Diocese of Orlando

The Diocese of Orlando is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in central Florida, encompassing approximately 9,611 square miles across nine counties: Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Marion, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Polk, and Sumter.

Established on June 18, 1968, by Pope Paul VI, the diocese serves a diverse community of over 400,000 Catholics, making it one of the largest dioceses in the United States.

Cathedral and Leadership

At the heart of the diocese is St. James Cathedral in Orlando, which serves as the seat of the bishop.

The current bishop, John Gerard Noonan, has been leading the diocese since 2010, guiding its spiritual and administrative affairs.

Organization and Deaneries

The diocese is organized into five deaneries, each overseeing a group of parishes and missions:

• Eastern Deanery (Volusia County): Centered in Daytona Beach.
• Southern Deanery (Brevard County): Centered in Melbourne.
• Northern Deanery (Marion, Sumter, and Lake Counties): Centered in The Villages.
• Western Deanery (Polk County): Centered in Lakeland.
• Central Deanery (Osceola, Orange, Seminole Counties): Centered in Orlando.

Education and Institutions

As of 2025, the diocese comprises 80 parishes, 11 missions, and 38 schools, including:

• Five high schools
• 29 elementary schools
• One special education school
• Three early childhood centers

These institutions provide a Christ-centered education emphasizing leadership, compassion, and academic achievement.

Community Ministries

The diocese offers various ministries and offices to serve the community, including Catholic Charities of Central Florida which provides health care, food distribution, housing, human dignity, and immigration services.

It also supports Catholic campus ministries at several universities, such as the University of Central Florida in Orlando and Florida Southern College in Lakeland.

Locations

• Orlando, FL, USA

The Diocese of Orlando is committed to fostering a vibrant Catholic community through its diverse programs, educational institutions, and outreach services, all aimed at living and teaching the light of Christ.