Roman Catholic Diocese of Beaumont

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Beaumont (Latin: Dioecesis Bellomontensis) is a Roman Catholic diocese covering nine counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is a suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica serves as the cathedral church.

Diocese of Beaumont Dioecesis Bellomontensis
St. Anthony Cathedral-Basilica
Location
Country	United States
Territory	The counties of Chambers, Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, Polk, and Tyler in southeast Texas
Ecclesiastical province	Galveston-Houston
Headquarters	710 Archie Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701
Statistics
Area	7,878 sq mi (20,400 km^2)
Population - Total - Catholics (including non-members)	(as of 2012) 630,000 79,516 (12.6%)
Parishes	44
Information
Denomination	Catholic
Sui iuris church	Latin Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	June 25, 1966 (54 years ago)
Cathedral	Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica
Patron saint	St. Anthony of Padua
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	David Toups
Vicar General	Monsignor Michael Jamail [1]
Bishops emeritus	Curtis Guillory
Map
Website
dioceseofbmt.org

History

On September 29, 1966, Pope Paul VI established the diocese. Its first bishop was the Most Rev. Vincent Madeley Harris.[2][3]

Bishops

Bishops of Beaumont

1. Vincent Madeley Harris (1966–1971), appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Austin
2. Warren L. Boudreaux (1971–1977), appointed Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux
3. Bernard J. Ganter (1977–1993)
4. Joseph A. Galante (1994–2000), appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Dallas and later Bishop of Camden
5. Curtis J. Guillory, SVD (2000–2020)
6. David L. Toups (2020–present)

Education

Universities

• Catholic Student Center Lamar University

Catholic schools

• Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School
• St. Anne Catholic School
• St. Anthony Cathedral School
• St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School
• St. Mary Catholic School

Former schools:

• Bishop Byrne High School - Port Arthur
• The Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School (PreK-5) opened circa 1928 and closed in 2012; at the end 62 students were enrolled when the school needed 125 to remain solvent.[4]

Ministries

• ACTS Community
• African-American Ministry
• Continuing Education
• Apostleship of the Sea
• Criminal Justice Ministry
• Family Life Ministry
• Hispanic Ministry
• Holy Family Retreat Center
• Lifelong Catholic Formation/Education
• Permanent Diaconate
• Stewardship, Communication and Development
• Superintendent of Schools
• Tribunal
• Vocations
• Worship
• Youth Ministry
• Campus Ministry

References

1. https://www.dioceseofbmt.org/ministry-offices/office-of-the-vicar-general/
2. "Diocese of Beaumont". Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
3. "Diocese of Beaumont". GCatholic.org. Retrieved 2013-05-28.
4. Morale, Amos III (2012-05-26). "Our Mother of Mercy School closes after 84 years". Beaumont Enterprise. Retrieved 2017-08-12.

External links

• Roman Catholic Diocese of Beaumont Official Site

Coat of arms of Roman Catholic Diocese of Beaumont

Notes Arms was designed and adopted when the diocese was erected Adopted 1966 Escutcheon The diocesan arms consists of a blue field on which is seen, issuing from the base of the shield, a golden (yellow) hill. On this hill is a golden (yellow) vase that is charged with Chi Rho in red. Above the vase are a silver (white) star between two silver (white) roses. Symbolism The golden (yellow) hill is to cant, or play on, the name of the see city of Beaumont: "beautiful hill." This vase is to signify an oil vial, such as would be used to store the sacred oils that are used in the administration of the sacraments. It is through such oils, blessed from above, that are a means by which salvation is dispensed to God's holy people. The vase also refers to the vast reserves of oil that constitute the basis for the region's best-known industry. Above the vase are a silver (white) star between two silver (white) roses. The star is taken from the flag and seal of the great State of Texas, "The Lone Star State," and the roses are taken from the arms of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston from which the Diocese of Beaumont was erected in 1966.