December 20, 2019

Diocese of Indianapolis raised to the status of archdiocese 75 years ago

Archbishop Amleto G. Cicognani, center, celebrates a Mass on Dec. 19, 1944, in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis after the formal implementation of a decree of Pope Pius XII raising the then-Diocese of Indianapolis to an archdiocese. Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter, who became the first archbishop of Indianapolis the same day, is seen at right. He had been installed as bishop of Indianapolis in 1934. Archbishop Cicognani was apostolic delegate to the United States from 1933-58. (Archive photo)

Archbishop Amleto G. Cicognani, center, celebrates a Mass on Dec. 19, 1944, in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis after the formal implementation of a decree of Pope Pius XII raising the then-Diocese of Indianapolis to an archdiocese. Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter, who became the first archbishop of Indianapolis the same day, is seen at right. He had been installed as bishop of Indianapolis in 1934. Archbishop Cicognani was apostolic delegate to the United States from 1933-58. (Archive photo)

On Dec. 19, 1944, 75 years ago this month, a decree of Pope Pius XII was implemented that raised the then-Diocese of Indianapolis to the status of an archdiocese.

As a result, the shepherd of the Church in central and southern Indiana at the time, Bishop Joseph E. Ritter, became an archbishop.

Archbishop Amleto G. Cicognani, apostolic delegate to the United States at the time, came to SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis for ceremonies to mark the occasion. They included a formal reading of the decree and a Mass.

On the same date, the Diocese of Evansville, Ind., was created out of territory that previously was part of the Diocese of Indianapolis.

Then-Father Henry J. Grimmelsman was ordained and installed as the first bishop of Evansville on Dec. 21, 1944. He led the Church in southwestern Indiana until retiring in 1965. Archbishop Ritter was named archbishop of St. Louis in July 1946. †

 

 

 

Local site Links: