Statement of Our Mission
We, the Roman Catholic people of the Diocese of Salina, a community of faith united with our bishop, are called to live out the mission of Jesus Christ. Through Baptism we are given the grace of God’s salvation and the individual and collective responsibility to continue Christ’s mission of advancing the Kingdom of God in the human family. We share our living faith by proclaiming the Gospel in word, worship, and service. Therefore, we dedicate ourselves as a church to be ministers of the Word of God and to extend our heritage of faith, not only among the communities of northwest and north-central Kansas but among all the peoples of the world.
History
The Catholic Diocese of Salina, formerly the Catholic Diocese of Concordia, was established on August 2, 1887. It was moved from Concordia to Salina on December 23, 1944. The counties included in this diocese are Cheyenne, Sherman, Wallace, Logan, Thomas, Rawlins, Decatur, Sheridan, Gove, Trego, Graham, Norton, Phillips, Rooks, Ellis, Russell, Osborne, Smith, Jewel, Mitchell, Lincoln, Ellsworth, Saline, Ottawa, Cloud, Republic, Washington, Clay, Dickinson, Geary, and Riley. It covers 26,685 square miles and has a Catholic population of 40,546.
The Bishops of the Diocese Salina
| The Most Reverend Richard Scannell | 1887-1891 |
| The Most Reverend John J. Hennessy (Apostolic Administrator) | 1891-1898 |
| The Most Reverend John F. Cunningham | 1898-1919 |
| The Most Reverend Francis J. Tief | 1920-1938 |
| The Most Reverend Francis A. Thill | 1938-1957 |
| The Most Reverend Frederick W. Freking | 1957-1964 |
| The Most Reverend Cyril J. Vogel | 1965-1979 |
| The Most Reverend Daniel W. Kucera | 1980-1983 |
| The Most Reverend George K. Fitzsimons | 1984-2004 |
| The Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley | 2004-2011 |
| The Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger | 2011- 2017 |
| The Most Reverend Gerald L. Vincke | 2018 – Present |
Our Coat of Arms
See our Coat of Arms and learn about the Heraldic symbolism behind it.
View Coat of Arms