About the Diocese

2016_diocesanbuildingcathedralEstablished on November 12, 1889 by Pope Leo XIII comprising all of South Dakota.

Since 1902, comprises that part of the State of South Dakota East of the Missouri River.

The Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls is a significant presence in eastern South Dakota. For 125 years, it has not only spread the message of the Gospel, but has lived the message through its ministries and parishes. Through spiritual and sacramental outreach, educational endeavors and a commitment to service, the Church has made a difference in people’s lives. We are striving to continue this tradition by making our Diocese an even better place to live, learn, work and worship. The Family of God in the Sioux Falls Diocese, headed by Most Rev. Donald E. DeGrood, numbers over 120,000 baptized members.

The Pastoral Center is where most of the diocesan head offices are. The building is located directly North of St. Joseph Cathedral.

The Shepherds Flock

Info of current and past bishop’s of the diocese.

Rt. Reverend Martin Marty
BishopMarty

– Appointed Vicar Apostolic of Dakota on August 8, 1879
– Named First Bishop of Sioux Falls on November 12, 1889
– Transferred to the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1894
– Died on September 19, 1896

Rt. Reverend Thomas O’Gorman
BishopOGorman
– Named Bishop of Sioux Falls on January 24, 1896
– Died on September 18, 1921

Most Reverend Bernard J. Mahoney
BishopMahoney
– Named Bishop of Sioux Falls on May 22, 1922
– Died on March 20, 1939

Most Reverend William O. Brady
BishopBrady
– Named Bishop of Sioux Falls on June 10, 1939
– Transferred to the Archdiocese of St. Paul on June 21, 1956
– Died on October 1, 1961

Most Reverend Lambert A. Hoch
BishopHoch
– Named Bishop of Sioux Falls on November 2, 1956
– Resigned from Office of Bishop on June 13, 1978
– Died on June 27, 1990

Most Reverend Paul V. Dudley
BishopDudley
– Named Bishop of Sioux Falls on September 26, 1978
– Resigned from Office of Bishop on March 21, 1995
– Died on November 20, 2006

Most Reverend Paul F. Anderson
BishopAnderson
– Named Auxiliary Bishop of Sioux Falls on August 12, 1982
– Died on January 4, 1987

Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson
BishopCarlson
– Named Coadjutor Bishop of Sioux Falls on January 13, 1994
– Named seventh Bishop on March 21, 1995
– Transferred to Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan February 24, 2005
– Named Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis on April 21,2009
– Resigned from the Office of the Archbishop on June 10, 2020

Most Reverend Paul J. Swain
BishopSwain
– Named Bishop of Sioux Falls on August 30, 2006
– Consecrated as Bishop of Sioux Falls on October 26, 2006
– Resigned from Office of Bishop on December 12, 2019
– Died on November 26, 2022

Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood

– Named Bishop of Sioux Falls on December 12, 2019
– Consecrated as Bishop of Sioux Falls on February 13, 2020