Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona–Rochester

The Diocese of Winona–Rochester includes the following 20 counties: Blue Earth, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Jackson, Martin, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Olmsted, Pipestone, Rock, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona.{{Cite web|url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dwino.html|title=Winona–Rochester (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]|website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org}}

Within Minnesota, the diocese is bordered to the north by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and the Diocese of New Ulm.

Southern Minnesota area went through several Catholic jurisdictions before the Vatican erected the Diocese of Winona:

• Diocese of Saint Louis (1826 to 1837)
• Diocese of Dubuque (1837 to 1850)
• Diocese of Saint Paul (1850 to 1875){{cite web |title=Diocese of Duluth |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/ddulu.html |accessdate=2013-06-04 |publisher=Catholic-Hierarchy}}{{Cite web |title=The History of the Diocese of Winona |url=https://www.dowr.org/about/our-history.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=www.dowr.org}}

The first Mass in the present-day diocese was celebrated in 1840 by Lucien Galtier along the Mississippi River in Wabasha. As large numbers of Catholic Irish, German, Czech and Polish immigrants started settling in the region, the diocese sent more missionary priests to minister to them.

In Mankato, the first parish, Saint Peter and Paul, was organized in 1854.{{Cite web |title=Saint Peter & Paul Catholic Church |url=https://iveminorseminary.com/saint-peter--paul-catholic-church |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Saint José Sanchez Del Río High School Seminary |language=en}} The first parish in Winona, St. Thomas, was established in 1857.{{cite web |title=St. Thomas Parish |url=http://www.cascwinona.org/history-of-st-thomas-parish.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082101/http://www.cascwinona.org/history-of-st-thomas-parish.html |archive-date=2015-05-18 |accessdate=2015-05-09 |publisher=Cathedral of the Sacred Heart}} In 1863, the first Catholic church in Rochester, St. John the Evangelist, was opened.{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.sj.org/history |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist |language=en-US}} In 1877, Coadjutor Bishop John Ireland of Saint Paul purchased over {{Convert|100,000|acre|ha}} of land in the Winona area. Ireland then recruited poor Catholic Irish and German farmers to buy the land and settle there, giving them favorable repayment terms.

In 1882, the Sisters of Saint Francis built a new hospital in Rochester and asked Doctors William James Mayo and Charles Mayo to be the medical staff. This was the start of the Mayo Clinic.{{cite book |last=Clapesattle |first=Helen |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.63952 |title=The Doctors Mayo |publisher=The University of Minnesota Press |year=1941}}

Pope Leo XIII erected the Diocese of Winona on November 26, 1889. He appointed Reverend Joseph Cotter from Saint Paul as the first bishop of Winona.{{Cite web |title=The History of the Diocese of Winona |url=https://www.dowr.org/about/our-history.html |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=www.dowr.org}} When Cotter became bishop, the new diocese included 45 priests, eight churches, 15 parochial schools, and two hospitals. Approximately 38,000 Catholics resided in the diocese. Cotter died in 1909. By the time of his death, the diocese had a Catholic population of over 49,000 with 91 priests, 116 churches, and 29 parochial schools with 4,700 students.{{cite book |title=The Official Catholic Directory |date=1910 |publisher=M. H. Wiltzius}}

In 1910, Reverend Patrick Heffron of St. Paul was appointed bishop of Winona by Pope Pius X. He opened Cotter High School in Winona in 1911. He also founded St. Mary's College, a men's college in Winona, in 1912; it is today St Mary's University of Minnesota.{{Cite web |title=About Our University |url=https://www.smumn.edu/about/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Saint Mary's University of Minnesota |language=en-US}} {{Cite web |title=History & Heritage |url=https://www.smumn.edu/about/history-heritage-saint-marys-university-of-minnesota/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Saint Mary's University of Minnesota |language=en-US}}

In 1915, Heffron was shot twice while celebrating a private mass by Reverend Laurence M. Lesches. Lesches had been angry at Heffron for denying him his own parish; Heffron had said he denied the posting due to Lesches' arrogant behavior and emotional instability.{{cite book |last=Ehrlick |first=Darrell |url=https://archive.org/details/ithappenedinminn0000ehrl/page/73 |title=It Happened in Minnesota |date=2008 |publisher=Morris Book Publishing |isbn=9780762743322 |location=Kearney, Nebraska |pages=[https://archive.org/details/ithappenedinminn0000ehrl/page/73 73–75] |url-access=registration}} Heffron survived the shooting; Lesches was committed to a mental hospital for life.{{cite news |author= |date=September 4, 2015 |title=Answer Man: Winona bishop survived 1915 shooting |newspaper=Post Bulletin |location=Rochester, Minnesota |url=http://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/answer-man-winona-bishop-survived-shooting/article_ed329b23-f8f6-542c-bee1-6da4709fccc0.html |access-date=September 4, 2015}} Heffron died in 1927.

File:Pastoral Center Diocese of Winona-Rochester.jpg

Pope Pius XI named Auxiliary Bishop Francis Kelly of Winona in 1928 as the next bishop of the diocese.{{Catholic-hierarchy|bishop|bkellyf|Bishop Francis Martin Kelly|21 January 2015}} After 21 years as bishop, Kelley retired in 1949. Pope Pius XII then appointed Auxiliary Bishop Edward Fitzgerald of Dubuque to replace him.{{Cite web |title=Bishop Edward Aloysius Fitzgerald [Catholic-Hierarchy] |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bfitea.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org}} Fitzgerald became known as "the building bishop" for his oversight of the construction of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, a seminary, and several churches in the diocese.{{cite news |title=Past Bishops of Winona Diocese |work=Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona |url=http://www.dow.org/history/history-pastbishops.html}} He attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council between 1962 and 1965, and subsequently implemented the council's reforms in the diocese, including introducing English into the mass.

After Fitzgerald retired in 1969, Pope Paul VI that same year selected Auxiliary Bishop Loras Watters of Dubuque as the next bishop of Winona.{{Cite web |title=Bishop Loras Joseph Watters [Catholic-Hierarchy] |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bwatters.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org}} He promulgated the document "The Church in the Diocese of Winona," which described the local church and the roles of the clergy, religious, and the laity.{{cite news |author= |date=April 1, 2009 |title=Watters, Former Winona Bishop, Dies at 93 |newspaper=Winona Daily News |location=Winona, Minnesota |url=https://lacrossetribune.com/news/watters-former-winona-bishop-dies-at/article_ec2373c5-9b1f-5832-960e-f6c4c8bf0c5d.html |access-date=2019-04-07}} He initiated the pastoral council, which provided a pastoral leadership role for the laity. He also established the tribunal, the Finance Office, and reorganized the diocese into deaneries. Watters retired in 1986.

File:BishopHarrington.jpg

To replace Watters, Pope John Paul II in 1987 named Auxiliary Bishop John Vlazny from the Archdiocese of Chicago.{{Cite web |title=Archbishop John George Vlazny [Catholic-Hierarchy] |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bvlazny.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org}} During his tenure, Vlazny increased the involvement of the laity, decentralized the diocesan staff, and created the Offices of Youth and Family Life.{{cite news |date=December 3, 2008 |title=Archbishop Vlazny celebrates 25 years as a bishop |work=Catholic Sentinel |url=http://www.catholicsentinel.org/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=35&ArticleID=9658}} He also started the tradition of the "Harvest Mass," an annual outdoor liturgy celebrated on a farm. In 1994, Vlazny asked Catholics in the diocese to consider ending gambling as a source of revenue for parishes and schools. Vlazny became archbishop of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon in 1997.

The next bishop of Winona was Auxiliary Bishop Bernard Harrington from the Archdiocese of Detroit, appointed by John Paul II in 1997.{{Cite web |title=Bishop Bernard Joseph Harrington [Catholic-Hierarchy] |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bharrbj.html |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org}} In 2008, Harrington commented on the plans of Kathy Redig, a chaplain in the diocese, to undergo an unauthorized ordination. Harrington said that Redig would, in effect, be "self-excommunicating" herself from the Catholic Church by this action.{{Cite web |last= |title=Minnesota woman will excommunicate herself, says bishop |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/12346/minnesota-woman-will-excommunicate-herself-says-bishop |access-date=2021-11-28 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}} That same year, Pope Benedict XVI named Auxiliary Bishop John M. Quinn of the Archdiocese of Detroit as coadjutor bishop in Winona to assist Harrington.

File:Bishop Barron - Wikipedia.jpg

When Harrington retired later in 2008, Quinn automatically succeeded him as bishop. In March 2018, the Vatican renamed the Diocese of Winona as the Diocese of Diocese of Winona–Rochester.{{cite web|last1=Farris|first1=Kyle|title=Diocese of Winona renamed with addition of Rochester co-cathedral|url=http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/diocese-of-winona-renamed-with-addition-of-rochester-co-cathedral/article_4a0cbb22-e6e6-53b6-9260-ca96b1c1a2d5.html|website=Winona Daily News|date=27 March 2018 |access-date=28 March 2018}}{{cite web|title=Diocese of Winona Renamed With Addition of Rochester Co-Cathedral|url=https://dow.org/news/84|website=dow.org|access-date=28 March 2018}} In December 2018, the Diocese of Winona–Rochester filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy due to the financial burden caused by the 121 sex abuse lawsuits involving the diocese and 14 priests.{{Cite web |last= |date=19 November 2018 |title=Diocese of Winona–Rochester to file for bankruptcy |url=https://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/diocese-of-winona-rochester-to-file-for-bankruptcy/article_02a13d71-15a1-5513-a236-87ee8b9cc0bb.html |website=Winona Daily News}}[https://www.mnb.uscourts.gov/sites/mnb/files/DWR%20Claims%20Procedures%20%5B13%5D.pdf Court document] uscourts.gov{{Cite web |last=Millard |first=Kevin |title=Diocese of Winona-Rochester to file for bankruptcy after sex abuse claims |url=https://www.wxow.com/news/diocese-of-winona-rochester-to-file-for-bankruptcy-after-sex-abuse-claims/article_d59138da-d7c2-58a1-82cc-b46db9475098.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=WXOW |date=19 November 2018 |language=en}} As part of its bankruptcy filing, the diocese agreed to not file objections to more plaintiffs being added to the lawsuits up to April 8, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Brian |date=January 30, 2019 |title=April 8 deadline set for Diocese of Winona-Rochester child sex abuse filings |url=https://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/april-deadline-set-for-diocese-of-winona-rochester-child-sex/article_d8c70d70-24af-11e9-a038-4f3e8e79a504.html |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Post-Bulletin}}{{Cite web |title=DWR Claims Procedure |url=https://www.mnb.uscourts.gov/sites/mnb/files/DWR%20Claims%20Procedures%20%5B13%5D.pdf |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA}} Quinn retired in 2022.

As of 2023, the current bishop of Winona–Rochester is Robert Barron, formerly an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He was appointed by Pope Francis in 2022. In November 2022, Barron announced that the diocese was moving its headquarters from Winona to Rochester and was building a new pastoral center there.{{Cite web |title=Diocese to move headquarters to Rochester |url=https://www.winonapost.com/news/diocese-to-move-headquarters-to-rochester/article_549284c6-5c8c-11ed-b074-4fdc1775d3c9.html |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Winona Post |date=4 November 2022 |language=en}}

File:1910StMarysHospitalRochesterMNcopyrightCarlAHolland.jpg

In 1984, court documents revealed that Reverend Thomas Adamson had been accused of sexual misconduct ten years earlier. In response, Bishop Watters had sent Adamson to a private psychiatric hospital in Connecticut without contacting the police. When Adamson finished treatment, Archbishop John Roach of Saint Paul-Minneapolis allowed him in 1976 to transfer to the archdiocese. By 1984, the archdiocese was being sued by a local couple who claimed that Adamson had sexually abused their son, Gregory Riedle.{{Cite web |last1=Radio |first1=Minnesota Public |last2=Ringham |first2=Sasha Aslanian, Madeleine Baran, Meg Martin, Eric |last3=News |first3=M. P. R. |title=The church protects its own {{!}} Betrayed by Silence: Chapter Two |url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/catholic-church/betrayed-by-silence/ch2 |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=Minnesota Public Radio News |date=14 July 2014 |language=en}} Adamson confessed his crimes in 2014, but was never prosecuted due to the statute of limitations.{{Cite web |title=Priest: Church officials asked few questions |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/06/11/abusive-priest-church-officials-never-asked-for-list-of-victims |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=MPR News |date=11 June 2014 |language=en}}

The diocese in 2013 published a list of 14 priests with credible accusations of sexual abuse of minors.{{Cite web |title=Winona diocese names 14 priests credibly accused of child sexual abuse |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2013/12/16/winona-diocese-names-14-priests-credibly-accused-of-child-sexual-abuse |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=MPR News |date=16 December 2013 |language=en}} In September 2018, the Minnesota Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal from the diocese to block lawsuits for past cases of sex abuse.{{Cite web|url=https://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/state-appeals-court-overturns-dismissal-of-lawsuit-against-diocese-of-winona-case-will-head-for/article_4c7a1946-0f73-5b96-ae47-b2d9cf3f527a.html|title=State appeals court overturns dismissal of lawsuit against Diocese of Winona; case will head for jury trial|first=JOHN |last=CASPER |website=Winona Daily News|date=25 September 2018 }} In February 2021, the diocese reached a $21.5 million financial settlement with 145 victims of sexual abuse by diocesan clergy as a part of its 2018 bankruptcy filing.{{Cite web |title=Diocese of Winona-Rochester settles with abuse survivors for $21.5 million |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/diocese-winona-rochester-settles-abuse-survivors-215-million |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=www.ncronline.org |language=en}}

In 2022, police arrested Reverend Ubaldo Roque Huerta of Rushmore on charges of criminal sexual conduct. Huerta had been drinking with a friend at Huerta's house when he sexually attacked them. The diocese commented that it had suspended Huerta from ministry in 2019 and had petitioned the Vatican to laicize him.{{Cite web |last=Corey |first=Chad |date=2022-08-18 |title=UPDATE: Warrant issued for former priest of Winona-Rochester |url=https://www.kaaltv.com/archive/former-diocese-of-winona-rochester-priest-faces-criminal-charges/ |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=ABC 6 News - kaaltv.com |language=en-US}}

1. Joseph Bernard Cotter (1889–1909)
2. Patrick Richard Heffron (1910–1927)
3. Francis Martin Kelly (1928–1949)
4. Edward Aloysius Fitzgerald (1949–1969)
5. Loras Joseph Watters (1969–1986)
6. John George Vlazny (1987–1997), appointed Archbishop of Portland in Oregon
7. Bernard Joseph Harrington (1998–2009)
8. John M. Quinn (2009–2018), second see added in Rochester, name of diocese changed to Winona–Rochester

1. John M. Quinn (2018–2022)
2. Robert E. Barron (2022–present){{cite web | url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2022/06/02/0422/00876.html | title=Rinunce e nomine }}

Leo Binz (1942–1949), did not succeed to see; appointed coadjutor archbishop and Archbishop of Dubuque and later Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

George Henry Speltz (1963–1966), appointed coadjutor bishop and later Bishop of Saint Cloud

• Robert Henry Brom, appointed Bishop of Duluth in 1983 and later Bishop of San Diego
• Frederick William Freking, appointed Bishop of Salina in 1957 and later Bishop of La Crosse
• Michael Joseph Hoeppner, appointed Bishop of Crookston in 2007
• John Hubert Peschges, appointed Bishop of Crookston in 1938

• Cotter High School – Winona
• Lourdes High School – Rochester
• Loyola Catholic School – Mankato
• Pacelli High School – Austin

File:St. Mary's University of Winona.jpg

St. Mary's University of Minnesota– Winona

Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary – Winona

{{Infobox COA wide

|image = Coat of arms of the Diocese of Winona–Rochester.svg

|bannerimage =

|badgeimage =

|notes = Arms was designed and adopted when the diocese was erected

|year_adopted = 1889

|crest =

|torse =

|helm =

|escutcheon = The arms of the diocese are composed of a rose on a diamond, supported by a cross

|supporters =

|compartment =

|motto =

|orders =

|other_elements =

|banner =

|badge =

|symbolism = The Indian name "Winona" can be translated "fairest daughter of the tribe" – a name which for Catholics describes Mary. Her "mystical rose" thus appears on a diamond (symbol of virgins), supported by the cross.

|previous_versions =

}}

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{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://www.dowr.org/ Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona–Rochester Official Site]

{{Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona}}

{{Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Saint Paul and Minneapolis}}{{Authority control}}

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Winona

Category:Christian organizations established in 1889

Diocese of Winona

Category:Winona County, Minnesota

Winona

Winona

Category:1889 establishments in Minnesota

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