About Diocese of Salina
The Diocese of Salina (Latin: Dioecesis Salinensis) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church covering 31 counties across north-central and northwest Kansas. Established by Pope Leo XIII on August 2, 1887 as the Diocese of Concordia and renamed the Diocese of Salina by Pope Pius XII on December 23, 1944, it is a suffragan of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. The see is the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina, the patroness is Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and the current ordinary is Bishop Gerald Lee Vincke, the 12th bishop, ordained and installed in 2018.
- Bishop
- Gerald Lee Vincke
- Established
- 1887
- Cathedral
- Sacred Heart Cathedral, Salina, Kansas
- Territory
- 31 counties in north-central and northwest Kansas: Cheyenne, Sherman, Wallace, Logan, Thomas, Rawlins, Decatur, Sheridan, Gove, Trego, Graham, Norton, Phillips, Rooks, Ellis, Russell, Osborne, Smith, Jewell, Mitchell, Lincoln, Ellsworth, Saline, Ottawa, Cloud, Republic, Washington, Clay, Dickinson, Geary, and Riley.
- Parishes
- 86 parishes (2010 census); 85 parishes + 1 mission per current diocesan data
- Province
- Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
About the Diocese of Salina
The Catholic Diocese of Salina, formerly the Diocese of Concordia, was established on August 2, 1887 and transferred from Concordia to Salina on December 23, 1944. The diocese covers 31 counties across 26,685 square miles of north-central and northwest Kansas and has a Catholic population of roughly 40,000–46,000 faithful served by about 85 parishes and one mission. The mission statement — 'Together, let us be disciples of Jesus on mission' — frames every diocesan office, school and parish ministry.
- Established August 2, 1887 (Diocese of Concordia)
- Renamed Diocese of Salina on December 23, 1944
- 31 counties; 26,685 square miles
- Suffragan of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
- Mission: 'Together, let us be disciples of Jesus on mission'
Bishops of the Diocese in Succession
Twelve bishops have led the diocese since 1887, beginning with Bishop Richard Scannell and continuing today with the 12th bishop, Gerald L. Vincke (2018–present). Between Scannell's departure (1891) and John F. Cunningham's appointment (1898) Bishop John J. Hennessy of Wichita served as apostolic administrator; Thaddeus J. Butler was named Scannell's successor in 1897 but died before consecration. Bishops Tief, Thill and Freking were the great builders of the 20th century; Vogel led the diocese through Vatican II; Kucera, Fitzsimons, Coakley and Weisenburger shaped its modern structures; and Vincke is its present ordinary.
- Richard Scannell (1887–1891)
- Thaddeus J. Butler (1897, died before consecration)
- John J. Hennessy, Apostolic Administrator (1891–1898)
- John F. Cunningham (1898–1919)
- Francis J. Tief (1920–1938)
- Francis A. Thill (1938–1957)
- Frederick W. Freking (1957–1964)
- Cyril J. Vogel (1965–1979)
- Daniel W. Kucera, O.S.B. (1980–1983)
- George K. Fitzsimons (1984–2004)
- Paul S. Coakley (2004–2011)
- Edward J. Weisenburger (2011–2017)
- Gerald L. Vincke (2018–Present)
Bishop Gerald L. Vincke
Bishop Gerald 'Jerry' Lee Vincke, the 12th bishop of Salina, was appointed by Pope Francis on June 13, 2018 and ordained a bishop on August 22, 2018 — the Feast of the Queenship of Mary — at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas was the principal consecrator. A native of Michigan, Vincke was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Lansing in 1999, served as parochial vicar at St. Thomas the Apostle in Ann Arbor, directed Bethany House youth retreat center, and later served as Vocation Director before being named Spiritual Director of the Pontifical North American College in Rome (2010–2015), where he earned an S.T.L. in Spiritual Theology. Pope Benedict XVI named him a Monsignor in 2012. In 2015 he returned to Lansing as pastor of Holy Family Parish in Grand Blanc, Michigan, and in 2018 was called to lead the Diocese of Salina.
- Appointed June 13, 2018; ordained August 22, 2018
- Former pastor of Holy Family Parish, Grand Blanc, Michigan
- Former Spiritual Director of the Pontifical North American College in Rome (2010–2015)
- Holds an S.T.L. in Spiritual Theology
- Named Monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012
Sacred Heart Cathedral & Parish Life in Salina
Sacred Heart Cathedral (118 N. 9th St., Salina) became the cathedral of the diocese on December 23, 1944 when the see was moved from Concordia. The current limestone cathedral was designed by architect Edward J. Schulte of Cincinnati; its cornerstone was laid June 4, 1951 and Bishop Thill dedicated it on June 6, 1953 at a cost of nearly $1 million — completely paid for when it opened. A 1998 renovation altered the interior, and in 2000 a Hall of Bishops and a large gathering space were added. The parish opened a school in 1878, welcomed the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth in 1879, and for decades has been the heart of Catholic life in Salina alongside St. Mary, Queen of the Universe Parish (est. 1959) and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.
- First Mass in Salina: 1861, celebrated by Fr. Louis Dumortier, S.J.
- First Catholic church: brick structure built 1876 at 9th & Iron
- Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth taught from 1879
- Current cathedral dedicated June 6, 1953
- Twin towers designed by Edward J. Schulte of Cincinnati
Catholic Schools
The Catholic schools of the Diocese of Salina are committed to fostering an environment of support and coordination for Catholic schools, their principals, faculty and students, with the goal of maximizing quality Catholic education. The system was recently named a 'System of Distinction' by Cognia after completing a five-year accreditation cycle. Superintendent Geoff Andrews oversees schools that follow nine Characteristics of Catholic identity established by the U.S. bishops. Sacred Heart Jr-Sr High School in Salina, drawing students from the three Salina parishes, has a long tradition of excellence in academics, athletics and spiritual formation and has won more than 40 state championships in sports.
- Named a 'System of Distinction' by Cognia
- Superintendent: Geoff Andrews
- Sacred Heart Jr-Sr High School in Salina (3 parish service area)
- Love N' Learn Early Childhood Center (preschool)
- Nine Characteristics of Catholic Identity guide every school
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The Office of Religious Education supports parish catechetical leaders, Catholic-school catechists, directors of religious education and parents across the diocese. Through a new partnership with the Catechetical Institute of Franciscan University of Steubenville, the diocese offers Basic, Advanced and Master-level certifications in parish religious education, Catholic school catechist leadership, Catholic school administration, Jr. CYO/CYO leadership and 'Parents as Catechist' tracks — with tuition covered by the diocese. The office also coordinates Catechetical Sunday (September 21), FORMED digital content, RCIA support, and ongoing Pastoral Ministry Formation.
- Three certification levels via Franciscan University partnership
- Free diocesan tuition for catechist formation
- Catechetical Sunday celebrated September 21
- Pastoral Ministry Formation program offered locally
- Free FORMED digital subscription available
Youth Ministry & Prayer and Action
The Youth Ministry Office fosters the total personal and spiritual growth of high-school youth and young adults through retreats, rallies, conferences, camp, training and in-services. Its signature program is Prayer and Action, founded in 2006 by Father Gale Hammerschmidt to provide a low-cost mission trip and serve the poor, handicapped and elderly of the diocese. Each summer week, high-school students (9th–12th grade) travel to a different host community for five days of painting, cleaning, yard work and other service, accompanied by one adult chaperone per six youth. The 2026 Prayer & Action locations are Belleville (June) and Ellsworth (July); seminarians and dynamic college students serve as team leaders.
- Prayer and Action founded 2006 by Fr. Gale Hammerschmidt
- Named after a St. Pope John Paul II quote on Mary's prayer and action
- Summer 2026 sites: Belleville (June), Ellsworth (July)
- Junior CYO Camp 2026
- Diocesan youth minister retreat offered annually
Catholic Charities & Outreach
Catholic Charities of Salina, founded in 1959 by Bishop Frederick W. Freking during his short tenure as second bishop of Salina, continues the diocese's commitment to corporal works of mercy across all 31 counties. The diocese also supports the diocesan Charity and Religion Fund (expanded under Bishop Freking to help parishes finance construction and renovation), rural life ministry (established by Bishop Fitzsimons), Respect Life and Natural Family Planning ministries, and disaster-response efforts in tornado- and storm-prone northwest Kansas. The McCarrick situation in 2018–2020 at St. Fidelis Parish in Victoria drew national attention to the diocese's pastoral decisions under Bishop Vincke.
- Catholic Charities of Salina founded 1959
- Diocesan Charity and Religion Fund helps parishes fund projects
- Rural Life Commission active since the Fitzsimons years
- St. Fidelis Parish, Victoria ('Cathedral of the Plains')
- Annual Natural Family Planning Awareness Week observed
Offices, Communications & Publications
The Chancery Office at 103 N. 9th Street, Salina (P.O. Box 980, Salina, KS 67402-0980) is staffed by a bishop's office, vicar general, finance, communications, and various ministry offices. The Office of Communications manages the diocesan website, social media platforms and diocesan publications, including The Register — the diocese's official newspaper — and faith magazine. An annual Publications Drive funds the office's storytelling work across digital, print and podcast channels.
- Chancery: 103 N. 9th, P.O. Box 980, Salina, KS 67402-0980
- Phone: (785) 827-8746; Fax: (785) 827-6133
- Diocesan newspaper: The Register
- Faith magazine published periodically
- Active on Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram
Heritage: From Concordia Cathedral to Salina
When the diocese was erected in 1887 its cathedral was Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Concordia. After Bishop Thill liquidated the diocesan debt and oversaw tremendous growth, Pope Pius XII in 1944 renamed the see the Diocese of Salina and Sacred Heart Church in Salina was designated the new cathedral. Concordia remained an important part of the diocese, however, with the Home of the Little Flower (1924) and the original episcopal residence and chancery (1926–27) standing as lasting monuments of the Concordia era. Today the diocese's patroness remains Our Lady of Perpetual Help and its cathedral dedication anniversary is celebrated June 19.
- Original cathedral: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Concordia
- See transferred to Salina on December 23, 1944
- Concordia retains historic diocesan buildings
- Patroness: Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Cathedral dedication anniversary: June 19
