Q1: When was the Diocese of San Bernardino created?

A1: The Diocese was established November 6, 1978 by Pope Paul VI. Prior to 1978, the Inland Empire was included in the Diocese of San Diego.


Q2: What geographic area does the Diocese of San Bernardino cover?

A2: The Diocese serves a Catholic population of one million, covering 27,293 square miles in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. It is the 6th largest Diocese in the United States.


Q3: What is the vision of the Diocese of San Bernardino?

A3: The Diocese vision is: "We, the church of San Bernardino, are a community of believers called to impact family, neighborhood and society with the Gospel so that people´s lives are filled with hope."


Q4: What is the leadership structure of the Diocese of San Bernardino?

A4:The Most Rev. Alberto Rojas was appointed Coadjutor Bishop on December 2, 2019 and became Ordinary on December 28, 2020.The Most Rev. Gerald R. Barnes, now Bishop Emeritus, was appointed the second Bishop of San Bernardino and retired in December 2020. The Most Rev. Rutilio del Riego, now Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Rutilio del Riego, was appointed the third Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese in 2005 and retired in December 2015. The Vicar General/Chancellor, Very Rev. Gerard Lopez, represents the Bishop to all parishes in the diocese. Very Rev. Rafael Partida and Very Rev. Romeo Seleccion, M.S., serve as delegates of Bishop Barnes to Riverside and San Bernardino counties, respectively.


Q5: What is the function of the Diocesan Pastoral Center?

A5: The Diocesan Pastoral Center, located in San Bernardino, houses the Office of the Bishop and serves as a leadership hub for diocesan ministries. The Pastoral Center seeks to work closely with Catholic churches in the region in the effort to bring all people into full union with Christ. The center seeks to provide resources to expand current ministry efforts and provide counsel regarding the implementation of policies that edify and strengthen the church.


Q6: What community services does the Diocese provide?

A6: The Diocese is affiliated with two Catholic hospitals, St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino and St. Mary Regional Medical Center in Apple Valley.

The Diocese also helps the needy through a number of dynamic community services including, Immigration and Refugee Services, Family Counseling, Support Groups, Substance Abuse Programs, Food and Clothing Distribution, Crisis Pregnancy and Homeless Shelter, Pregnancy Counseling and Adoption and Foster Care.


Q7: How many parishes are in the Diocese?

A7: There are 92 parishes and 12 missions within the Diocese.


Q8: How many priests and other religious leaders are in the Diocese?

A8: There are 241 priests in active ministry in the diocese: 116 diocesan priests and 125 religious priests. There are also 145 sisters, 18 brothers and 107 permanent deacons within the Diocese.


Q9: How many schools does the Diocese oversee?

A9: The Diocese oversees 30 Catholic schools with a total enrollment of approximately 8,599 students.


Q10: How diverse is the Diocese of San Bernardino?

A10: The Diocese has more than 10 different ethnic ministries, a Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, an African-American Catholic Commission and Assembly, and it conducts Mass in 12 languages including; Polish, Portuguese and Vietnamese. The Diocese is committed to building the diversity of cultures among the faithful and throughout society.

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