About Diocese of Lafayette
The Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana (Latin: Dioecesis Lafayettensis in Indiana) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church covering 24 counties across north-central Indiana, from the Illinois state line to the Ohio state line. Erected by Pope Pius XII on October 21, 1944, the diocese was carved from the older Diocese of Fort Wayne and is today a suffragan of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Its mother church is the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Lafayette, and its patron saints are the Blessed Virgin Mary under her title of the Immaculate Conception and Saint Théodore Guérin, the French missionary who founded the Sisters of Providence in Indiana. The diocese is currently led by its sixth bishop, Timothy L. Doherty.
- Bishop
- Timothy L. Doherty
- Established
- 1944
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, 1207 Columbia Street, Lafayette, IN 47901
- Territory
- 24 counties in north-central Indiana, stretching from the Illinois state line to the Ohio state line — including Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Delaware, Fountain, Grant, Hamilton, Howard, Jasper, Lake (portions disputed historically), Madison, Miami, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Warren, and others in the central band of the state.
- Parishes
- 61 parishes organized in 48 pastorates across 5 deaneries (being consolidated into 28 pastorates across 3 deaneries under Uniting in Heart 2030)
- Province
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis (metropolitan)
About the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana
The Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana serves Catholics across 24 counties of north-central Indiana, from the Illinois state line to the Ohio state line. Its mission statement reads: 'We are the people of God uniting in the heart of Jesus Christ. We join the whole Church in proclaiming the Gospel in Word, Sacrament and Charity for the salvation of all people.' Erected on October 21, 1944, by Pope Pius XII from the Diocese of Fort Wayne, the diocese numbers roughly 111,200 Catholics across 61 parishes. The see city is Lafayette, and the diocese is a suffragan of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
- Established October 21, 1944, by Pope Pius XII
- Carved from the Diocese of Fort Wayne (1857–1944)
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis
- 24 counties, ~9,832 square miles
- Patron saints: Immaculate Conception and St. Théodore Guérin
Bishop Timothy L. Doherty
Timothy Lawrence Doherty was born September 29, 1950 in Rockford, Illinois, the eldest of seven children of Lawrence and June Doherty. He earned a BA from St. Ambrose University (1972), studied theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1975), and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rockford on June 26, 1976 by Bishop Arthur J. O'Neill. He holds an STL in moral theology from the Alfonsian Academy (1982) and a PhD in Christian Ethics from Loyola University Chicago (1995/1996). He was named the sixth Bishop of Lafayette-in-Indiana by Pope Benedict XVI on May 12, 2010, and was consecrated and installed on July 15, 2010 at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception. His episcopal motto is 'The Word of God is Unchained' (2 Timothy 2:9). He chairs the USCCB Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People.
- Sixth Bishop of Lafayette-in-Indiana
- Appointed May 12, 2010; installed July 15, 2010
- Former priest of the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois
- PhD in Christian Ethics, Loyola University Chicago
- Motto: 'The Word of God is Unchained'
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, at 1207 Columbia Street in Lafayette, is the mother church of the diocese. The parish was founded in 1843 by Irish Catholic families who first gathered for Mass in rented space; a brick Church of Sts. Mary and Martha was completed in 1846 at 5th and Brown Streets. In 1860 parishioner Lawrence Stockton donated land on Columbia Street to Rev. Edmund Kilroy. The current Gothic Revival church broke ground in 1861, was completed in 1866, and dedicated August 15, 1866. The central tower rises 170 feet; the interior has three naves; frescoes and stained glass were installed in 1887; the brick exterior was sheathed in concrete in 1904 to resemble stone. The cathedral is part of the St. Mary Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 14, 2001.
- 1207 Columbia Street, Lafayette, IN 47901
- Phone: (765) 742-4440
- Gothic Revival, brick/concrete exterior
- Dedicated August 15, 1866; central tower 170 ft
- Contributing property, St. Mary Historic District (NRHP 2001)
- Pastored together with St. Ann Church, 612 Wabash Avenue, Lafayette
Cathedral Mass, Confession & Adoration Schedule
The Cathedral pastorate (Cathedral of St. Mary + St. Ann Church) publishes its schedule online. Weekend Masses are offered Saturday at 4:00 PM (Cathedral) and 4:30 PM (St. Ann), and Sunday at 7:30, 9:00, 10:00 (St. Ann), 11:00 AM (livestreamed) and 12:00 PM (St. Ann), with a 5:30 PM evening Mass at the Cathedral. Weekday Masses are at 7:00 AM Monday–Friday (St. Ann), 8:15 AM Wednesday and Friday (Cathedral), 5:15 PM Tuesday and Thursday (Cathedral), and 9:30 AM on the first Saturday (Cathedral). Confessions are heard Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 PM, Saturday at 8:30 AM (Cathedral) and 3:00 PM (St. Ann), and by appointment. Adoration is held Monday at 7:00 PM (hosted by the Serra Club) at the Cathedral and the first Saturday of the month at 3:00 PM at St. Ann.
- Weekend Vigil: Sat 4:00 PM (Cathedral) and 4:30 PM (St. Ann)
- Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9:00, 11:00 (livestream), 5:30 PM at Cathedral; 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM at St. Ann
- Weekday Masses: 7:00 AM M–F (St. Ann); 8:15 AM W/F; 5:15 PM T/Th (Cathedral)
- First Saturday 9:30 AM Mass at the Cathedral
- Confessions: Tue 6 PM, Thu 6 PM, Sat 8:30 AM (Cathedral); Sat 3 PM (St. Ann)
- Adoration: Mon 7 PM (Cathedral, hosted by Serra Club); First Sat 3 PM (St. Ann)
History of the Diocese
The diocese traces its lineage back through the Diocese of Fort Wayne (1857) to the Diocese of Vincennes (1834), which itself descended from the Diocese of Bardstown (1808) and the original Diocese of Baltimore (1789). Pope Pius XII erected Lafayette-in-Indiana on October 21, 1944, with 54 parishes and 31,700 Catholics. Six bishops have led the see in succession: Bennett (1944–57), Cardinal Carberry (1957–65), Gallagher (1965–82), Fulcher (1983–84, died in office), Higi (1984–2010), and Doherty (2010–present). The full narrative — including Mother Theodore Guerin's 1841 arrival with the Sisters of Providence, the 1956 coadjutor appointment of Carberry, Gallagher's church dedications, Higi's Haiti outreach and Guerin High School, and Doherty's Uniting in Heart 2030 Pastoral Plan — is documented on the diocese's About page and in Anthony Prosen's history of the diocese.
- Predecessor: Diocese of Vincennes (1834) → Diocese of Fort Wayne (1857)
- First bishop John G. Bennett (consecrated Jan 10, 1945)
- Carberry elevated to Cardinal in 1969
- Bishop Fulcher died in car crash, January 25, 1984
- Bishop Higi opened St. Theodore Guerin High School, Noblesville
- Bishop Doherty launched Uniting in Heart 2030
Parishes, Pastorates & Deaneries
The diocese currently comprises 61 parishes organized in 48 pastorates across 5 deaneries. Under Bishop Doherty's Uniting in Heart 2030 Pastoral Plan, this structure is being consolidated into 28 pastorates across 3 deaneries, with a new parish envisioned for the fast-growing Hamilton/Boone County area. A pastorate is a single parish or a cluster of parishes led by one pastor with a unified leadership team, pastoral council and finance council; the model allows shared lay staff (Director of Operations, Director of Evangelization, shared bookkeeper) to relieve priests of administrative work. Regional Business Centers are being established to standardize excellence in business administration. The Parish Finder on dol-in.org lets visitors search by name, location or zip code.
- 61 parishes · 48 pastorates · 5 deaneries (current)
- Goal: 28 pastorates across 3 deaneries
- New parish planned for Hamilton/Boone County growth corridor
- Missionary Pastor model for each pastorate
- Regional Business Centers to support pastorate administration
- Search parishes at dol-in.org/parishfinder
Uniting in Heart 2030 Pastoral Plan
Uniting in Heart is the diocese's strategic pastoral plan grounded in the vision that 'we are one Church, to make Jesus Christ known to the people and for the salvation of souls.' Originally released in July 2017 and updated in 2019, the plan's three pillars are Mission, Community, and Witness. It responds to identified realities: Catholics leaving the Church, priests overwhelmed with administration, clergy without pastoral skills, weak leadership development, and outdated parish structures. The plan envisions robust Catholic schools, partnerships in ministry, increased collaboration, decreased isolation, and strong lay leadership. Implementation is led by a Diocesan Transition Team appointed by the bishop, working alongside Pastorate Transition Teams. Bishop Doherty has stated the ultimate goal is 'to Unite Hearts in the heart of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Church… through our 3 Pillars (Mission, Community, Witness) and our new Pastorate structure.'
- Three pillars: Mission, Community, Witness
- Originally released July 2017; updated 2019
- Diocesan Transition Team + Pastorate Transition Teams
- Standardized assessments: Evangelization, Stewardship, Financial, HR, Schools, Technology, Safe and Sacred, Facilities, Inventory
- Lay staff consolidation to free priests for ministry
- Missionary Pastor concept
Catholic Schools
The diocesan Office of Catholic Schools works in collaboration with school leadership, administrators and pastors to provide a systemic view of Catholic education through research, resources and support. The diocese supports a network of parish and regional Catholic elementary schools and high schools across its 24 counties. The most prominent secondary institution is St. Theodore Guerin High School in Noblesville (Hamilton County), opened under Bishop Higi. The Annual Catholic Ministries Appeal lists Catholic Schools among its supported ministries. Under the Uniting in Heart 2030 plan, diocesan schools are envisioned to be 'robust and thriving across the diocese' with growing partnerships to provide services and true encounters with Jesus Christ.
- Office of Catholic Schools provides system-wide support
- St. Theodore Guerin High School, Noblesville (opened under Bishop Higi)
- Supported by the Annual Catholic Ministries Appeal
- Coordinated with the pastorate model under Uniting in Heart
College Ministries
The diocese operates residence and ministry centers at three non-Catholic universities: Ball State University (Muncie), Purdue University (West Lafayette) and Wabash College (Crawfordsville). These centers provide pastoral services and ministries to students, including the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center across from Purdue Memorial Union in West Lafayette, home of 'Boiler Catholics.'
- Ball State University ministry center, Muncie
- Purdue University: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center / Boiler Catholics
- Wabash College ministry center, Crawfordsville
Saint Joseph Retreat & Conference Center
Located at 1440 W Division Road in Tipton, Indiana, Saint Joseph Retreat & Conference Center is the diocese's destination for spirituality, hospitality and an encounter with Christ. It is described on diocesan materials as 'a thin place' between the material world and the spiritual world. The center hosts retreats, conferences, days of recollection, and ministry formation, and is one of the participating sites for the Jubilee 2025 diocesan pilgrimage passport.
- 1440 W Division Road, Tipton, IN 46072
- Phone: (765) 551-9570
- Website: stjosephretreat.org
- Hosts retreats, conferences, ministry formation
- Jubilee 2025 pilgrimage site
Safe Environment & Protection of Children
The diocese maintains a Safe Environment program under the Office of the Vicar General / Chancellor, which supervises the Victim Assistance program. Bishop Doherty has chaired the USCCB Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People. Diocesan records released under Bishop Higi (2003) showed that 18 priests serving since 1950 had been credibly accused by 26 parishioners of abusing minors, with nine priests permanently removed from ministry. The diocese has removed priests from ministry and reported allegations as documented on the diocese's official site and in news investigations.
- Safe Environment Protocols under the Vicar General
- Victim Assistance program
- Bishop Doherty chairs the USCCB Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People
- Past removal of priests credibly accused (Ron Voss, Ken Bollinger, James Grear, others)
Communications & The Catholic Moment
The Office of Communications publishes The Catholic Moment, a diocesan newspaper that has been visiting homes in the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana since 1945. The paper is available online at catholicmoment.org and through the diocesan website. The diocese also maintains active social media presences on Facebook, X (Twitter), and YouTube.
- The Catholic Moment newspaper, published since 1945
- Available at catholicmoment.org
- Diocesan Facebook, X/Twitter, and YouTube channels
Lafayette Diocesan Foundation & Catholic Ministries Appeal
The Lafayette Diocesan Foundation Inc. supports the long-term financial and ministerial mission of the diocese. Each year the diocese conducts an Annual Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA), funding supported ministries including Catholic Schools, College Ministries, Saint Joseph Retreat & Conference Center, Clergy Support (training, retreats, continuing education, advanced degrees, medical insurance, salaries and pensions for retired and infirm priests), and architecture and building services.
- Lafayette Diocesan Foundation Inc.
- Annual Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA)
- Funds Catholic Schools, College Ministries, Saint Joseph Retreat Center
- Funds Clergy Support (training, healthcare, pensions)
- Funds Architecture & Building Services
Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope
For the Jubilee Year 2025 (opened December 24, 2024 and closing January 6, 2026), Bishop Doherty designated four Holy Sites in the diocese: the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Lafayette), St. Maria Goretti Parish (Westfield), St. Mary Catholic Church (Muncie), and St. Joseph Parish, Pulaski (Star City). Additional participating pastorates in the diocesan pilgrimage passport include Saint Joseph Retreat & Conference Center (Tipton), St. Thomas Aquinas at Purdue (West Lafayette), and St. Joan of Arc Parish. Pilgrims receive a Jubilee Passport and can collect stamps as they visit the sites.
- Jubilee Year opened December 24, 2024; closes January 6, 2026
- Four diocesan Holy Sites designated by Bishop Doherty
- Cathedral of St. Mary, St. Maria Goretti, St. Mary Muncie, St. Joseph Pulaski
- Diocesan Jubilee Passport program
- Additional sites: St. Joseph Retreat Center, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Joan of Arc
Diocesan Offices & Governance
The Chancery is led by the Vicar General / Chancellor / Moderator of the Curia (Rev. Theodore C. Dudzinski, J.C.L.), who assists the bishop in administering the diocese. The Office of the Chancellor maintains the diocesan archives, parish records, sacramental permissions (including marriage permissions and Defect of Form cases). The Office of Planning facilitates consultation across parishes, schools and diocesan staff to implement Uniting in Heart. Other offices include Catholic Schools, Communications, Stewardship, Vocations, and various ministries. The bishop's office is at 610 Lingle Avenue, Lafayette, IN 47902.
- Vicar General / Chancellor: Very Rev. Theodore C. Dudzinski, J.C.L.
- Office of the Chancellor — archives, sacramental permissions, marriage petitions
- Office of Planning — implements Uniting in Heart
- Offices for Catholic Schools, Communications, Vocations, Stewardship
- Bishop's Office: 610 Lingle Ave., Lafayette, IN 47902
Contact & Directions
The Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana is headquartered at 610 Lingle Avenue, P.O. Box 260, Lafayette, IN 47902-0260. Telephone (765) 742-0275; fax (765) 742-7513. The official website is dol-in.org. The Cathedral pastorate office may be reached at (765) 742-4440. Parking at the Cathedral is accessible from South Street (one-way east from South 9th Street); the top lot is reserved for accessibility needs; the lower lot is accessed from 11th Street east side; the lowest lot from 11th Street west side; elevator access through the lower doors of the Bishops Memorial Annex during Mass times.
- Mailing: P.O. Box 260, Lafayette, IN 47902-0260
- Street: 610 Lingle Avenue, Lafayette, IN
- Phone: (765) 742-0275 · Fax: (765) 742-7513
- Website: dol-in.org
- Cathedral office: (765) 742-4440
- Cathedral parking on South Street and 11th Street
