Diocese Fast Facts

Shield of the  Diocese of Tucson

1. The cross symbolizes the early missionaries in Arizona.
2. The black tri-mount symbolizes the Native American origin of the word "Tucson." 
3. The stag is from the Territorial Seal of Arizona. When the Diocese was established in 1897, Arizona was still a territory of the United States. 
4. The miter is the traditional headdress of a bishop. Its use on the shield indicates the Diocese is under the authority of the Bishop of Tucson.

Fast Facts

-The Diocese of Tucson includes nine Arizona counties comprising nearly 43,000 square miles, making it the fifth largest diocese in the continental United States as far as area is concerned. 

-These counties are Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Pinal (not including Gila River Indian
 Community) , Cochise, Santa Cruz, Pima, Yuma, and La Paz.

-Pope Pius IX established the Apostolic Vicariate of Arizona in 1868, taking its territory from part of the Diocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

-The Diocese of Tucson was canonically erected by Pope Leo XIII as a diocese on May 8, 1897.

-As of 2019, there are more than 220 priests serving the Diocese. This number includes diocesan priests, religious order members and international priests.

-The Diocese’s territory has been reduced three times: In March 1914 to establish the Diocese of El Paso; In December 1939 to establish the Diocese of Gallup; and in June 1969 to establish the Diocese of Phoenix. 

 Brief early history

“In 1687 a 42- year-old Italian-born and German raised Jesuit missionary was assigned to the difficult Pima nation. Although other Jesuits had been in contact with these Indians for more than 40 years almost no progress had been made among them. It was almost as if God had chosen to reserve them for Eusebio Francisco Kino at his birth in Segno in the Tyrol. Before four years had elapsed, Padre Kino had ridden through a vast new territory . . . 

 “Kino, the "Padre on Horseback," set a pace that continues to challenge every person who calls himself a servant of God in this desert wilderness. He rode the thirsting trails from Quiburi to Yuma, from Sonoyta to San Andres. He urged peace among the warring tribes and taught them more efficient methods of agriculture. He brought them cattle, sheep, horses, and goats; he had them plant new grains, new trees, and vines. He envisioned an Arizona of plenty that could be sustained by hard work, planning, and the gifts of God's nature. . . . Of all the places Kino chose as a hoped-for headquarters, he picked San Xavier del Bac. Bac was an opulent Pima Village on the Rio Santa Marfa (Rio Santa Cruz today). There was no more populous settlement in all the Pimeria Alta . . . And that very place became the see of the Church in Arizona Territory.