and 1 K-12) across the 15 counties, together with parish Religious Education programs. Mission-driven and values-based, diocesan schools combine Catholic faith and academic excellence, report a 99 percent high school graduation rate, and send 85 percent of graduates to college. All diocesan schools are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and hold membership in the National Catholic Education Association. The Diocese of Harrisburg also administers the Neumann Scholarship Foundation to help families afford Catholic education and the Golden Apple Award, funded by the Donahue Family Foundation, to honor outstanding Catholic school educators.
- 27 elementary schools, 4 secondary schools, 1 K-12 school
- Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- Member schools of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA)
- Neumann Scholarship Foundation — financial aid
- Golden Apple Award for outstanding teachers
- Instructional Support Advancement Committee — services for students with learning differences
- Autism Certification Program
- Principal's Academy
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Harrisburg serves thousands of individuals and families across the 15 counties of the diocese through 20+ social-service programs operating at minimal or no cost to the client. Services include warm meals at homeless shelters, addiction recovery programs, child care and education for single mothers, housing and stability for homeless families, assistance for immigrant families, programs for women choosing life for unplanned pregnancies, support for women battling addiction, and adoption services. Catholic Charities draws a substantial portion of its funding from the Diocesan Annual Campaign.
- Operating in 15 counties from Lancaster to Gettysburg, to Carlisle, Bloomsburg and Lebanon
- Homeless shelters and family housing
- Addiction treatment and recovery programs
- Adoption and pregnancy-support services
- Immigration assistance
- Single-mother child-care and education programs
Evangelization, Youth & Vocations
The Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization coordinates adult faith formation, youth ministry, young adult ministry, campus ministry in the diocese's 12 colleges, hospital ministry in the diocese's 14 hospitals, marriage and family ministry, and pro-life outreach. The diocese operates Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) athletics that serve thousands of young people, the Catholic Scouting program, and an Office for Vocations that supports 10 seminarians currently in formation. Holy Vocations outreach assists discerners of both priestly and religious vocations.
- Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
- Laity & Family ministry
- Youth & Young Adult ministry / CYO athletics
- Campus ministry in 12 colleges
- Hospital ministry in 14 hospitals
- Office for Vocations — 10 seminarians in formation
Diocesan Annual Campaign & Stewardship
The Diocesan Annual Campaign (DAC), branded 'Faithful Stewards' for 2026, is the principal funding stream for more than 90 diocesan ministries and programs. It supports Catholic school education (including religious education programs and RCIA), Catholic Charities' 20+ human-services programs, seminarian formation, evangelization outreach, pro-life activity, and retreats for engaged, married, separated and divorced couples. Per diocesan reporting, ninety-five percent of donations go directly to ministry programs and none is used to cover clergy abuse settlement fees. The Office of Stewardship and Development fields related inquiries at 717-657-4804, ext. 336, and [email protected].
- Funds 90+ ministries and programs
- Supports Catholic Charities, schools, seminarians, Retreat programs
- Donor inquiries: [email protected] / 717-657-4804 ext. 336
Youth Protection & Safe Environment
The Diocese of Harrisburg operates a robust youth-protection program dedicated to the healing and reconciliation of victims of sexual abuse as minors. Every year the diocese participates in the compliance audit for the USCCB's 'Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People' conducted by StoneBridge Business Partners and has passed every audit since the policy was adopted in 2002. Criminal background checks, training programs and educational awareness initiatives are part of this ongoing work.
- Annual Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People audit (passed every year since 2002)
- Auditor: StoneBridge Business Partners
- Background checks and prevention awareness programs in all parishes and schools
Worship, Liturgy & Devotions
The Office for Divine Worship assists parishes with the proper celebration of the Roman Rite, including the implementation of parish-driven sacramental programs and liturgy formation. The diocese maintains the patronal feast of St. Patrick (March 17) and active devotions to the saints whose churches and parishes dot the territory — including St. John Neumann (whose body is venerated in Philadelphia), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (whose shrine is in St. Patrick's Cathedral), St. Katharine Drexel (Mechanicsburg parish and cathedral portico shrine), and the Blessed Virgin Mary under titles such as Immaculate Heart of Mary.
- Office for Divine Worship
- Patron saint: St. Patrick
- Annual Cathedral Parish observances and Marian shrines at St. Patrick's Cathedral
Vocations & Seminarians
The Diocese of Harrisburg currently has 10 seminarians in formation for diocesan priesthood. The Office for Vocations accompanies men discerning the priesthood as well as women and men discerning religious life. Holy Vocations resources include retreats, the discernment blog, and the newly restarted diaconate program. Past vocations from the diocese include the founders of the Sisters of St. Casimir (founded in 1907 in the diocese) and Mother Katharine Drexel, who operated St. Katharine's Hall in Carlisle in 1901 for African and Native American children.
- 10 seminarians currently in formation
- Office for Vocations / Holy Vocations
- Permanent diaconate program (63 permanent deacons active)
- Heritage: Sisters of St. Casimir (founded in the diocese, 1907)
Facilities & Administration Center
The Diocesan Administration Center, located at 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111, serves as the administrative offices of the bishop and his staff. The cathedral, parishes, schools, and Catholic Charities sites complete the physical footprint of the diocese across central Pennsylvania. The historic Mount Calvary Cemetery in Harrisburg was established in connection with construction of St. Patrick's Cathedral (1904) to house the remains relocated from the earlier parish cemetery.
- Diocesan Administration Center: 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111
- Phone: 717-657-4804
- Mount Calvary Cemetery, Harrisburg
- Cathedral: 212 State Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
