About Diocese of Steubenville
The Diocese of Steubenville (Latin: Dioecesis Steubenvicensis) is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church covering thirteen counties in southeastern Ohio. Established on October 21, 1944 by Pope Pius XII and carved out of the Diocese of Columbus, it is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The see is currently vacant; Bishop Edward M. Lohse of Kalamazoo serves as apostolic administrator. The diocese is best known as home to Franciscan University of Steubenville and now faces an anticipated merger with the Diocese of Columbus because of declining population and finances.
- Apostolic Administrator (Bishop see vacant)
- Edward M. Lohse (apostolic administrator; bishop see vacant)
- Established
- 1944
- Cathedral
- Holy Name Cathedral, Steubenville (closed since 2014)
- Territory
- Thirteen counties in southeastern Ohio: Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, and Washington (5,913 sq mi / 15,310 sq km).
- Parishes
- 50 (as of 2023 Official Catholic Directory)
- Province
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Ecclesiastical Province of Cincinnati)
History of the Diocese of Steubenville
Established October 21, 1944 by Pope Pius XII out of thirteen counties of the Diocese of Columbus and made a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Bishop John King Mussio, former chancellor of Cincinnati, was named its first bishop on March 15, 1945 — at age 42 the youngest in the country — and was installed at Holy Name Cathedral on May 23, 1945. From a starting point of just four downtown Steubenville parishes and one small hospital, Mussio built 49 churches, established 73 parishes and 20 missions, opened 11 elementary schools and 3 high schools, founded the College of Steubenville (1946, now Franciscan University), St. John Vianney Seminary, Catholic Social Services, Samaritan House, and St. John's Villa.
The second bishop (Albert H. Ottenweller, 1977–1992), third (Gilbert I. Sheldon, 1992–2002), and fourth (R. Daniel Conlon, 2002–2011) continued the work; Conlon attempted a sweeping merger of six Steubenville parishes and a new cathedral plan that was shelved in 2011. Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton (2012–2023) cancelled the cathedral renovation in 2022 and initiated merger discussions with the Diocese of Columbus. After Monforton's appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit in September 2023, Bishop Paul J. Bradley served briefly as apostolic administrator, and Bishop Edward M. Lohse of Kalamazoo has held the role since June 14, 2024.
- Erected October 21, 1944 from 13 counties of the Diocese of Columbus
- First bishop installed May 23, 1945 at Holy Name Cathedral
- Bishops: Mussio (1945–77), Ottenweller (1977–92), Sheldon (1992–2002), Conlon (2002–11), Monforton (2012–23)
- Apostolic administrators: Bradley (2023–24), Lohse (2024– )
- 80th anniversary celebrated October 21, 2024 with Mass at Holy Rosary Church
Holy Name Cathedral & Triumph of the Cross Parish
Holy Name Parish was founded in 1885. The present cathedral structure was completed in 1890 and rebuilt between 1953 and 1957, becoming the cathedral when the diocese was erected in 1944. The towers were removed in the 1957 renovation. In 2008, under Bishop Conlon, Holy Name was merged with Holy Rosary, St. Pius X, St. Anthony, St. Stanislaus, and Servants of Christ the King parishes to form Triumph of the Cross Parish, which worships in both Holy Name Cathedral and Holy Rosary Church.
In June 2013 Bishop Monforton announced a plan to renovate the cathedral in partnership with Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and the Jefferson County Public Library; the cathedral was closed in 2014. After a new roof was installed in 2019, Bishop Monforton formally abandoned the renovation in May 2022, citing financial malfeasance by two employees, the collapse of the steel-and-coal economy, and a declining, aging population. Holy Name Cathedral remains closed as of 2026.
- Holy Name Parish founded 1885; current structure 1890, rebuilt 1953–57
- Six-parish consolidation in 2008 created Triumph of the Cross Parish
- Cathedral closed since 2014; renovation cancelled May 2022
- Co-cathedral functions held at Holy Rosary Church and Mount Calvary Cemetery
Franciscan University of Steubenville
The College of Steubenville was opened in 1946 by the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular at Bishop Mussio's invitation to serve World War II veterans. It is today Franciscan University of Steubenville and remains the most prominent Catholic institution within the diocese. Bishop Monforton served as an adjunct faculty member and was awarded an honorary doctorate in sacred theology from the university in 2014. The retired and reconsecrated Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel on the first floor of the former diocesan chancery is now owned by the College of St. Joseph the Worker, which purchased the building in 2023.
- Opened 1946 as College of Steubenville by Franciscan Friars TOR
- Bishop Mussio personally invited the Franciscans to the diocese
- Bishop Monforton served as adjunct faculty there
Catholic Schools (K–12)
The Diocese of Steubenville operates a system of parish and 'central' Catholic schools across its thirteen counties. Through the Ohio EdChoice Scholarship Program, many families qualify to attend tuition-free. There are nine elementary schools and two diocesan high schools.
- Bishop John King Mussio Central Elementary School, Steubenville (Preschool–6, est. 2008)
- Catholic Central Junior/Senior High School, Steubenville (7–12, founded 1889)
- St. Mary Central School, St. Clairsville (PreK–8, founded 1955)
- St. Mary Central School, Martins Ferry (PreK–8, founded 1889)
- St. Sylvester Central School, Woodsfield (K–8, founded 1870)
- St. Mary School, Marietta (PreK–8, founded 1896)
- St. Benedict School, Cambridge (K–8, founded 1911)
- St. John Central School, Churchtown (K–5, founded 1956)
- St. Lawrence Central School, Ironton (PreK–6, founded 1909)
- St. Joseph Central High School, Ironton (7–12, founded 1924)
Catholic Charities of Southeastern Ohio
Catholic Charities of Southeastern Ohio, the social-services arm of the diocese, provides material assistance to individuals and families and outreach to Hispanic/Latino parishioners. Its offices are located at the Sacred Heart Center of Hope, 430 Slack Street, Steubenville (740-314-8660), open 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Clients should bring photo ID, Social Security cards, proof of income, and a utility bill statement.
- Located at Sacred Heart Center of Hope, 430 Slack St., Steubenville
- Phone: (740) 314-8660
- Hispanic/Latino outreach and care for creation initiatives
- Samaritan House food pantry and thrift store (founded by Bishop Mussio)
Marriage, Family, and Respect Life
The diocesan Marriage, Family and Respect Life office coordinates marriage preparation, Natural Family Planning, and a full range of pro-life ministries. Bishop Ottenweller (1977–1992) was notably active in the pro-life movement, a tradition continued by his successors. The diocese participates in the USCCB's Project Rachel post-abortion healing ministry.
- Marriage preparation and NFP instruction
- Project Rachel post-abortion ministry
- Diocesan-wide Respect Life coordination
- Victory of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Society
Vocations, Seminarians, and Permanent Diaconate
Under Bishop Monforton the diocese doubled its number of seminarians (from 5 to 10) and on November 10, 2012, ordained the diocese's first permanent deacon class (six men). The diocese operates a Director of Vocations and a Director of Diaconal Formation, and remains affiliated with the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, the Pontifical North American College in Rome, and St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
- Director of Vocations: Father Nicholas V. Ginnetti
- Director of Diaconal Formation assists at Triumph of the Cross, Steubenville
- Seminarian formation partnerships: Josephinum (Columbus), PNAC (Rome), St. Vincent (Latrobe)
Christian Formation and Schools Office
The Christian Formation and Schools office, directed by Deacon Paul D. Ward, oversees religious education programs across the parishes and supports the diocesan Catholic schools. Parishes across the 13 counties offer K–8 faith formation, Confirmation preparation, adult faith formation, and sacramental preparation.
- Director of Christian Formation and Schools
- Parish-based religious education programs
- Adult faith formation across 50 parishes
The Steubenville Register
The diocesan newspaper, The Steubenville Register, was founded by Bishop Mussio in 1945 and is published by the diocese (currently under Bishop Lohse in his capacity as Publisher). Bishops have long contributed regular columns — Bishop Sheldon continued his biweekly articles even after retirement in 2002.
- Founded in 1945 by Bishop Mussio
- Published by the Diocese of Steubenville
- Long-running bishops' columns
Diocesan Staff and Chancery
Until 2023 the chancery occupied the former Ohio Bell Telephone Company building at 422 Washington Street, purchased by the diocese in 1945; it is still the diocesan mailing address. In 2023 the building was sold to the College of St. Joseph the Worker. The restored Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel on the first floor reopened for Mass in May 2024. Key diocesan offices include the Director of Administration, Finance Office, Human Resources, Communications, Christian Formation and Schools, Catholic Charities, Marriage/Family/Respect Life, Diaconal Ministries, Vocations, Facilities, the Diocesan Parish Share Campaign, and the Priests Retirement fund.
- Chancery mailing: P.O. Box 969, Steubenville, OH 43952
- Phone: (740) 282-3631
- Diaconal Ministries Director serves part-time at Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Lourdes, Wintersville
- Bishop's Master of Ceremonies assists from St. Benedict, Cambridge
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Patroness of the Diocese
The first bishop dedicated the diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at its founding in 1945. The patroness was reaffirmed throughout the diocese's history, including by Bishop Monforton, who led a public reconsecration of the diocese on June 24, 2017 at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Marietta. The Victory of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Society continues to promote devotion to the patroness across the parishes.
- Diocese consecrated to Immaculate Heart of Mary by Bishop Mussio in 1945
- Reconsecrated by Bishop Monforton at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, Marietta, June 24, 2017
- Victory of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Society active across the diocese
Sisters, Brothers, and Religious Orders
Religious orders have shaped the diocese since its founding. The Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular founded the College of Steubenville in 1946. The Sylvania Franciscan Sisters opened St. John's Medical Center in 1960 and continue to staff Gill Memorial Hospital. The Camaldolese Order established Holy Family Hermitage in McConnelsville in 1959. Three religious sisters with Mussio's help opened St. John's Villa in 1951 for people with developmental disabilities.
- Franciscan Friars TOR — College of Steubenville (1946)
- Sylvania Franciscan Sisters — Gill Memorial Hospital & St. John's Medical Center
- Camaldolese Benedictines — Holy Family Hermitage, McConnelsville (1959)
- Apostolate for Family Consecration — purchased former St. John Vianney Seminary
Steubenville and the Ohio Valley: Pastoral Realities
The diocese sits in the Ohio Valley where the economy was historically tied to coal mining and steel production. With that base now collapsed, the population has steadily declined and aged, directly affecting parish sustainability, priestly vocations, and diocesan finances. These realities shaped the 2008 parish consolidations, the 2022 cancellation of the cathedral renovation, and the current merger discussions.
- 13 counties of southeastern Ohio; area 5,913 sq mi
- Coal-and-steel economy now collapsed
- Catholic population decreased 5.9% to ~481,411 in 2023
- Five-to-ten-year merger horizon stated by Bishop Lohse in 2025
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