Diocese of Springfield - Cape Girardeau at 601 South Jefferson Ave., Springfield, MO 65806-3143 US - Faith Facts

Catholic churches throughout the world are grouped, locally, into a diocese.  Each of the dioceses has a bishop who is in union with the Pope (also known as the Bishop of Rome).  The Diocese of Springfield - Cape Girardeau has 66 parishes in our diocese, 19 missions and 2 chapels.

What does the Bishop do?

Under canon law (church law), the bishop shepherds the people of his diocese and insures that public worship is done in a dignified and reverent manner. He is the teacher of the faith, and he is responsible for promoting and selecting candidates for priesthood and deaconate. He attends to people’s spiritual needs, oversees the needs of priests, deacons, and religious and lay leaders.

Why are there two cathedrals?

Due to the great distance from one side to the other of this diocese (25,719 square miles - 39 counties), two cathedrals (the Bishop’s Seat) were erected: one on the west and one on the east side of the diocese.

Why is this just a diocese and not an archdiocese?

A diocese is a territorial division headed by the bishop whereas an archdiocese is the main diocese of a group of dioceses. 

What is the Catholic Center and what goes on there?

It is the location for the Bishop’s office as well as all the diocesan-based departments that play an important leadership and supportive role by providing services through: