About Diocese of San Bernardino
The Diocese of San Bernardino is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church that covers San Bernardino and Riverside counties in Southern California's Inland Empire. Erected by Pope Paul VI on July 14, 1978 and canonically established November 6, 1978, it was carved out of the Diocese of San Diego to serve one of the fastest-growing Catholic populations in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and is led today by its third bishop, Alberto Rojas. With 92 parishes, roughly 30 schools, and approximately 1.74 million Catholics, it is one of the largest and most ethnically diverse dioceses in the American West.
- Bishop
- Alberto Rojas
- Established
- 1978
- Cathedral
- Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, San Bernardino
- Territory
- San Bernardino County and Riverside County, California (the Inland Empire), covering approximately 27,300 square miles.
- Parishes
- 92 parishes and 12 missions (as of 2021)
- Province
- Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Ecclesiastical Province of Los Angeles, metropolitan see)
History of the Diocese
The Diocese of San Bernardino was erected by Pope Paul VI on July 14, 1978 and canonically established on November 6, 1978 to meet the pastoral needs of the booming Inland Empire — San Bernardino and Riverside counties — which had become the fastest-growing region in the United States. The apostolic delegate, Archbishop Jean Jadot, announced the decision, and Bishop Leo Maher of San Diego blessed the 'child' that had 'matured and gone on its own.' The first ordinary was Father Phillip Straling, a San Bernardino native, who was ordained a bishop by Cardinal Timothy Manning at Raincross Square, Riverside. Under Straling the diocese exploded from 85 to 105 parishes and from 235,665 to 800,000 Catholics. He was succeeded in 1995 by Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Barnes, who completed the Diocesan Pastoral Center, articulated the diocesan vision 'filled with hope,' and led the diocese through the national clergy abuse crisis with widely praised transparency. In 2019 Pope Francis named Bishop Alberto Rojas of Chicago as coadjutor; Rojas succeeded Barnes on December 28, 2020 as the third ordinary bishop.
- Erected July 14, 1978 by Pope Paul VI
- Established Nov 6, 1978 at Raincross Square, Riverside
- Inherited 85 parishes, 235,665 Catholics, 171 priests, 31 schools
- First Bishop: Phillip Straling (1978–1995)
- Second Bishop: Gerald Barnes (1995–2020)
- Third Bishop: Alberto Rojas (2020–present)
Bishops of the Diocese
The diocese has had three ordinary bishops in its first 45 years, plus two auxiliary bishops (Gerald Barnes 1992–1996 and Rutilio del Riego 2005–2015). Bishop Alberto Rojas, born in Aguascalientes, Mexico on January 5, 1965, was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1997 and an auxiliary bishop of Chicago in 2011. Pope Francis appointed him coadjutor of San Bernardino on December 2, 2019 and he became the third bishop automatically when Pope Francis accepted Bishop Barnes's resignation on December 28, 2020. Bishop Gerald Barnes now serves as Bishop Emeritus, and Auxiliary Bishop Rutilio del Riego as Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus.
- Bishop Phillip F. Straling (1978–1995)
- Bishop Gerald R. Barnes (1995–2020)
- Bishop Alberto Rojas (2020–present)
- Auxiliary Bishop Rutilio J. del Riego (2005–2015)
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral
The diocesan cathedral, Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, sits at 2525 N. Arrowhead Avenue in San Bernardino. Its roots go back to Holy Rosary parish, established October 7, 1927 by Bishop John J. Cantwell of Los Angeles — only the third-oldest parish in San Bernardino at the time. Constructed in 1928, the church originally served Catholics living in the north section of the city, and its priests also served as chaplains to the county and state hospitals, the Patton Indian Reservation, and summer Masses at Lake Arrowhead. Bishop Phillip Straling, baptized at the parish in 1933 and its pastor from 1976, renamed it Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral upon his installation in 1978. A 5-year, $1 million restoration completed in Easter 1997 added a new tower, restrooms, protective panels on stained glass, a renovated hall, and expanded parking. Today the cathedral hosts more than 1,500 registered families, and serves as the symbolic heart of the diocese.
- Address: 2525 N. Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino, CA 92405
- Phone: (909) 883-8991
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 pm (English)
- Sunday Masses: 7 am, 9 am (Spanish), 11 am (English), 1 pm (Spanish)
- Weekday Mass: Monday–Friday 7 am; Tuesday 6 pm (Spanish)
- Confessions: Saturday 9 am and 2:30 pm; Thursday 7:30 am
- Eucharistic Adoration: Monday–Friday 8 am–6 pm in the Chapel
- Special 3 pm Mass for those with special needs (Niños Unidos) every 3rd Sunday
Catholic Schools
The Office of Catholic Schools oversees the diocese's network of 4 high schools, 22 elementary schools, and 2 preschools in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The high schools include Aquinas High School and Notre Dame High School; elementary academies include Holy Rosary Academy (founded 1947 under Dominican Sisters from Houston), Our Lady of the Assumption, Resurrection Academy, St. Joseph, St. Hyacinth, St. Jude Mission, Sacred Heart Academy, St. Jeanne de Lestonnac, St. Thomas, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Margaret Mary, and others. Bishop Barnes's Annual Bishop's Golf Classic (begun 2001) raises scholarship funds. Mission and Catholic Identity is led by Associate Director Edgardo Juarez; academic excellence by Christine Hanna; school leadership by Nathan Hauser Arnold; under Director Sr. Cecilia Duran, ODN. The office hours are Monday–Friday 8:30 am–4:30 pm, (909) 475-5437.
- 4 high schools
- 22 elementary schools
- 2 preschools
- Office of Catholic Schools (909) 475-5437
- Aquinas High School
- Notre Dame High School
- Holy Rosary Academy
Ministry Formation and Vocations
The formation of future clergy and lay ministers is a central ministry of the diocese. The Office of Vocations, directed by Fr. Hau Vu, promotes vocations through Parish Vocation Teams, Firestarter groups, and discernment programs. The St. Junipero Serra House of Formation houses seminarians in the diocese, and the diocese partners with seminaries in California and Mexico to prepare future priests. The Ministry Formation Institute (MFI), founded by Bishop Barnes in 1998 as a bilingual successor to Bishop Straling's Straling Institute, continues the formation of lay parish ministers. In May 2023 the diocese ordained seven priests — the largest ordination class in its history.
- Office of Vocations – (909) 783-1305
- Ministry Formation Institute (MFI)
- Straling Institute (founded 1980)
- St. Junipero Serra House of Formation
Hispanic, African Descent, Asian Pacific Islander, and Native American Ministries
The Diocese of San Bernardino is recognized for its cultural-ministry structure. The Office of Hispanic Affairs (directed by Wilfredo Aguirre) promotes the diocesan Hispanic Pastoral Plan and Diocesan Vision. The Office of Ministry to Catholics of African Descent, directed by David C. Okonkwo, links African American, Caribbean, and African-immigrant Catholic communities with parishes and is aligned with the National Black Catholic Congress. The Office of Asian Pacific Islander Ministry, led by Sr. Arlina Barral, MSCS, advocates for spiritual formation and pastoral care across the diocese's diverse Asian and Pacific communities. An Office of Native American Ministry serves tribal communities in partnership with the Inland Empire's reservations.
- Office of Hispanic Affairs
- Office of Ministry to Catholics of African Descent
- Office of Asian Pacific Islander Ministry (Sr. Arlina Barral, MSCS)
- Office of Native American Ministry
Life, Dignity, and Justice / Respect Life
The Office of Life, Dignity and Justice (MLDJ) coordinates the diocesan commitment to upholding the sacredness of human life and the common good. It encompasses the Office of Respect Life and Pastoral Care Programs and works closely with the Office of Advocacy. The diocese participates in Catholic Charities, the Independent Compensation Program for sexual-abuse survivors, and the parish CASA program for court-appointed special advocates for foster children.
- Office of Life, Dignity and Justice (MLDJ)
- Respect Life and Pastoral Care Programs
- CASA Program
- Catholic Charities of the Inland Empire
Office of Advocacy and Justice for Immigrants
The diocesan Office of Advocacy works with the faithful to bring God's mercy to the most vulnerable through civic engagement. The office partners with Catholic Charities, CHIRLA, and TODEC to provide legal aid, advocacy, and education to immigrants in the Inland Empire. Operation Bienvenida, launched in 2018 by the diocese, provides material support — food, clothing, and pastoral care — to asylum seekers released into the region. The office also organizes Catholic Advocacy Day in Sacramento each year and the Catholic Youth Advocacy Day for high-school students. Bishop Barnes chaired the USCCB Committee on Migration and Refugee Services and called the U.S. immigration system 'morally unacceptable.'
- Office of Advocacy
- Catholic Charities
- CHIRLA – legal aid & advocacy
- TODEC – Inland Empire immigrant support
- Operation Bienvenida (launched 2018)
- Catholic Advocacy Day (Sacramento)
- Catholic Youth Advocacy Day
Ministry With Young Catholics and Campus Ministry
The Office of Ministry With Young Catholics makes disciples of young people and the adults who accompany them. Directed by Dr. Amanda Alexander, the office includes formation teams for youth ministry and Confirmation, catechetical ministry consultants for each vicariate (West End, Riverside, Hemet, San Bernardino, High Desert, Low Desert), and an associate for Campus Ministry. Events include the Catholic Youth Advocacy Day and diocese-wide World Youth Day gatherings.
- Office of Ministry With Young Catholics – (909) 475-5387
- Campus Ministry
- Confirmation and Youth Ministry Formation Programs
- World Youth Day participation
Catholic Cemeteries
The Office of Catholic Cemeteries, directed by Alfred G. Martini, accompanies families at the most difficult times of their lives and promotes the Catholic funeral and burial traditions of consecrated ground. Its principal facility is Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery, 3510 E. Washington St., Colton, CA 92324 — described by Bishop Emeritus Gerald Barnes as 'a very beautiful Catholic cemetery ... centrally located in the city of Colton, making it easily accessible to families in the Inland Empire.' Same-day and pre-planning arrangements are supported through the office.
- Office of Catholic Cemeteries
- Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery, Colton
- Immediate Need line: (909) 825-3024
- Pre-Planning line: (909) 825-9246
Diocesan Pastoral Center and Administration
The Diocesan Pastoral Center, opened in 1995, is the centralized administrative home of the bishop and all diocesan ministries. Located at 1201 E. Highland Avenue in San Bernardino, the 55,000-square-foot building contains offices for about 130 employees, two banquet rooms, meeting rooms, an employee lounge, and a chapel. It was the first time in the diocese's history that all departments (except Catholic Charities) shared the same building. The Very Rev. Gerard Lopez serves as Vicar General/Chancellor; Very Rev. Rafael Partida and Very Rev. Romeo Seleccion, M.S., serve as delegates of the bishop for Riverside and San Bernardino counties respectively.
- Address: 1201 E. Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92404
- Phone: (909) 475-5300
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Vicar General/Chancellor: Very Rev. Gerard Lopez
Response to the Clergy Sexual Abuse Crisis
Beginning with Bishop Barnes's tenure, the diocese faced the national clergy abuse crisis head-on and became a model for transparency. A 2004 audit ranked it 7th out of 191 U.S. dioceses in implementing the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The Office of Child and Youth Protection (est. 2008) supervises fingerprinting of more than 18,000 diocesan personnel, Virtus safe-environment training for 15,000 adults, and abuse-prevention training for 60,000 children. In 2007, the diocese paid $15.1 million to settle 11 abuse cases; in 2008, a joint settlement with the Dioceses of San Diego and Los Angeles added another $18.2 million for 19 more victims. The diocese published its list of credibly accused priests in October 2018, becoming one of the first few dozen U.S. dioceses to do so. Through the California Independent Compensation Program (closed August 2021), the diocese paid 15 additional claims totaling $2.2 million.
- 10-Point Plan in response to abuse crisis
- Office of Child and Youth Protection
- 2007 settlement of $15.1 million
- 2008 joint settlement of $18.2 million
- Public list of credibly accused priests (October 2018)
- California Independent Compensation Program (15 claims, $2.2 million)
Sacraments and Sacramental Records
The Office of Ecclesial Services assists the diocese with sacramental preparation. The diocese maintains sacramental records through the Office of Archives, which preserves records of all major Catholic events since 1850 and provides sacramental certificates to the faithful. Persons seeking sacramental records may contact the Archives Office. Adult Confirmation, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), Marriage and Family Life Ministry, Confession schedules, Daily Mass Readings, and parish-finder tools are all hosted on the diocesan website.
- Office of Ecclesial Services (Deacon Luis Sanchez, Department Head)
- Office of Archives
- Marriage and Family Life Ministry
- RCIA / Adult Confirmation programs
Getting Involved
The diocese invites laypeople to participate in parish ministries, volunteer with Catholic Charities, support advocacy initiatives like Operation Bienvenida, and join faith-formation programs. The Diocese of San Bernardino's biennial Ministry Formation Institute trains lay leaders; the Lay Formation track and various parish councils welcome involvement. The Annual Bishop's Golf Classic raises scholarship funds for Catholic school attendance. Donations can be made through the Diocesan Development Fund.
- Diocesan Development Fund (DDF)
- Annual Bishop's Golf Classic
- Catholic Charities volunteer opportunities
- Lay Formation programs
- Advocacy Day participation
