Roman Catholic Diocese of Fargo


The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fargo is a Roman Catholic diocese in the American state of North Dakota.
Fargo is the episcopal see of the diocese. It is a suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The Cathedral parish of the diocese is the Cathedral of St. Mary.

History

The diocese was founded on November 10, 1889 by Pope Leo XIII as the Diocese of Jamestown. The name of the diocese was changed to the Diocese of Fargo on April 6, 1897, and the Diocese of Jamestown was made into a titular see.
It lost territory when the Diocese of Bismarck was established by Pope Pius X in 1909.

List of accused clergy

On January 2, 2020, the Diocese of Fargo unveiled the names of 31 clergy who, since 1950, were "credibly accused" of sexually abusing children while serving in the Diocese. Among those named were Rev Richard Sinner, brother of former North Dakota Governor George A. Sinner. Rev. Richard Sinner was an outspoken activist for aiding Central American refugees, abolishing nuclear weapons, and promoting music and song.

Bishops

Bishops of Fargo

The bishops who have served the Diocese of Fargo as diocesan bishop and their terms of service:
  1. John Shanley
  2. James O'Reilly
  3. Aloisius Joseph Muench, appointed Apostolic Nuncio and Titular Archbishop
  4. Leo Ferdinand Dworschak
  5. Justin Albert Driscoll
  6. James Stephen Sullivan
  7. Samuel Joseph Aquila, appointed Archbishop of Denver
  8. John Thomas Folda

    Other bishops who once were priests of the Diocese of Fargo

The Diocese of Fargo operates a number of departments serving the various needs of the bishop and parishes. The departments include:
, Fargo

Parishes

A partial list of parishes of the Diocese of Fargo follows.

Schools

Former schools

The Diocese of Fargo operated Cardinal Muench Seminary, established in 1962, for the formation of men to the priesthood. The seminary was closed in May 2011 due to increased cost of operation and lack of funding.