Archdiocese of Miami
Archdiocese of Miami
The Archdiocese of Miami is the Catholic Church region that covers South Florida. It includes Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties and serves as the main church authority for the area. It is the metropolitan see for the Ecclesiastical Province of Miami, which covers all of Florida.
History and leadership
- The diocese was established on October 7, 1958, as the Diocese of Miami. Its first bishop was Coleman Carroll.
- In 1968, the diocese was raised to the Archdiocese of Miami, and Carroll became the first archbishop.
- Successive archbishops:
- Edward A. McCarthy (1977–1994)
- John C. Favalora (1994–2010)
- Thomas Wenski (2010–present)
Key points in its history include large waves of Cuban immigration after the Cuban Revolution and the secretive Operation Pedro Pan (1960–1962), which brought thousands of Cuban children to South Florida. The archdiocese has played a significant role in desegregating Catholic schools and in community relations.
Territory and people
- The archdiocese serves about 824,000 Catholics (as of 2021) across 102 parishes, with around 271 priests.
- Mass is celebrated in more than a dozen languages to serve the diverse community.
Education, seminaries, and universities
- The Archdiocese runs a large education network: about 60 elementary or middle schools and 13 high schools.
- It administers two universities: St. Thomas University in Miami and Barry University (founded by Dominican sisters in nearby Miami Shores).
- Seminaries and priestly formation:
- St. John Vianney College Seminary (Miami) for men preparing for the priesthood
- St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary (Boynton Beach) for advanced formation
- Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary (Hialeah) for diocesan missionaries
- The archdiocese supports lay ministry formation and religious education for both youth and adults.
Catholic Charities, health care, and outreach
- Catholic Charities of Miami, founded in 1931, is a major social service network in the area, operating through numerous programs and agencies.
- Catholic Health Services runs hospitals and health facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, including Mercy Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital. Catholic Hospice provides end-of-life care.
- The archdiocese sponsors cemeteries and charitable services, and supports crisis pregnancy centers and post-abortion counseling through programs like Project Rachel.
Culture, media, and outreach
- The archdiocese operates media outlets, including Radio Paz and the Florida Catholic newspaper, to share news, reflections, and church events.
- It runs various outreach programs and lay movements to serve families and the broader community.
Cathedral and patron
- The Cathedral of Saint Mary in Miami is the mother church of the archdiocese.
- The patron saint is Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
- The current archbishop (as of 2010) is Thomas Wenski.
Location and contact
- The Archdiocese covers Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties in Florida.
- Official website: miamiarch.org
Small, diverse, and active, the Archdiocese of Miami is a key religious and community organization in South Florida, guiding parishes, schools, charities, and media while welcoming people from many cultures and languages.
This page was last edited on 1 February 2026, at 22:35 (CET).