About Diocese of Tucson
The Diocese of Tucson (Latin: Dioecesis Tucsonensis) is a Latin Church diocese of the Roman Catholic Church serving the southern portion of Arizona, United States. Erected in 1897 from the older Apostolic Vicariate of Arizona (1868), it is a suffragan of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Santa Fe and is the fifth-largest diocese in the continental United States by area, covering nine counties and roughly 42,707 square miles. It serves about 400,000 Catholics through 77 parishes, 24 Catholic schools, and member agencies including Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona. The mother church is St. Augustine Cathedral in downtown Tucson; the diocese's patron is Saint Augustine of Hippo, and its history reaches back to the Jesuit missions of Eusebio Kino in the 1690s.
- Bishop
- James A. Misko
- Established
- 1897
- Cathedral
- Cathedral of Saint Augustine (Catedral de San Agustín), Tucson, Arizona
- Territory
- Nine counties in southern Arizona: Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Pinal (excluding the Gila River Indian Reservation), Cochise, Santa Cruz, Pima, Yuma, and La Paz
- Parishes
- 77 parishes (plus missions); also reported as '77 parishes, 1 mission' in diocesan statistics
- Province
- Archdiocese of Santa Fe (Ecclesiastical Province of Santa Fe)
Overview and Mission
The Diocese of Tucson describes itself as a mission diocese of nine counties in southern Arizona, an area larger than many U.S. states, serving about 400,000 Catholics through 77 parishes, 24 Catholic schools, four member agencies, and hundreds of charitable and fraternal organizations. Its stated mission is "to build God's Kingdom and witness the faith through acts of charity, worship, and evangelization."
- Nine counties; 42,707 square miles — the 5th-largest diocese in the continental United States.
- Approximately 400,000 Catholics served.
- 77 parishes plus missions, and 22–24 Catholic schools.
- 177 priests, 158 deacons, 181 religious, and 8 seminarians.
- Member agencies: Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson, Catholic Tuition Support Organization, Diocese of Tucson Catholic Cemeteries.
Bishops and Leadership
The diocese is led by Bishop James A. Misko, the eighth ordinary, appointed by Pope Leo XIV on December 22, 2025 and ordained and installed at St. Augustine Cathedral on February 21, 2026. Bishop emeritus Gerald Frederick Kicanas continues to serve the diocese. The Pastoral Center staff at Cathedral Square supports the bishop across administration, pastoral services, schools, communications and vocations.
- Current bishop: Most Rev. James A. Misko (eighth bishop).
- Bishop emeritus: Most Rev. Gerald Frederick Kicanas.
- Executive Assistant to the Bishop: Clara Heslinga — [email protected], (520) 838-2500.
- Misko was the vicar general and moderator of the curia of the Diocese of Austin before his appointment.
History of the Diocese
Catholic life in Arizona is one of the oldest in the U.S. Southwest, beginning with Padre Kino's missions of the 1690s. The Apostolic Vicariate of Arizona was erected in 1868 from the Diocese of Santa Fe; on May 8, 1897, Pope Leo XIII elevated it to the Diocese of Tucson and appointed Peter Bourgade as its first bishop. Twentieth-century diocesan history is in many ways a story of territory lost, with the 1914 creation of El Paso, the 1939 creation of Gallup, and the 1969 creation of Phoenix all drawing counties out of Tucson. Padre Kino was declared Venerable in 2020.
- 1858 — Bishop Lamy sends Father Machebeuf to survey Tucson.
- 1868 — Apostolic Vicariate of Arizona erected; San Agustín (later St. Augustine Cathedral) completed.
- 1868 — Immaculate Conception Parish in Yuma erected.
- 1870 — Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet arrive in Tucson.
- 1880 — St. Mary's Hospital opens (first hospital in Arizona Territory).
- 1881 — Sacred Heart Parish in Tombstone established.
- 1893 — Sisters of St. Joseph open St. Joseph's Orphanage.
- 1897 — Vicariate elevated to the Diocese of Tucson.
- 1914 — Diocese of El Paso erected from Tucson territory.
- 1939 — Diocese of Gallup erected (Tucson loses New Mexico plus northern Arizona).
- 1969 — Diocese of Phoenix erected (Tucson loses Maricopa County and the Phoenix area).
- 2004 — Diocese files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (second U.S. diocese to do so).
- 2020 — Padre Eusebio Kino declared Venerable.
- 2025–2026 — Bishop James A. Misko appointed, ordained and installed.
St. Augustine Cathedral
The Cathedral of Saint Augustine (Catedral de San Agustín), located in downtown Tucson at 192 South Stone Avenue, is the mother church of the diocese and traces its origin to the 1775 chapel of the Royal Presidio of San Agustín del Tucson. The present structure was completed in brick in 1868 by Vicar Apostolic Jean-Baptiste Salpointe, rebuilt in 1897 by Bishop Bourgade, given its present Mexican-Baroque façade (modeled on the Cathedral of Querétaro) in 1928, and gutted and rebuilt — preserving only the façade and towers — during the 1966–1968 centenary restoration under Bishop Francis Joseph Green. A 2010–2011 renovation updated lighting, sound, pews and tile flooring at a cost of more than $1 million. The cathedral is dedicated on October 3.
- Original chapel: 1775 (within the Royal Presidio of San Agustín del Tucson).
- Brick cathedral completed: 1868.
- Façade in Mexican-Baroque style: 1928.
- Centenary restoration: 1966–1968.
- Most recent major renovation: 2010–2011, rededicated February 12, 2011.
Parishes and Pastoral Services
Pastoral Services coordinates sacramental preparation, religious education, ministry certification, and parish events across the diocese. The diocese publishes Sacramental Guidelines covering Baptism (infant and adult), First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, homeschooling for sacramental preparation, and funeral Mass outside of the parish church. The Religious Education and Youth Ministry Convocation takes place each August, and a National Collection Calendar coordinates annual second collections. The diocese maintains a Tucson Parish Boundaries map to clarify parish responsibilities in the metropolitan area.
- Parish Finder and Sacramental Guidelines available on diocesetucson.org.
- Three levels of Parish Ministry Certification for catechists and ministry leaders.
- Director of Pastoral Services: Sr. Lois Paha, O.P., D.Min. — (520) 838-2545, [email protected].
- Program Manager: Ofelia James — (520) 838-2545, [email protected].
- Liturgist: Rev. Miguel Mariano — (520) 838-2545.
Catholic Schools
The Department of Catholic Schools oversees 24 diocesan schools — 18 elementary schools, one Pre-K-through-12 school, four high schools, and one early childhood center — in Tucson, Yuma, Sierra Vista, Nogales, Douglas, Casa Grande and on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. All schools are accredited through the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA) and supported by the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA). The Catholic Tuition Support Organization (CTSO), founded in 1999, has provided more than 55,000 need-based scholarships drawing on Arizona's School Tuition Organization tax-credit program and the state's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. Elementary schools participate in the Diocesan Youth Sports League, and Catholic high schools compete in the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA).
- 24 diocesan schools total (18 elementary, 1 Pre-K–12, 4 high schools, 1 early childhood center).
- Accreditation: Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA).
- Athletics: Diocesan Youth Sports League (elementary); Arizona Interscholastic Association (high schools).
- Financial aid: Catholic Tuition Support Organization (CTSO) and Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA).
Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona (CCS)
Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, a member agency of the Diocese of Tucson since 1933, provides social services across the region under the banner "Providing Help. Creating Hope. Serving All." Programs are organized under Housing & Shelter, Behavioral Health, Food & Basic Needs, Youth & Families, Seniors, Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Ministries, and Additional Support Services. CCS also operates Medical Respite at Casa de Respiro for unhospitalized but medically fragile adults.
- Transitional Housing — affordable apartments for up to 12 months for low-income families.
- Behavioral Health — compassionate mental-health and wrap-around services.
- John Valenzuela Youth Center — programs for at-risk youth ages 5–18.
- Pio Decimo Center — early-childhood education and childcare.
- Foster Care and Adoption services.
- Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard-of-Hearing communication access and advocacy.
Vocations and Clergy
The Office of Vocations supports men discerning priestly vocations and coordinates with the Diocesan Vocations team. The diocese currently lists 8 seminarians in formation, and 158 deacons serve throughout the parishes alongside 177 priests. Coadjutor and auxiliary bishops who served in Tucson before moving on include Auxiliary Bishop Francis Joseph Green (1960) and Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Frederick Kicanas (2001–2003).
- 177 priests active in the diocese (110 diocesan, 69 religious).
- 158 permanent deacons in ministry.
- 8 seminarians currently in formation.
- Vocations website: diocesetucson.org/vocations.
Offices, Archives and Administration
Diocesan offices — including the Office of the Bishop, Pastoral Services, Catholic Schools, Communications, and the diocesan archives — operate from the Pastoral Center at Cathedral Square, 192 South Stone Avenue, Building 2, Tucson, AZ 85701 (mailing P.O. Box 31, Tucson, AZ 85702). The Archives can be reached at [email protected] or (520) 886-5201; the main chancery line is (520) 838-2500, fax (520) 838-2590.
- Pastoral Center: 192 South Stone Avenue, Building 2, Tucson, AZ 85701.
- Mailing: P.O. Box 31, Tucson, AZ 85702.
- Diocesan Archives: 300 South Tucson Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85716 — (520) 886-5201, [email protected].
- Telephone: (520) 838-2500; Fax: (520) 838-2590.
Catholic Cemeteries, Foundation and Giving
The Diocese of Tucson Catholic Cemeteries is one of the diocese's four member agencies and serves Catholic burial needs across southern Arizona. The Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson manages endowed funds and planned giving; donations can be directed to the Annual Catholic Appeal, specific parish efforts, seminarian support, Catholic schools, CCS or missionary work. The Catholic Tuition Support Organization (CTSO) channels Arizona's tax-credit contributions into K–12 scholarships.
- Diocese of Tucson Catholic Cemeteries — Catholic burial services.
- Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson — endowments and planned gifts.
- Catholic Tuition Support Organization — since 1999, more than 55,000 scholarships awarded.
