Diocese of Charlotte

{{Short description|Latin Catholic jurisdiction in the US}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox diocese | jurisdiction = Diocese | name = Charlotte | latin = Dioecesis Carolinana | local =  | image = Cathedral Church of Saint Patrick (Charlotte, North Carolina) - exterior 3 cropped.jpg | image_size = 250px | image_alt = | caption = Cathedral of St. Patrick | coat = Coat of arms of the Diocese of Charlotte.svg | coat_size = 150px | coat_alt =  | country = {{flag|United States}} | territory = [[North Carolina|Western North Carolina]] {{flagicon|North Carolina }} [[vicar forane|Vicariates of]] [[Albemarle, North Carolina|Albemarle]], [[Asheville, North Carolina|Asheville]], [[Boone, North Carolina|Boone]], [[Gastonia, North Carolina|Gastonia]], [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]], [[Hickory, North Carolina|Hickory]], [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg]], [[Salisbury, North Carolina|Salisbury]], [[Great Smoky Mountains|Smoky Mountain]], [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem]] | province = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta|Atlanta]] | metropolitan = [[Archdiocese of Atlanta]] | deaneries = | headquarters = | coordinates =   | area_km2 = 53,696 | area_footnotes = | population_as_of = Oct 2023 | population = 5,505,666 | catholics = 546,370 | catholics_percent = 9.9 | parishes = 96 | churches =  | congregations =  | schools = 20 | members =   | denomination = [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] | sui_iuris_church = [[Latin Church]] | rite = [[Roman Rite]] | established = November 12, 1971 | dissolved = | cathedral = [[Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Charlotte|Cathedral of Saint Patrick]] | cocathedral = | patron = [[Mary, Mother of God]] | priests =   | pope = {{Incumbent pope}}  | bishop = [[Michael Thomas Martin]] {{post-nominals|post-noms=[[Order of Friars Minor Conventual|OFM Conv.]]}} | bishop_title = | metro_archbishop = [[Gregory John Hartmayer]] {{post-nominals|post-noms=[[Order of Friars Minor Conventual|OFM Conv.]]}} | coadjutor = | auxiliary_bishops = | apostolic_admin = | vicar_general = [[Patrick Winslow]] | episcopal_vicar = | judicial_vicar = John Putnam | emeritus_bishops = [[Peter Joseph Jugis]]  | map = Diocese of Charlotte.jpg | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption =  | website = {{Official website|https://charlottediocese.org/|charlottediocese.org}} | footnotes = }}

The '''Diocese of Charlotte''' ({{langx|la|Dioecesis Carolinana}}) is a diocese of the [[Catholic Church]] in western [[North Carolina]] in the United States. It is a [[suffragan bishop|suffragan diocese]] of the metropolitan [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta|Archdiocese of Atlanta]]. Its mother church is the [[Cathedral of Saint Patrick of Charlotte|Cathedral of Saint Patrick]] in Charlotte.

==Statistics== The Diocese of Charlotte covers {{convert|20700|sqmi|km2}} in North Carolina and includes 46 counties. It has ten [[vicar]]iates. They are [[Albemarle, North Carolina|Albemarle]], Asheville, [[Boone, North Carolina|Boone]], Gastonia, [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]], Hickory, [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg]], Salisbury, Smoky Mountain, and Winston-Salem.<ref name="Cathedral">{{cite web |title=Pastoral Report 2010 |publisher=Diocese of Charlotte |url=http://charlottediocese.org/images/main/books/bkcase-pastoral-2010/bkcase-pastoral-2010-index.html#/10/ |pages=10–11 |accessdate=February 26, 2016}}</ref>

The Catholic population of the diocese in 2010 was approximately 174,689 registered Catholics. This number did not include an estimated 230,000 undocumented [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] Catholics.<ref name="overview">{{cite web |title=Statistical Overview 2010 |url=http://charlottediocese.org/images/main/books/bkcase-pastoral-2010/bkcase-pastoral-2010-index.html#/4/ |accessdate=February 26, 2016 |work=Pastoral Report, 2010 |publisher=Diocese of Charlotte |page=4}}</ref> [[St. Matthew Catholic Church (Charlotte, North Carolina)|St. Matthew Catholic Parish]] in Charlotte, with over 35,000 members, was the most populous parish in the country as of 2017.<ref name="America Magazine-2017">{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2017 |title=Lessons on evangelization from the largest parish in the United States |url=https://www.americamagazine.org/charlotte-megaparish |website=America Magazine}}</ref> In 2024, the total Catholic population reached 530,000.<ref name="Catholic News Agency" />

==History==

=== Early history === Before and during the [[American Revolutionary War]], the Catholics in all of the British colonies in America were under the jurisdiction of the [[Apostolic Vicariate of the London District]] in England. Discrimination and persecution of Catholics in the North Carolina colony was common until it became a royal colony in 1729. Anyone wanting to hold public office had to sign an oath stating that [[Protestantism]] was the true Christian faith.<ref name="douglas">{{Cite web |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: North Carolina |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11108a.htm |access-date=July 7, 2017 |website=www.newadvent.org}}</ref> With the passage of the [[Constitution of the United States|U.S. Constitution]] in 1789 after the [[American Revolution]], Catholics were guaranteed freedom of worship.

[[Pope Pius VI]] erected the [[Apostolic Prefecture of the United States|Prefecture Apostolic of the United States]] in 1784, encompassing the entire United States. Five years later, he converted the prefecture into the [[Diocese of Baltimore]].<ref name="history3">{{cite web |title=Our History |url=http://www.archbalt.org/our-history/index.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724200915/http://archbalt.org/our-history/index.cfm |archive-date=July 24, 2008 |access-date=March 30, 2009 |publisher=Archdiocese of Baltimore}}</ref> The Diocese of Charleston was erected by [[Pope Pius VII]] on July 11, 1820. He removed the states of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], North Carolina, and [[South Carolina]] from what was now the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore|Archdiocese of Baltimore]]<ref name="catholic-hierarchy.org">{{Catholic-hierarchy|diocese|dchas|Diocese of Charleston|January 23, 2015}}</ref>

During the early 19th century, Irish Catholic immigrants started entering North Carolina to work on the railroads and other construction projects. St. Peter's Church, founded in Charlotte in 1851, was the first permanent Catholic church in the region. Much of its funding came from Protestants, who were impressed by the preaching ability of the first priest, Jeremiah J. O'Connell.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Catholics in the Carolinas |url=https://catholicnewsherald.com/news/golden-anniversary/97-news/anniversary/296-history-of-catholics-in-the-carolinas |access-date=April 12, 2023 |website=catholicnewsherald.com |date=July 27, 2016 |language=en-gb}}</ref> [[File:James Gibbons.jpg|thumb|247x247px|Archbishop Gibbons (circa 1900)]] [[File:Belmont Abbey Cathedral 4.jpg|thumb|Belmont Abbey, Belmont, North Carolina (2016)]]

=== Vicariate Apostolic of North Carolina and Belmont Abbey === On March 3, 1868, [[Pope Pius IX]] erected the Vicariate Apostolic of North Carolina, removing North Carolina from the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston|Diocese of Charleston]]. At that time, the pope appointed [[James Gibbons]] from the Archdiocese of Baltimore as the first vicar apostolic.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

When Gibbons became vicar apostolic, North Carolina counted fewer than 700 Catholics. In his first four weeks in office, he traveled almost a thousand miles, visiting towns and mission stations and administering the [[Sacraments of the Catholic Church|sacraments]]. He also befriended many [[Protestantism|Protestants]], who greatly outnumbered Catholics in the state, and preached at their churches. Gibbons made many converts to Catholicism.<ref name="pat">{{Cite web |last=Blog |first=McNamara's |date=July 2, 2013 |title=Cardinal James Gibbons, Baltimore (1834-1921) |url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/mcnamarasblog/2013/07/cardinal-james-gibbons-baltimore-1834-1921.html |access-date=August 23, 2020 |website=McNamara's Blog |language=en}}</ref> In 1872, Pius IX appointed Gibbons as bishop of the [[Diocese of Richmond]]. The Vatican would not appoint a new vicar apostolic in North Carolina for the next 11 years.

[[St. Benedict Catholic Church (Greensboro, North Carolina)|St. Benedict's Church]] was the first Catholic church in Greensboro, founded in 1877. It later received funding from Sister [[Katharine Drexel]] to guarantee seating for [[African Americans]]. In 1876, [[Saint Vincent Archabbey]] in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, sent a party of [[Benedictines|Benedictine]] monks to western North Carolina. They bought land outside of Charlotte and started Belmont priory. [[Pope Leo XIII]] in 1884 elevated the Belmont priory to [[Belmont Abbey, North Carolina|Belmont Abbey]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://belmontabbey.org/about-us/#Ourhistory|title=History on Web Site of Belmont Abbey.}}</ref> At that time, the monks at Belmont elected [[Leo Haid]] as their first abbot.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

In 1881, Leo XIII appointed [[Henry P. Northrop]] as the new vicar apostolic of North Carolina. Two years later, the pope named Northrup to also serve as bishop of the Diocese of Charleston. Northrup held both positions until 1888, when the Vatican allowed him to resign as vicar apostolic and only serve as bishop of Charleston.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

In 1888, Leo XIII appointed Haid to replace Northrup as [[Apostolic vicariate|apostolic vicar]] of North Carolina, while allow Haid to remain as abbot of Belmont.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bhaid.html|title=Bishop Leo Michael Haid (Hite) [Catholic-Hierarchy]|website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org}}</ref> In 1910, [[Pope Pius X]] designated Belmont Abbey as a [[territorial abbey]], giving it control of eight counties from the Vicariate Apostolic of North Carolina to Belmont Abbey. Haid now led two different Catholic jurisdictions in North Carolina. Haid died in 1924.<ref>''Ibid.''</ref>

=== Diocese of Raleigh ===

On December 12, 1924, [[Pope Pius XI]] elevated the Apostolic Vicariate of North Carolina into the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh|Diocese of Raleigh]], making it the first Catholic diocese in North Carolina.<ref name="history">{{cite web| title=History of the Diocese| url=http://charlottediocese.org/history| publisher=Diocese of Raleigh| accessdate=February 26, 2016}}</ref> The pope appointed Monsignor [[William Hafey]] of Baltimore as its first bishop. In 1937, Pius XI named Hafey as [[coadjutor bishop]] of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton|Diocese of Scranton]]. To replace Hafey as bishop of Raleigh, the pope appointed Monsignor [[Eugene J. McGuinness]] from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia that same year. In 1944, [[Pope Pius XII]] transferred seven counties from Belmont Abbey to the Diocese of Raleigh. Later in 1944, Pius XII named McGuiness as bishop of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Oklahoma City-Tulsa|Diocese of Oklahoma City.]]

Pius XII appointed [[Vincent Stanislaus Waters|Vincent Waters]] from the Diocese of Richmond as the new bishop of Raleigh in 1944. Waters was accused by some of the diocesan clergy of holding on to idle church property worth millions of dollars while some [[Parish (Catholic Church)|parishes]] were in debt.<ref name="nytimes2">{{cite news |date=December 5, 1974 |title=Bishop Waters, Led Raleigh Diocese |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He also denied requests for the creation of a priests' senate; 20% of his priests sent a request to the Vatican asking for Waters' removal.<ref name="nytimes2" />

In 1953, Waters ordered the [[Desegregation in the United States|racial desegregation]] of all Catholic churches and schools in the diocese.<ref name="nytimes2" /><ref name="history2">{{cite news |title=Bishop Vincent S. Waters (1904-1974) |work=North Carolina History Project |url=http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/225/entry}}</ref> He described [[racial segregation]] as a product of "darkness," and declared that "the time has come for it to end."<ref name="time">{{cite magazine |date=June 8, 1953 |title=Light in Newton Grove |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,935960,00.html |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME Magazine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516024425/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,935960,00.html |archive-date=May 16, 2008}}</ref> He also said,<blockquote>"I am not unmindful, as a Southerner, of the force of this virus of prejudice among some persons in the South, as well as in the North. I know, however, that there is a cure for this virus, and that is our faith."<ref name="virus">{{cite magazine |date=1953-06-29 |title=Cure for the Virus |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,889738,00.html |url-status=dead |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME Magazine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222123748/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,889738,00.html |archive-date=December 22, 2008}}</ref></blockquote>[[Pope John XXIII]] transferred [[Gaston County, North Carolina|Gaston County]], Belmont Abbey's last county, to the Diocese of Raleigh in 1960.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/drale.html|title=Raleigh (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]|website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org}}</ref> Although it remained a territorial abbey, Belmont now only had jurisdiction over its own campus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://belmontabbey.org/about-us/#Ourhistory|title=History on Belmont Abbey web site.}}</ref> In 1962, John XXIII elevated the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta|Diocese of Atlanta]] to the Archdiocese of Atlanta. He designated the Diocese of Raleigh and Belmont Abbey as suffragans of the new archdiocese.

=== Diocese of Charlotte === [[File:Missa tridentina 002.jpg|thumb|Celebration of Tridentine Mass (2012)]] [[Pope Paul VI]] erected the Diocese of Charlotte in 1971, taking its territory from the Diocese of Raleigh. At that time, the Catholic population of the area was just over 34,000. Paul VI named Monsignor [[Michael Joseph Begley|Michael Begley]] from Raleigh as the first bishop of Charlotte.<ref name="Hains">{{cite book| first=David| last=Hains| url=https://archive.org/details/voicesplacesofpe00davi| title=Voices and Places of the People of God| year=2006| publisher=Éditions du Signe| location=[[Strasbourg]] |page=[https://archive.org/details/voicesplacesofpe00davi/page/16 16]| isbn=978-2746817371}}</ref> Paul VI in 1977 ended Belmont Abbey's status as a territorial abbey, making it now just another Catholic institution in the Diocese of Charlotte. Begley retired in 1984.<ref name="history" />

[[Pope John Paul II]] appointed [[John Francis Donoghue|John Donoghue]] from the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington|Archdiocese of Washington]] as the second bishop of Charlotte in 1984.<ref name="Hains" /> The Catholic population in Charlotte continued to grow, leading Donoghue to declare in the early 1990s that it would be the decade of evangelization.<ref name="history" /> In 1993, John Paul II appointed him as archbishop of Atlanta.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Donoghue was succeeded as bishop of Charlotte by Auxiliary Bishop [[William G. Curlin]] from the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington|Archdiocese of Washington]] in 1994.<ref name="Hains" /> Curtin started the first affordable housing initiative in the diocese and concentrated on ministry to the elderly, sick and dying.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 4, 2022 |title=History of the Diocese of Charlotte - Diocese of Charlotte |url=https://50years.charlottediocese.org/about-the-diocese/our-history/more-history/ |access-date=May 25, 2022 |website=50years.charlottediocese.org |language=en-US}}</ref> As bishop, Curlin continued his ministry to the poor, ordained 28 men to the priesthood and opened numerous Churches throughout the diocese. In 1995, Curlin invited [[Mother Teresa]] to speak at the [[Charlotte Coliseum]], drawing a crowd of over 19,000. That same year, Curlin stated that any priest in the diocese accused of sexual abuse of a minor would be immediately removed from ministry.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Longwood |first=Merle |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EHx0DwAAQBAJ&dq=bishop+William+Curlin&pg=PT67 |title=Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church: Trusting the Clergy? |date=October 24, 2018 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-95528-3 |language=en}}</ref> Curlin served until his retirement in 2002. By that year, the diocese had grown to approximately 87,000 Catholics. In 2003, John Paul II appointed Monsignor [[Peter J. Jugis]], [[judicial vicar]] of the diocese, as its fourth bishop.<ref name="Hains" />

In July 2007, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] issued the apostolic letter ''[[Summorum Pontificum]],'' which allowed all priests to celebrate the [[Tridentine Latin Mass]] with some restrictions.<ref>Article 5</ref> In October 2007, Samuel Weber celebrated this mass, the first held in the diocese since 1969, at Davis Chapel of [[Wake Forest University]].<ref name="Fr.Z">{{cite web |date=October 4, 2007 |title=5 October: Holy Mass (1962) at Wake Forest Univ. in Diocese of Charlotte |url=http://wdtprs.com/blog/2007/10/5-october-holy-mass-1962-at-wake-forest-univ-in-diocese-of-charlotte/ |accessdate=February 26, 2016 |publisher=Fr. Z's Blog}}</ref> Jugis noted that the diocese was trying to accommodate those with an attachment to the Tridentine mass. In 2008, the Tridentine mass was celebrated for the first time in nearly 40 years at [[Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church (Greensboro, North Carolina)|Our Lady of Grace Church]] in Greensboro, with Jugis attending.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Jugis in September 2020 opened St. Joseph College Seminary in [[Mount Holly, North Carolina|Mount Holly]] to prepare more priests for the diocese.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Charlotte Diocese opens new seminary to serve growing Catholic population |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/45852/charlotte-diocese-opens-new-seminary-to-serve-growing-catholic-population |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, citing ideological uses of the Tridentine mass, Pope Francis added new restrictions on its usage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CNA |title=Pope Francis says traditional Latin Mass was being used in an ideological way |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254268/pope-francis-says-traditional-latin-mass-was-being-used-in-an-ideological-way |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, the diocese celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. At the end of the year, Jugis formally requested that the Vatican place the Diocese of Charlotte under the patronage of [[Theotokos|Mary, the Mother of God]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2023 |title=Diocese asks Vatican to declare 'Mary, Mother of God' as patroness |url=https://catholicnewsherald.com/90-news/local/8838-diocese-asks-vatican-to-declare-mary-mother-of-god-as-patroness |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=catholicnewsherald.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>

Jugis in 2023 submitted his resignation as bishop of Charlotte due to a chronic kidney condition. During his term, the number of Catholics in the diocese doubled to over 530,000.<ref name="Catholic News Agency">{{Cite web |last= |title=Pope Francis appoints new bishop of Charlotte, North Carolina |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257323/pope-francis-appoints-new-bishop-of-charlotte-north-carolina |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}</ref> In early 2024, Jugis announced plans to build a new cathedral, citing the space limitations of the current facility. Construction was scheduled to begin in 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 3, 2024 |title=Growing diocese to build new cathedral as 'mother church' |url=https://catholicnewsherald.com/90-news/local/10337-growing-diocese-to-build-new-cathedral-as-mother-church |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=catholicnewsherald.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> [[Pope Francis]] on April 9, 2024, appointed [[Michael T. Martin|Michael Martin]] as bishop of Charlotte.<ref name="Catholic News Agency" />

== Sexual abuse cases == In November 2019, the [[North Carolina Legislature]] passed legislation extending the [[statute of limitations]] for filing sex abuse lawsuits.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Padilla |first1=Mariel |date=November 2, 2019 |title=North Carolina Lawmakers Pass Bill to Close Sexual Assault Loopholes |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/01/us/north-carolina-sexual-assault-loophole.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2019 |url=https://webservices.ncleg.net/ViewBillDocument/2019/6791/0/S199-PCCS15432-TV-5 |access-date=October 28, 2023 |website=ncleg.net}}</ref> While North Carolina had no statute of limitations for criminal sex abuse cases, it still had a statute of limitations for civil sex abuse lawsuits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbtv.com/2019/10/31/nc-lawmakers-pass-bill-extend-statute-limitations-child-sex-crime-victims/|title=NC lawmakers pass bill to extend statute of limitations for child sex crime victims|first=Ann|last=McAdams|date=October 31, 2019|website=wbtv.com}}</ref>

In December 2019, the diocese placed Patrick T. Hoare, pastor at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Charlotte, on administrative leave. It had received an accusation that Hoare had engaged in inappropriate relations with minors before and after entering the priesthood. Hoare denied the charges.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pastor who decried sexually abusive clerics accused of sexually abusing a minor |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/north-carolina-pastor-who-decried-sexually-abusive-clerics-accused-sexually-n1099076 |access-date=February 21, 2023 |website=NBC News |date=December 10, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The diocese permanently removed Hoare as pastor of St. Matthew in 2020. Hoare appealed his removal to the Vatican [[Dicastery for the Clergy]] in Rome, but it was rejected. He then appealed in 2022 to a partial panel of the [[Apostolic Signatura]] in Rome, but was rejected again. Hoare in November 2022 made a final appeal to a full panel of the Apostolic Signatura.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bishop updates St. Matthew parishioners on case involving former pastor |url=https://catholicnewsherald.com/90-news/local/8919-bishop-updates-st-matthew-parishioners-on-case-involving-former-pastor |access-date=February 21, 2023 |website=catholicnewsherald.com |date=January 21, 2023 |language=en-gb}}</ref>

Also in December 2019, Bishop Jugis released a list of 14 priests credibly accused of sexual abuse in the diocese since 1972.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charlotte diocese publishes list of 14 clergy credibly accused of sexual abuse |date=December 30, 2019 |url=http://catholicnewsherald.com/88-news/fp/5296-accountability}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://catholicnewsherald.com/88-news/fp/5298-bishop-peter-jugis-announces-release-of-list-of-credibly-accused-clergy|title=Bishop Peter Jugis announces release of list of credibly accused clergy|date=December 30, 2019|website=catholicnewsherald.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://accountability.charlottediocese.org/|title=Accountability|website=Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte}}</ref> In March 2020, the diocese added two more names to this list.<ref>{{cite news |last=Delia |first=Sarah |date=March 2, 2020 |title=Charlotte Diocese Adds 2 New Names To List Of Clergy 'Credibly Accused' Of Abuse |publisher=WFAE |url=https://www.wfae.org/post/charlotte-diocese-adds-2-new-names-list-clergy-credibly-accused-abuse#stream/0 |accessdate=September 18, 2020}}</ref> This list did not include clergy accused of sexual abuse in territory controlled by the diocese prior to 1972; these men were named in a list titled "Western North Carolina."<ref name="sexabuselist">[https://accountability.charlottediocese.org/ To the People of God of Western North Carolina] Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, Accessed September 18, 2020</ref> Former clergy who served in the diocese, but were accused of committing sex abuse "elsewhere", were listed separately as well.<ref name="sexabuselist" />

In January 2026, Bishop Michael Martin re-introduced Patrick T. Hoare to active ministry.<ref>{{cite web| title=Charlotte bishop returns accused priest to active ministry | News Headlines |url=https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=68171}}</ref>

=== Yurgel case === In 2009, Robert Yurgel, a former priest at St. Matthew's Parish, was arrested after pleading guilty to second-degree sexual offense of a minor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2008/03_04/2008_04_03_Wright_PriestCharged.htm|title=Priest Charged with Sex Crimes in Charlotte Rev Robert Yurgel Accused of Having Sex with 14-Year-Old Boy in 1999, by Gary L. Wright and Tim Funk, Charlotte Observer, April 3, 2008|website=www.bishop-accountability.org}}</ref> Yurgel had sexually abused a 14-year-old [[altar boy]] in 1999. In February 2009, Yurgel pleaded guilty to child molestation and was sentenced to seven years in state prison.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Charlotte priest pleads guilty to molesting alter boy |url=https://www.wbtv.com/story/9772614/former-charlotte-priest-pleads-guilty-to-molesting-alter-boy |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=WBTV |date=February 2, 2009 |language=en}}</ref> He was dismissed from the [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin]] and [[Loss of clerical state (Catholic Church)|laicized]] in 2000. The victim sued Yurgel and the diocese. The case was settled for $1 million in damages and an additional $40,000 to pay for the victim's therapy. Yurgel was released from prison in August 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/9-investigates/9-investigates-former-charlotte-priest-who-abused-boy-not-listed-as-sex-offender-in-nj/496026724|title = 9 Investigates: Charlotte family speaks out about son's abuse by a priest|date = February 21, 2017}}</ref>

=== Spangenberg case === On August 14, 2018, a [[Grand jury investigation of Catholic Church sexual abuse in Pennsylvania|grand jury report]] released by the [[Pennsylvania Attorney General|Pennsylvania attorney general]] named 301 priests responsible for allegedly abusing over 1,000 children within six Pennsylvania dioceses over 70 years. One of them was Robert Spangenberg, a [[Congregation of the Holy Spirit|Spiritan]] priest who served in the Dioceses of Charlotte and Raleigh. Spangenberg had been a pastor at St. James Parish in [[Hamlet, North Carolina]], in the 1990s. The Diocese of Charlotte said that it had never received any concerns from [[Congregation of the Holy Spirit]] about Spangenberg's behavior in Pennsylvania, and that there had been no complaints about him in North Carolina.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://catholicnewsherald.com/news/90-news/local/3392-allegations-of-sexual-misconduct-by-priests-cover-up-by-church-leaders-have-people-talking | title=Allegations of sexual misconduct by priests, cover-up by Church leaders have people talking | date=August 17, 2018 }}</ref>

=== West case === On March 25, 2019, the diocese announced that Mauricio West, its [[vicar general]] and chancellor, had resigned from his posts. The diocese had received allegations against West of unwanted sexual advances towards an adult student at [[Belmont Abbey College]] in Belmont in the 1980s. Taking a leave of absence, West denied all the accusations. The Lay Review Board of the diocese found these allegations to be credible.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fox46charlotte.com/news/local-news/catholic-diocese-of-charlotte-chancellor-leaves-after-credible-sexual-misconduct-allegation|title = Catholic Diocese of Charlotte chancellor leaves after 'credible' sexual misconduct allegation|date = March 29, 2019}}</ref> In November 2019, four more complaints of sexual misconduct were lodged against West. Two of the accusations came from diocese employees, the other two from Belmont students.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2019 |title=New sexual misconduct allegations against former Chancellor of Diocese of Charlotte |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/new-sexual-misconduct-allegations-against-former-chancellor-of-diocese-of-charlotte/275-f844d99c-7a37-46c8-8eb8-640f89fe733d |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=wcnc.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Kelleher and Farwell cases === On April 14, 2020, two sex abuse lawsuits were filed against the diocese. The plaintiffs alleged that the diocese shielded Richard Farwell.<ref name="newlawsuits">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/2-lawsuits-alleging-sexual-abuse-filed-against-diocese-charlotte/FATGENIKRBA4ZAXHMAIMWK3YZU/|title=2 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse filed against Diocese of Charlotte|date=April 14, 2020}}</ref> The lawsuits were filed previously, but both were dismissed due to the previous [[statute of limitations]].<ref name="newlawsuits" /> The plaintiffs were able to sue again because of the 2019 changes to North Carolina state law. The Farwell lawsuit was filed by a North Carolina man who was a teenager in 1977. He alleged that Farwell started abusing him after he went to the priest for counseling. The plaintiff file a lawsuit against Farwell in 2011, but it was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. Farwell was later accused by a second man. Farwell was later convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, sentenced to probation, and removed from ministry in 2005.<ref name="newlawsuits" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Man files suit against Diocese of Charlotte claiming sexual abuse |url=https://www.wbtv.com/story/15108320/man-files-lawsuit-against-diocese-of-charlotte |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=WBTV |date=July 19, 2011 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Baker case === In November 2021, the diocese was sued by man who claimed he had been sexually assaulted by Donald Baker, a diocesan priest, in the 1980s. The [[plaintiff]] had made his accusation to the diocese in 2017, saying that Baker abused him starting when he was seven years old between 1985 and 1989.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2021 |title=New lawsuit against Charlotte Diocese alleges it was aware of sexual abuse by priest |url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/new-lawsuit-against-charlotte-diocese-alleges-it-was-aware-sexual-abuse-by-priest/4RE4DDDLPRFVNIDI6T2VE6S4DI/ |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=WSOC TV |language=en}}</ref> Baker resigned from ministry in 1994; he was added to the list of diocese priests with credible accusations of sexual abuse of minors in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Accountability |url=https://accountability.charlottediocese.org/ |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Gillespie case === A man sued the diocese in November 2021, claiming that he had been sexually assaulted as a minor by Francis Gillespie during the late 1990s when he was serving as pastor at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. The plaintiff's attorney reported the alleged abuse in September 2021 to Jugis and the [[Society of Jesus]], which immediately suspended the retired priest.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Lawsuit alleges Jesuit priest committed sexual abuse against a child in North Carolina in the 1990s |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249656/lawsuit-alleges-jesuit-priest-committed-sexual-abuse-against-a-child-in-north-carolina-in-the-1990s |access-date=July 12, 2024 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}</ref>

==Bishops of Charlotte== # [[Michael Joseph Begley]] (1971–1984) # [[John Francis Donoghue]] (1984–1993), appointed [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta|Archbishop of Atlanta]] # [[William G. Curlin]] (1994–2002) # [[Peter Joseph Jugis]] (2003–2024) # [[Michael Thomas Martin]] (2024–present)

==Catholic News Herald== {{distinguish|Catholic Herald}} {{Infobox newspaper | name = Catholic News Herald | italic_title = no | logo = | image = Catholic-News-Herald-31-July-2020.jpg | caption = Catholic News Herald cover (July 31, 2020) | type = Biweekly | format = Print and online | founded = 1991 | owners = Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte | headquarters = 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203-4003 U.S.A. | editor = | publisher = | circulation = | ISSN = | oclc = | website = {{URL|http://www.catholicnewsherald.com}} }}

''Catholic News Herald'' is the official publication of the Diocese of Charlotte. It publishes news from the diocese, general Catholic and world news with a Catholic perspective. The newspaper was established in 1991 and publishes 26 issues per year. It also carries a regular Spanish supplement within the publication.

==Education== ===Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS)=== The diocese operates nine Catholic schools in the Charlotte area as part of the MACS system.

==== High schools ==== * [[Charlotte Catholic High School]] – Charlotte * [[Christ the King Catholic High School (North Carolina)|Christ the King Catholic High School –]] Huntersville<ref name="Diocese of Charlotte">{{Cite web |title=MACS Schools |url=https://charlottediocese.org/macs/our-schools/ |access-date=June 8, 2023 |website=Diocese of Charlotte |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Middle and elementary schools ====

* Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School – Charlotte * Our Lady of Assumption Catholic School – Charlotte * St. Ann Catholic School – Charlotte * St. Gabriel Catholic School – Charlotte * St. Mark Catholic School [[Christ the King Catholic High School (North Carolina)|–]] [[Huntersville, North Carolina|Huntersville]] * St. Matthew Catholic School – Charlotte * St. Patrick Catholic School – Charlotte<ref name="Diocese of Charlotte" />

===Non-MACS schools === The diocese operates two high schools and 10 middle and elementary schools outside of the City of Charlotte.

==== High schools ==== * [[Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (North Carolina)|Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School]] – Kernersville<ref name="Diocese of Charlotte-2">{{Cite web |title=Catholic Schools |url=https://charlottediocese.org/schools/ |access-date=June 8, 2023 |website=Diocese of Charlotte |language=en-US}}</ref> * Canongate Catholic High School – Arden

==== Middle and elementary schools ==== *Asheville Catholic School – Asheville *Immaculata Catholic School – [[Hendersonville, North Carolina|Hendersonville]] *Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School – High Point *Our Lady of Grace Catholic School – Greensboro<ref name="Schools">{{cite web |title=Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools |url=http://schools.charlottediocese.org/index.php |accessdate=February 26, 2016 |publisher=Diocese of Charlotte}}</ref> *Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School – [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem]] *Our Lady of the Assumption – Charlotte *[[Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Salisbury, North Carolina)|Sacred Heart Catholic School]] – Salisbury *St. Leo Catholic School – Winston-Salem *St. Michael Catholic School – [[Gastonia, North Carolina|Gastonia]] *St. Pius X Catholic School – [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]]<ref name="Diocese of Charlotte-2" />

=== Seminary === St. Joseph College Seminary – Mount Holly

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.charlottediocese.org/ Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte Official Site] *[http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dchan.html Catholic Hierarchy Profile of the Diocese of Charlotte] *[http://catholicnewsherald.com/ ''Catholic News Herald''] - diocesan newspaper

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Roman Catholic Diocese Of Charlotte}} [[Category:Diocese of Charlotte| ]] [[Category:Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Atlanta|Charlotte]] [[Category:Catholic Church in North Carolina|Diocese of Charlotte]] [[Category:Christian organizations established in 1971]] [[Category:Roman Catholic dioceses and prelatures established in the 20th century|Charlotte]] [[Category:Roman Catholic dioceses in the United States|Charlotte]]