Roman Catholic Diocese of Yakima

Last updated
Diocese of Yakima

Dioecesis Yakimensis
St. Paul Cathedral - Yakima 01.jpg
St. Paul Cathedral
Coat of arms of the Diocese of Yakima.svg
Coat of arms
Location
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
TerritoryCentral Washington State
Ecclesiastical province Province of Seattle
Population
- Catholics

79,000 [1]  (12.2%)
Information
Denomination Catholic
Sui iuris church Latin Church
Rite Roman Rite
EstablishedJune 23, 1951
Cathedral St. Paul Cathedral
Current leadership
Pope Francis
Bishop Joseph J. Tyson
Metropolitan Archbishop Paul Etienne
Bishops emeritus Carlos Arthur Sevilla
Map
Diocese of Yakima.jpg
Website
yakimadiocese.org

The Diocese of Yakima (Latin : Dioecesis Yakimensis) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese of the Catholic Church in central Washington State in the United States. It is a suffragan see in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Seattle,

Contents

The mother church of the Diocese of Yakima is St. Paul Cathedral in Yakima. As of 2023, the current bishop is Joseph J. Tyson. [2]

Territory

The Diocese of Yakima comprises Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat and Yakima Counties.

History

The Diocese of Yakima was erected on June 23, 1951, by Pope Pius XII. Its territory was taken from the Dioceses of Seattle and Spokane. The pope named Reverend Joseph Dougherty of Seattle as the first bishop of Yakima. [3] In 1969, Dougherty became an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

The second bishop of Yakima was Monsignor Cornelius Power of Seattle, selected by Pope Paul VI in 1969. [4] Five years later, he became archbishop of the Archdiocese of Portland. To replace Power, Paul VI named Reverend Nicolas Walsh from the Diocese of Boise in 1974. After only two years, Walsh became an auxiliary bishop in Seattle. [5]

In 1977, Paul VI appointed Reverend William S. Skylstad of Spokane as the next bishop of Yakima. After 13 years of service as bishop, Skylstad became bishop of Spokane in 1990. [6] He was replaced by Pope John Paul II with Monsignor Francis George in 1990. George was named archbishop of Portland in 1996. [7]

Auxiliary Bishop Carlos Arthur Sevilla of the Archdiocese of San Francisco was the next bishop of Yakima, named by John Paul II in 1996. [8] Sevilla retired in 2011. To replace Sevilla, Pope Benedict XVI named Auxiliary Bishop Joseph J. Tyson of Seattle in 2011.

In 2011, Tyson began a migrant ministry program in which every seminarian assists and ministers to migrant workers. [9] This was inspired by the Youth Migrant Project in the Archdiocese of Seattle [10] As of 2014, the diocese had 41 parishes and seven Catholic schools. [1] [11]

As of 2023, Tyson is the current bishop of the Diocese of Yakima.

Sex abuse

The Diocese of Yakima in January 2008 agreed to pay $25,000 each to four women who claimed to have been sexually abused by Reverend Michael Simpson. The alleged crimes took place at Saint Aloysius Parish in Toppenish when the plaintiffs were children. [12] In 2005, a woman from Zillah also sued the diocese, claiming sexual abuse by Simpson. [13]

In April 2008, Bishop Sevilla accepted blame for hiring Reverend Juan Gonzalez from Oregon in 2003 to work as a retreat director for the diocese. Gonzalez was being investigated at that time by police in Marion County, Oregon, for viewing child pornography. [14] Sevilla knew about the investigation, but hired Gonzalez anyway. Police later notified Sevilla that charges had been filed against Gonzalez, but there was no follow-up by the diocese. [15]

In May 2008, Sevilla admitted that he failed to notify parishioners in the diocese about Reverend Jose Joaquin Estrada Arango, convicted earlier in 2008 of fondling a 14-year-old girl in Oregon. Estrada had worked in four parishes in Yakima between 2001 and 2003. [16]

In 2014, Sevilla testified in a civil lawsuit against the diocese. The plaintiff claimed to have been sexually assaulted in 1999 at age 17 by seminarian Aaron Ramirez at Resurrection Catholic Church in Zillah. The suit alleged that the diocese had been negligent in checking Ramirez's background when he applied to enter the priesthood. [17] Ramirez fled to Mexico after the incident, where he became an Anglican priest. Sevilla did not notify the Mexican Anglican archbishop about Ramirez's alleged crimes until 2005. [18]

In July 2019, the diocese published a list of 21 priests and deacons with credible accusations of sexual abuse of minors. [19] In September 2019, the Vatican instructed Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle to investigate Sevilla's Sevilla's handling of sexual abuse cases and to determine if he retaliated against diocesan employees who criticized his actions. In July 2022, Francis released a formal reprimand to Sevilla. [20]

Bishops of Yakima

  1. Joseph Patrick Dougherty (1951–1969)
  2. Cornelius Michael Power (1969–1974), appointed Archbishop of Portland in Oregon
  3. Nicolas Eugene Walsh (1974–1976), appointed auxiliary bishop of Seattle
  4. William Stephen Skylstad (1977–1990), appointed Bishop of Spokane
  5. Francis George (1990–1996), appointed Archbishop of Portland in Oregon and later Archbishop of Chicago (elevated to Cardinal in 1998)
  6. Carlos Arthur Sevilla (1996–2011)
  7. Joseph J. Tyson (2011–present)

Education

The Diocese of Yakima has six elementary schools and one high school:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco</span> Latin Church ecclesiastical territory of the Catholic Church in northern California

The Archdiocese of San Francisco is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in the northern California region of the United States. The Archdiocese of San Francisco was erected on July 29, 1853, by Pope Pius IX and its cathedral is the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Reno</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Nevada, USA

The Diocese of Reno is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in the northern Nevada region of the United States. It is a suffragan diocese, formerly of the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of San Francisco and, since May 30, 2023, of the Archdiocese of Las Vegas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in California, US

The Diocese of Oakland is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in the San Francisco Bay Area of California in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archbishop of San Francisco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in California, USA

The Diocese of Stockton is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in the Central Valley and Mother Lode region of California in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archbishop of San Francisco

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Washington State, United States

The Archdiocese of Seattle is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or archdiocese, of the Catholic Church in western Washington State in the United States. The Diocese was known as the Diocese of Nesqually from 1850 to 1907. The mother church of the archdiocese is St. James Cathedral in Seattle. The former cathedral is the Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater in Vancouver. Its archbishop since 2019 is Paul D. Etienne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Washington, USA

The Diocese of Spokane is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in Washington State in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Seattle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Delaware and Maryland, United States

The Diocese of Wilmington is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory – or diocese, of the Catholic Church in the eastern United States. The diocese comprises the entire state of Delaware and the Eastern Shore Region of Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona–Rochester</span> Ecclesiastical territory of the Catholic Church in southern Minnesota, United States

The Diocese of Winona–Rochester is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in Southern Minnesota in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Wisconsin, USA

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay is a Latin church diocese in the northeast region of Wisconsin in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Its mother church is the Cathedral of Saint Francis Xavier in Green Bay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi</span> Diocese of the Catholic Church in Texas

The Diocese of Corpus Christi is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in southern Texas in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Island</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Nebraska, U.S.

The Diocese of Grand Island is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in northwestern and central Nebraska in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Omaha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Montana, USA

The Diocese of Helena is the Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in western Montana in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese of the ecclesiastical province of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Missouri, USA

The Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in southern Missouri in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Saint Louis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Duluth</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Minnesota, USA

The Diocese of Duluth is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in northeastern Minnesota in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Rapid City</span> Latin Catholic jurisdiction in the United States

The Diocese of Rapid City is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in western South Dakota in the United States It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Leo Thomas</span> American prelate of the Catholic Church (born 1950)

George Leo Thomas is an American prelate of the Catholic Church who has served as Archbishop of Las Vegas since 2023. He has been the ordinary of the diocese since 2018, when it was still a suffragan see. He previously served as Bishop of Helena from 2004 to 2018 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Seattle from 1999 to 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William S. Skylstad</span> American Roman Catholic Bishop (born 1934)

William Stephen Skylstad is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Spokane in Washington State from 1990 to 2010. He previously served as the bishop of the Diocese of Yakima in Washington State from 1977 to 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Arthur Sevilla</span> American prelate

Carlos Arthur Sevilla is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Yakima in Washington State from 1996 to 2011 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco in California from 1988 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph J. Tyson</span> American prelate

Joseph Jude Tyson is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who has been serving as the bishop of the Diocese of Yakima Washington State since 2011. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Seattle in Washington State from 2005 to 2011.

Joseph Patrick Dougherty was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the first bishop of the Diocese of Yakima in Washington State from 1951 to 1969 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in California from 1969 to 1970.

References

  1. 1 2 "Diocese of Yakima". Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  2. "Metropolitan Archdiocese of Seattle". GCatholic. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  3. "Bishop Joseph Patrick Dougherty [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  4. "Archbishop Cornelius Michael Power [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  5. "Bishop Nicolas Eugene Walsh [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  6. "Bishop William Stephen Skylstad [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  7. "Francis Eugene Cardinal George [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  8. Admin, M. M. J. "Bishop Emeritus Carlos A. Sevilla, S.J." Diocese of Yakima. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  9. Muth, Chaz (11 October 2018). "Working alongside migrant laborers prepares seminarians for priesthood". Crux. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  10. Carroll, Megan (7 September 2017). "Parish Youth Spend Summer Serving Migrant Farmworker Families in Skagit Valley". Northwest Catholic. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  11. "Diocese of Yakima". Gcatholic.org. Retrieved 2014-04-16.
  12. "Yakima Diocese Sex Abuse Case Settled". NBC Right Now. 2008-01-08. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  13. Morey, Mark (February 2, 2005). "Former Zillah Resident Sues Diocese, Claiming Priest Abused Her". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  14. "Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Yakima admits hiring employee under investigation for viewing child porn online". NBC Right Now. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  15. "Bishop says hire was mistake | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  16. Salmon, Jacqueline L. (2008-05-11). "Vatican protecting bishops, activists say". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  17. Herald-Republic, By Donald W. Meyers Yakima. "Former Yakima bishop testifies at sex-abuse trial". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  18. "Church Punishes Priests but Protects Bishops, Critics Say". The Washington Post . 2008-05-10. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  19. Herald-Republic, TAMMY AYER Yakima (2019-07-10). "Yakima Diocese lists priests and deacons with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  20. "Former Yakima bishop reprimanded by pope for 'mistakes'". www.pillarcatholic.com/. 2022-07-18. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  21. Admin, M. M. J. (2019-05-13). "Schools Archives". Diocese of Yakima. Retrieved 2023-10-21.

46°35′48″N120°31′46″W / 46.59667°N 120.52944°W / 46.59667; -120.52944