The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Cloud encompasses 12,251 square miles in 16 central Minnesota counties, with an estimated total population of 555,400. The diocese stretches more than 175 miles from east to west, including some of Minnesota's most rural areas along the North and South Dakota borders. It also includes one of the nation's fastest-growing suburban corridors extending from Minneapolis northwest to St. Cloud.

The diocese currently includes 132 parishes with a combined Catholic population of 140,000.

Men and women of 11 different religious communities serve the diocese in its mission. Currently, 60 diocesan priests actively serve in the Diocese of Saint Cloud and 50 retired priests are part of the diocese. Approximately 50 diocesan permanent deacons and 2 transitional deacons are part of our diocese.

Catholic education is widely available throughout the diocese for all age groups, with 32 elementary schools, four middle schools, two high schools, St. John's University, The College of St. Benedict, and St. John's School of Theology.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Saint Cloud provides a variety of social services throughout central Minnesota. The diocese also contains 22 Catholic-sponsored hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living residences.

Bishop John F. Kinney was appointed the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Saint Cloud May 9, 1995. He was formally installed July 6, 1995.