Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

The Diocese of Tucson has once again fulfilled its annual obligation by submitting statistics to the Vatican. The data includes information on the number of clergy, religious, and sacraments administered, as well as a list of approved Catholic organizations within the diocese. This information is crucial for the compilation of the Official Catholic Directory for United States dioceses.

The Official Catholic Directory plays a vital role in fostering collaboration within the Catholic Church as it adapts to local and national trends. It provides comprehensive data on parishes, personnel, sacraments, education, and community care. The submission of this data is overseen by the diocesan chancellor's office, which collects information from parish staff across the 78 parishes in the Diocese of Tucson.

In a statement from the foreword of the 2023 Official Catholic Directory, it is highlighted that, "Although the Catholic Church in the United States has changed significantly over the past 200 years, our core mission remains the same." The publication expresses gratitude to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, ecclesiastical authorities, and diocesan staff for their cooperation and assistance in completing this mission.

The recently submitted data from 2023 to the Vatican offers valuable insights into the well-being and impact of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Tucson. Notable figures include nearly 300,000 Catholics, 177 priests, 68 women religious, and 158 deacons. Thousands of sacraments were administered, including baptisms, first communions, confirmations, funerals, and sacramental marriages. Additionally, the data shed light on the 6,600 students and 500 teachers in the Diocese of Tucson's 22 Catholic schools.

Overall, the submission of statistics to the Vatican is a significant task that provides key stakeholders such as the bishop, vicar general, and chancellor with essential perspectives on the Catholic Church's presence and activities within the Diocese of Tucson.