Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane
The Diocese of Spokane is the Catholic Church’s regional territory in northern and eastern Washington. It is part of the Latin Church and uses the Roman Rite. It is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Seattle, and its main church is the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane. The diocese covers 13 counties and serves about 85,000 Catholics in around 80 parishes (as of 2025). The current bishop is Thomas Anthony Daly, who has led the diocese since 2015.
The diocese was established on December 17, 1913, taking territory from the Diocese of Seattle. Catholic life in the region goes back to the 1830s with missionary priests. Over the years, the diocese helped build many parishes, schools, and hospitals. Notable institutions connected with Spokane include Gonzaga University (founded in 1887 by Father Joseph Cataldo) and Sacred Heart Hospital (now Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, opened in 1886). Catholic education has included several schools such as St. Patrick’s, St. Joseph’s, and Marycliff, as well as seminaries and other religious initiatives.
In its modern era, the diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2004 to address priest misconduct claims and agreed to pay at least $48 million to victims. The diocese has faced other challenges and public conversations about clergy, social issues, and the role of the Church in society. Notable incidents over the years have included investigations and media investigations related to church personnel and activities.
Today, the Diocese of Spokane continues to oversee parishes, Catholic schools, and charitable programs across its 13 counties, carrying on its mission of faith, education, and service in the Pacific Northwest.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 05:42 (CET).