Diocese of Orlando

{{short description|Diocese of the Catholic Church}} {{Use American English|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox diocese | jurisdiction = Diocese | name = Orlando | latin = Dioecesis Orlandensis | local =  | image = St. James Cathedral - Orlando, Florida 08.JPG | image_size = 250px | image_alt = | caption = St. James Cathedral | coat = Coat of arms of the Diocese of Orlando.svg | coat_size = 150px | coat_alt = | coat_caption = Coat of arms  | country = {{flag|United States}} | territory = Counties of Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Marion, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, Sumter | province = Miami | metropolitan = | deaneries = | headquarters = | coordinates = {{coord|28|32|43.2|N|81|22|40.11|W|type:landmark_region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}  | area_km2 = 24893,<ref name="catholic-hierarchy">{{Cite web |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dorla.html |title=Diocese of Orlando |work=Catholic-Hierarchy.org}}</ref> | area_footnotes = | population = 5,064,237 | population_as_of = 2022 | catholics = 400,923 | catholics_percent = 8 | parishes = 81 | churches =  | congregations =  | schools = 38 | members =   | denomination = Catholic | sui_iuris_church = Latin Church | rite = Roman Rite | established = March 2, 1968 | dissolved = | cathedral = St. James Cathedral | cocathedral = | patron = Mary, Mother of God<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandodiocese.org/our-diocese/our-diocese-about-us/ |title=About Us |website=Diocese of Orlando, Florida |access-date=5 May 2022 |quote=Mary, the Mother of God, is the patroness of the Diocese of Orlando and we seek her intercession so that our efforts to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, form leaders, harmonize ministries and enkindle deeper faith will be blessed by God.}}</ref> | priests =   | pope = {{Incumbent pope}}  | bishop = John Gerard Noonan | metro_archbishop = Thomas Wenski | coadjutor = | auxiliary_bishops = | apostolic_admin = | vicar_general = John C. Giel | judicial_vicar = Martin Nguyen | emeritus_bishops =  | map = Diocese of Orlando map 1.png | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption =  | website = {{Official website|https://www.orlandodiocese.org/|orlandodiocese.org}} | footnotes = }}

The '''Diocese of Orlando''' ({{langx|la|Dioecesis Orlandensis}}) is a diocese of the Catholic Church in central Florida in the United States. St. James Cathedral serves as the seat of the diocese. The bishop is John Gerard Noonan.

== Statistics == The Diocese of Orlando encompasses about {{convert|9611|mi2}}, spanning the Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Marion, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, and Sumter counties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Craziest Catholic Rules You've Never Heard Of | The Catholic Talk Show | date=2 October 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8EKM20cmDg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/w8EKM20cmDg |archive-date=2021-12-22 |via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The Kennedy Space Center and Walt Disney World are located within the diocese.

==History== === Background === {{Further|History of the Catholic Church in Florida}}

By the early 1700s, the Spanish Franciscans had established a network of forty missions in what is now Northern and Central Florida.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Expansion of Missions and Ranches |url=https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/staugustine/timeline/expansion-of-missions-and-ranches/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=St. Augustine: America's Ancient City |language=en-US}}</ref> However, raids by British settlers and their Creek Native American allies from the Carolinas eventually shut down the missions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The English Menace & African Resistance |url=https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/staugustine/timeline/the-english-menace/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=St. Augustine: America's Ancient City |language=en-US}}</ref>

After the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, Spain ceded all of Florida to Great Britain for the return of Cuba. Given the antagonism of Protestant Great Britain to Catholicism, the majority of the Catholic population in Florida fled to Cuba.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introduction |url=https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/staugustine/timeline/castillo-introduction/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=St. Augustine: America's Ancient City |language=en-US}}</ref> After the American Revolution, Spain regained control of Florida in 1784.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introduction |url=https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/staugustine/timeline/introduction-exodus/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=St. Augustine: America's Ancient City |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1793, the Vatican changed the jurisdiction for Florida Catholics from Havana to the Apostolic Vicariate of Louisiana and the Two Floridas, based in New Orleans.<ref name="ch">{{Cite web |title=New Orleans (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy] |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dnewo.html |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org}}</ref> In the Adams–Onís Treaty of 1819, Spain ceded all of Florida to the United States, which established the Florida Territory in 1821.<ref>{{Cite web |title=European Exploration and Colonization – Florida Department of State |url=https://dos.fl.gov/florida-facts/florida-history/a-brief-history/european-exploration-and-colonization/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=dos.myflorida.com}}</ref>

In 1825, Pope Leo XII erected the Vicariate of Alabama and Florida, which included all of Florida, based in Mobile Alabama.<ref name="ch" /> In 1858, Pius IX moved Florida into a new Apostolic Vicariate of Florida,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Savannah (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy] |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsava.html |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org}}</ref> which in 1870 was converted into the Diocese of St. Augustine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saint Augustine (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy] |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dstau.html |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org}}</ref> The new diocese covered all of Florida except for the Florida Panhandle region.

In 1898, St. Paul's Church was dedicated in Daytona Beach, the first Catholic church in that community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} Basilica of Saint Paul |url=https://basilicaofsaintpaul.com/?page_id=49 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628204208/http://basilicaofsaintpaul.com/?page_id=49 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=2023-05-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> The first Catholic church in Brevard County was St. Joseph, dedicated in 1914.<ref>{{Cite web |title=First Roman Catholic Church in Brevard County Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=175719 |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=www.hmdb.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Establishment === thumb|Former St. Charles Borromeo Cathedral, Orlando, Florida (2016) Pope Paul VI erected the Diocese of Orlando on June 18, 1968,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.orlandodiocese.org/our_diocese/history/index.htm|title=Orlando Diocese official website|access-date=2007-04-19|archive-date=2007-10-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012042710/http://orlandodiocese.org/our_diocese/history/index.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> taking its present territory from the Diocese of St. Augustine and making it a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Miami. He appointed Monsignor William Borders of the Diocese of Baton Rouge as the first bishop of Orlando. At its formation, the new diocese consisted of 50 parishes with 128,000 Catholics.

According to a diocesan publication, after the 1969 Apollo 11 moon mission launch from the Kennedy Space Center, Borders joked to Paul VI that he was now bishop of the moon, citing canon law about newly discovered territories.<ref>{{cite web|date=21 July 2009| website=Diocese of Orlando| title=Remembering the Bishop of the Moon| url=https://www.orlandodiocese.org/remembering-the-bishop-of-the-moon-2/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622172226/https://www.orlandodiocese.org/remembering-the-bishop-of-the-moon-2/|archive-date=22 June 2021| last=Bennett| first=Renae| access-date=21 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Does the Church Have Jurisdiction Over the Moon? {{!}} EWTN |url=https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/does-the-church-have-jurisdiction-over-the-moon-13348 |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=EWTN Global Catholic Television Network |language=en}}</ref>{{efn|Other bishops made similar claims, notably Archbishop Terence Cooke who had jurisdiction over the Kennedy Space Center as vicar of the Military Ordinariate. The validity of the bishop's Moon argument has been questioned. In any case, the pope has ultimate authority over diocesan boundaries. Additionally, the issue remains moot as long as the moon is uninhabited.}} In 2019, a diocesan spokesperson stated that Bishop John Noonan did not consider himself bishop of the moon (or of the International Space Station, most of which was also launched from the space center).<ref name="cruxnow">{{cite web |title=Did Apollo 11 mission make Orlando's founding bishop the bishop of moon? |url=https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2019/07/20/did-apollo-11-mission-make-orlandos-founding-bishop-the-bishop-of-moon/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726201613/https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2019/07/20/did-apollo-11-mission-make-orlandos-founding-bishop-the-bishop-of-moon/|archive-date=26 July 2019 |website=cruxnow.com |accessdate=26 July 2019}}</ref>

During his tenure in Orlando, Borders oversaw the creation of parish councils and education boards, allowed the laity to serve as extraordinary ministers of the eucharist and formed a Sisters' Council for the nuns of the diocese.<ref name="orlando">{{cite web |title=History: Bishop William Borders |url=http://www.orlandodiocese.org/about-the-diocese/history/bishop-william-borders |access-date=2013-11-15 |publisher=Diocese of Orlando}}</ref> A Social Services Board correlated the work of already-existing agencies, and developed an educational program aimed at coordinating efforts in Catholic schools, campus ministry, and religious education. Borders also initiated social outreach centers to minister to migrant workers and the poor.<ref name="baltimore">{{cite web |title=Most Rev. William D. Borders |url=http://www.archbalt.org/about-us/the-archdiocese/our-history/people/borders.cfm |access-date=2013-11-15 |publisher=Archdiocese of Baltimore}}</ref> In 1974, Paul VI named Borders as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

=== Later history === thumb|Archbishop Wenski (2014) thumb|Bishop Noonan (2012) thumb|Basilica of Mary, Queen of the Universe, Orlando, Florida (2016) The second bishop of Orlando was Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Grady from the Archdiocese of Chicago, appointed by Paul VI in 1974.<ref name="orlando2">{{cite news |title=Diocese of Orlando History |work=Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando |url=http://www.orlandodiocese.org/who_we_are/history/index.php}}</ref> He oversaw the establishment of 18 new parishes, the San Pedro Spiritual Development Center in Winter Park, and a mission office to coordinate with the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana in the Dominican Republic.<ref name="orlando2" /> Grady wrote a weekly column for the ''Florida Catholic'' weekly newspaper.<ref name="eifling">{{cite news |last=Eifling |first=Sam |date=2002-04-26 |title=Bishop Thomas J. Grady, 87 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2002/04/26/bishop-thomas-j-grady-87/}}</ref>

During Grady's tenure, the diocese saw significant growth. In 1976, St. Charles Borromeo Church in the College Park section of Orlando, the original cathedral, was destroyed by fire. St. James Church in Orlando was designated as the new cathedral.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.orlandodiocese.org/en/about-history-of-the-diocese-of-orlando-video | title=History of the Diocese of Orlando Video}}</ref> To provide ministerial outreach to vacationers visiting Walt Disney World and the Lake Buena Vista Resort, Grady created a parish in the Lake Buena Vista area.<ref name="eifling" />

In 1984, Grady started construction of the Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in the same area. The diocese also expanded ministries to migrants and minorities, founded a scholarship program for African American students, and built apartment buildings for the elderly.<ref name="eifling" /> Grady resigned in 1989. At the end of his tenure in 1990, the Catholic population of the diocese had grown over 76% and the number of parishes had increased by more than a third.

Pope John Paul II named Auxiliary Bishop Norbert Dorsey of Miami as the next bishop of Orlando. In August 1993, the Shrine of Mary was dedicated. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designated it as a national shrine in 2004.<ref name="mqu">{{Cite web |url=https://maryqueenoftheuniverse.org/history-and-heritage/ |title=History & Heritage |work=web site of the Basilica of Mary, Queen of the Universe}}</ref> Dorsey's tenure saw further growth especially due to the growing Hispanic community. Radio Paz and health clinics for migrant and farm workers were established to minister to this community. Bishop Grady Villas, which opened in 2004, was constructed as a residential community in Orlando for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bishop Grady Villas |url=https://cfocf.org/bishopgradyvillas/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=Catholic Foundation Central Orlando, FL |language=en-US}}</ref> Dorsey retired in 2004.

thumb|Basilica of St. Paul, Daytona Beach, Florida (2016) Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Wenski of Miami was selected by John Paul II to replace Dorsey as bishop of Orlando in 2004. Wenski convoked the first synod for the diocese in 2004.<ref name="orlando2" /> During his tenure, Wenski created six new parishes and two missions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Powers |first=Jennifer |date=May 21 – June 3, 2010 |title=Extended pastoral reach through new parishes, missions |pages=A2 |publisher=Florida Catholic |location=Orlando, Florida}}</ref> A capital and endowment campaign raised $100 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Teresa Lantigua |date=May 21 – June 3, 2010 |title=Alive in Christ Campaign reaches $100 million |pages=A3 |publisher=Florida Catholic |location=Orlando, Florida}}</ref> The Spanish language radio station, ''Buena Nueva FM'', and a newspaper, ''El Clarin'', were also started.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodman |first=Tanya |date=May 21 – June 3, 2010 |title=Helping Spanish-speaking Catholics feel at home |pages=A16 |publisher=Florida Catholic |location=Orlando, Florida}}</ref> The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops held their spring convocation in the diocese in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://usccb.org/meetings/2008spring/ | title=USCCB-Spring Meeting 2008}}</ref> Wenski also designated 2008 as the "Year of Evangelization".<ref name="orlando2" />

Wenski persuaded the Vatican to raise the Basilica of St. Paul in Daytona Beach and the Basilica of Mary, Queen of the Universe to the status of minor basilicas.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dobson |first=Laura |date=May 21 – June 3, 2010 |title=Churches elevated to status of minor basilicas under leadership of Archbishop Wenski |pages=A14 |publisher=Florida Catholic |location=Orlando, Florida}}</ref> In 2010, the diocese began both a $150 million capital campaign and an extensive renovation of St. James Cathedral in Orlando.<ref name="goalie">{{cite news |last=Palmo |first=Rocco |date=April 20, 2010 |title=Holy Goalie: A Two-Pole Tuesday |work=Whispers in the Loggia |url=http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2010/04/holy-goalie-two-pole-tuesday.html}}</ref>

Benedict XVI named Wenski as archbishop of Miami in 2010.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-071.shtml | title=Pope Names Orlando Bishop As Archbishop Of Miami, Chicago Auxiliary Bishop As Bishop Of Springfield In Illinois | publisher=USCCB}}</ref> Richard Walsh, pastor of St. Margaret Mary Parish in Winter Park, served as diocesan administrator, until Auxiliary Bishop John Noonan of Miami was appointed by the pope that same year.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://thefloridacatholic.org/iv/father_walsh_to_lead_diocese_as_administrator?searchPhrase=walsh%20administrator | title=Father Walsh to lead diocese as administrator | publisher=The Florida Catholic | author=Tanya Goodman | accessdate=2010-07-08}}</ref> In June 2017, Noonan attended a memorial service at St. James Cathedral for victims of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholics in Florida remember victims of Pulse nightclub |url=https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2017/06/catholics-florida-remember-victims-pulse-nightclub/ |access-date=2021-10-04 |website=Crux Now |date=15 June 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Reports of sex abuse ==== In February 1995, a man sued the Diocese of Orlando, saying that he had been sexually abused as a youth by former priest Thomas Pagni. The plaintiff claimed that Pagni sexually assaulted him for several months in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Brevard Priest Faces Sex Assault Suit In the Wake of Charges against the Priest, the Diocese Has Sent a Letter to All Parishes to Be Read at Sunday's Masses, by Jim Leusner and Lynn Bumpus-Hooper, Orlando Sentinel [Florida], February 18, 1995 |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/1995_02_18_Leusner_FormerBrevard_Thomas_Pagni_1.htm |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=www.bishop-accountability.org}}</ref> Pagni was arrested in March 1995 on charges of engaging in sexual activity with a minor and engaging in lewdness.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Priest Alleged Molester Released on Bail Thomas James Pagni Iii 45 Maintains His Innocence While His Accuser and Others, Who Contend Pagni Is a Menace Are Upset by His Release, by Debbie Salamone, Orlando Sentinel (Florida), March 18, 1995 |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/1995_03_18_Salamone_FormerPriest_Thomas_Pagni_1.htm |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=www.bishop-accountability.org}}</ref> Another victim was added to the criminal case in June 1995. In January 1996, Pagni pleaded no contest to the ten charges against him and was sentenced to ten years in prison.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ex-Priest Sentenced to 10 Years for Abusing Boys One of Thomas James Pagni's Victims Wept As He Told the Court of the Loss of His Childhood, by Lynne Bumpus-Hooper, Orlando Sentinel [Florida], February 22, 1996 |url=https://www.bishop-accountability.org/news3/1996_02_22_Bumpus_ExPriest_Thomas_Pagni_4.htm |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=www.bishop-accountability.org}}</ref>

In 2004, the diocese announced that it had removed from ministry 12 priests accused of committing sex abuse since the founding of the diocese in 1968.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orlando Diocese Removed 12 Priests Accused of Sex Violations |url=https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2004/02/28/orlando-diocese-removed-12-priests-accused-of-sex-violations/26102319007/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The Ledger |language=en-US}}</ref>

Wladyslaw Gorak of the Church of the Resurrection in South Lakeland was arrested in October 2004 after breaking down the door at the residence of a female acquaintance and sexually assaulting her. Gorak had transferred to Orlando in 2000 from the Archdiocese of Newark. Despite him having a record of inappropriate behavior with women in Newark, the archdiocese did not mention that to diocesan officials in Orlando. Gorak was sentenced to four years of probation in 2007.<ref name="sl">{{Cite web |last=Star-Ledger |first=Jeff Diamant/The |date=2010-04-09 |title=Newark Archdiocese settles sexual assault lawsuit filed by Florida woman |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2010/04/newark_archdiocese_settles_sex.html |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=nj |language=en}}</ref> The woman later sued the Archdiocese of Newark and received a settlement from it.<ref name="sl" />

In November 1985, the families of four minors sued the diocese, claiming sexual abuse by William Authenrieth at St. Mary's Church in Rockledge. That same year, Bishop Grady permanently removed Authenrieth from ministry; he left the priesthood in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-08-13 |title=Lawsuit filed against Diocese of Orlando for alleged sex abuse by priest |url=https://www.wftv.com/news/local/lawsuit-filed-against-diocese-orlando-alleged-abus/107044909/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=WFTV |language=en}}</ref> In December 1987, the diocese settled the case with the Rockledge families for $3 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-23 |title=Former altar boy says priest molested him |url=https://www.wesh.com/article/former-altar-boy-says-priest-molested-him-1/4417315 |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=WESH |language=en}}</ref>

==Bishops== ===Bishops of Orlando=== # William Donald Borders (1968 – 1974), appointed Archbishop of Baltimore # Thomas Joseph Grady (1974 – 1989) # Norbert Dorsey (1990 – 2004) # Thomas Wenski (2004 – 2010), appointed Archbishop of Miami # John Gerard Noonan (2010 – present)

===Other diocesan priests who became bishops=== * Gregory Lawrence Parkes, appointed Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee in 2012 * Stephen Douglas Parkes, appointed Bishop of Savannah in 2020

==Present administration==

=== Deaneries === The 80 parishes and 11 missions of the Diocese of Orlando are divided into five deaneries:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deaneries |url=https://www.orlandodiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Diocese-of-Orlando-Deaneries.pdf |access-date=February 26, 2025 |website=Diocese of Orlando}}</ref> * Eastern Deanery (Volusia County) – Daytona Beach * Southern Deanery (Brevard County) – Melbourne * Northern Deanery (Marion, Sumter, and Lake Counties) – The Villages * Western Deanery (Polk County) – Lakeland * Central Deanery (Osceola, Orange, Seminole Counties) – Orlando The diocese has a sister diocese in La Cucarita in the Dominican Republic. Volunteers from the diocese built two churches and one community center there and the medical mission helped 2,000 patients in 2007.<ref name="OCA2008">{{cite book |author=Wenski, Thomas |title=Grow. Lead. Share |publisher=Diocese of Orlando |year=2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Water changes lives in La Cucarita |url=https://www.orlandodiocese.org/tag/dominican-republic/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Education== As of 2025, the Diocese of Orlando was operating five high schools, 29 elementary schools, one special education school, and three early childhood centers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Schools |url=https://www.orlandodiocese.org/office/catholic-schools-2/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Colleges and universities === The diocese supports Catholic campus ministries at the following institutions:

* Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - Catholic Campus Ministries: A Newman's Club {{!}} Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott |url=https://eaglelife.erau.edu/ccm/home/ |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=eaglelife.erau.edu}}</ref> * Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) in Melbourne<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Campus Ministry {{!}} Florida Tech |url=https://www.fit.edu/spiritual-life/catholic-campus-ministry/ |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=www.fit.edu}}</ref> * Florida Southern College (FSC) in Lakeland<ref>{{Cite web |title=Office of the Chaplain |url=https://www.flsouthern.edu/campus-offices/offices-directory/campus-ministries |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=Florida Southern College |language=en}}</ref> * Rollins College in Winter Park * Stetson University in Deland<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Campus Ministry |url=https://login.microsoftonline.com/7d854659-4213-48c1-80ca-df7831c02e6d/saml2?SAMLRequest=hVJBbtswEPyKwLskihYlmbAMuPEhBpLUiJ0ecikoamUToEiVSyXt72vLSZpenPPOzuzM7AJlbwaxGsPRPsKvETBEv3tjUUyDmozeCidRo7CyBxRBid3q%2Fk6whIrBu%2BCUMyRaIYIP2tkbZ3Hswe%2FAv2gFT493NTmGMKBI0w5a8PKMSpTshxGNbDBRrk93R900zkA4JoguPQuwdPt9tyfR%2BnSRttPWPybjDtomvVbeoeuCs0ZbmJjKtuJ5wedxzrJZnFcqiyuqZNx2ZTXLFGVQtOnZGiPRZl2Tn1AWtMuopGVW5h3vypLNOaddwWlRNTw7wRBH2FgM0oaaMMqKmOYxK%2FZZLhgXnD6TaPuWxDdtW20P12NrLiAUt%2Fv9Nr7Y%2FAEeJ4snAFkuzheKSdh%2FquM6rXzvgCy%2FThw%2FEl%2Bkn8QuyoN4OLFv1ltntPoTrYxxrzceZICaZCRdXlb%2B%2F5rlXw%3D%3D&RelayState=ss%3Amem%3A4f849f8ddcba12eefa25228ecaddd255163ad55b66f84c000fd51a5c5d14246c |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=login.microsoftonline.com}}</ref> * University of Central Florida in Orlando<ref>{{Cite web |title=CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY |url=https://www.ccmknights.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Faith Groups on Campus • Religion and Non-Religion • UCF |url=https://rnr.sswb.ucf.edu/faiths/ |access-date=2026-04-26 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2008, the National Catholic Educational Association recognized the diocesan school board as "outstanding", the only diocesan board to be so recognized.<ref>{{cite book | author = staff |title = Father Lopez High School and Diocese of Orlando school boards receive national recognition | publisher = Florida Catholic | date = April 11–17, 2008}}</ref> At the same time, the Father Lopez Catholic High School board in Daytona Beach was simultaneously recognized as outstanding; also the only school board to be so designated.

===Secondary schools=== These are the secondary school listings as of 2025: * Bishop Moore Catholic High School – Orlando<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bishop Moore Catholic - Orlando, FL |url=https://www.bishopmoore.org/ |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=www.bishopmoore.org}}</ref> * Father Lopez Catholic High School – Daytona Beach<ref>{{Cite web |title=Father Lopez Catholic High School |url=https://www.fatherlopez.org/ |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=www.fatherlopez.org}}</ref> * Melbourne Central Catholic High School – Melbourne<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-20 |title=Welcome to Melbourne Central Catholic High School |url=https://www.melbournecc.org/ |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=www.melbournecc.org |language=en-US}}</ref> * Santa Fe Catholic High School – Lakeland<ref>{{Cite web |title=Santa Fe Catholic – Lakeland, FL |url=https://santafecatholic.org/ |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=santafecatholic.org}}</ref> * Trinity Catholic Catholic High School – Ocala<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Find a School |url=https://www.orlandodiocese.org/find-a-school/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.trinitycatholichs.org/ |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=Trinity Catholic High School |language=en}}</ref>

== Minor basilicas == thumbnail|250px|Basilica of Mary, Queen of the Universe (2006) *Basilica of Mary, Queen of the Universe – Orlando. Benedict XVI raised it to a minor basilica in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Homepage |url=https://maryqueenoftheuniverse.org/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Mary, Queen of the Universe Orlando, FL |language=en-US}}</ref> *Basilica of St. Paul – Daytona Beach. Benedict XVI raised it to a minor basilica in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.stpauldaytona.org/history |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.stpauldaytona.org |language=en}}</ref>

===Other=== * Immaculate Heart of Mary's Hermitage in West Melbourne is a hermitage with sacramental support from the Ascension Catholic Community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Immaculate Heart of Mary's Hermitage |url=https://doc0mr.tripod.com/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=doc0mr.tripod.com}}</ref>

===Newspaper===  ''Florida Catholic'' newspaper is published 38 times a year.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-02-25 |title=thefloridacatholic.org {{!}} To Educate, Inspire and Enrich. |url=https://www.thefloridacatholic.org/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Florida Catholic Media |language=en}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== Notes == {{Notelist}}

==External links== {{commons category|Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando}} *[http://www.orlandodiocese.org/ Diocese of Orlando's website] *[http://doc0mr.tripod.com/ Immaculate Heart of Mary's Hermitage], West Melbourne *[http://www.buenanueva.fm Simulcast of Buena Nueva 104.1 FM] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118141625/http://buenanueva.fm/ |date=2021-01-18 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roman Catholic Diocese Of Orlando}} Category:Diocese of Orlando Category:Christianity in Orlando, Florida Category:Christian organizations established in 1968 Orlando Orlando Category:1968 establishments in Florida

Diocese of Orlando

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