Catholic Diocese of Biloxi  

The Diocese of Biloxi encompasses and serves 17 southern counties in South Mississippi including the counties of Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Stone, Walthall and Wayne.

The diocese is part of the ecclesiastical province of Mobile and is populated with approximately 58,000 Catholics from the Alabama-Mississippi state line to the lower Mississippi-Louisiana state line and extending north of Laurel into Jones and Wayne counties.

The Beginning of a New Diocese

By the mid-20th century, the Catholic population of South Mississippi had grown significantly. The rapid expansion of communities along the Gulf Coast placed increasing pastoral demands on the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson, which at the time encompassed the entire state of Mississippi. Recognizing the need for more localized leadership and pastoral care, Bishop Joseph Brunini petitioned the Holy See to establish a second diocese in Mississippi.

On March 1, 1977, Pope Paul VI officially erected the Roman Catholic Diocese of Biloxi, creating it from the seventeen southern counties of the Diocese of Jackson. The newly formed diocese became a suffragan see of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and initially served approximately 48,000 Catholics in 42 parishes and 28 Catholic schools.

Just three months later, on June 6, 1977, the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary became the setting for another historic milestone as Bishop Joseph Lawson Howze was ordained and installed as the first Bishop of Biloxi.

Bishop Howze's appointment marked not only the beginning of a new diocese but also a significant moment in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States. He became the first African American bishop to lead a Catholic diocese in the twentieth century, providing faithful leadership while establishing the structures, ministries, and pastoral vision that would shape the Diocese for generations to come.

Building the Diocese

With the Cathedral established as the seat of the bishop, the next question was where the new Diocese would carry out administration and begin to build Bishop Howze's staff and the ministries the Diocese would foster. With limited space available at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bishop Joseph Lawson Howze and his staff initially operated from office space in the Barq Building at the corner of Howard Avenue and Reynoir Street in Biloxi. As the Diocese expanded, so did its administrative and pastoral needs.

In 1979, the Diocese purchased the office building at 198 Reynoir Street to serve as its administration building, while several offices continued operating from the former Sacred Heart School building. Looking toward the future, the Diocese purchased 24 acres on Popps Ferry Road in December 1980 to accommodate anticipated growth. Nearly two decades later, that vision became a reality with the dedication of the current Chancery and Administration Building on June 25, 2000.

Today, the diocesan campus on Popps Ferry Road serves as the administrative center of the Diocese of Biloxi. As the Diocese has grown, ministries such as Catholic Charities of South Mississippi have expanded into their own dedicated facilities to better serve communities throughout the region.

Growth has extended far beyond buildings. Over the years, the Diocese has established and strengthened ministries that respond to the spiritual and physical needs of the people of South Mississippi. Through outreach efforts such as Mercy Cross Day Center, de l'Epee Deaf Center, the Tabitha Project, pregnancy support, addiction recovery ministries, and countless parish-based programs, the Diocese continues to carry out Christ's mission of mercy, compassion, and service.

Leadership Through the Years

Since its founding, the Diocese has been blessed by four bishops who have each guided the Church through unique moments in its history.

Bishop Joseph Lawson Howze (1977–2001) established the Diocese and laid its pastoral and administrative foundation while fostering unity among the faithful of South Mississippi.

On July 2, 2001, Bishop Thomas J. Rodi(2001-2008) was ordained and installed as the second Bishop of Biloxi, leading the Diocese into a new millennium and was faced with the destruction and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

He was succeeded by Bishop Roger P. Morin(2008-2017), who was installed on April 27, 2009, shepherding the Diocese for the next eight years with humility and justice.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Biloxi was officially established on March 1, 1977, when it was created from the southern counties of the Diocese of Jackson.

Just a few months later, on June 6, 1977, the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biloxi was the setting for a historic moment: the installation of Bishop Joseph Lawson Howze, D.D., as the first bishop of the new diocese. 

On July 2, 2001, Bishop Thomas J. Rodi was ordained and installed as the second bishop, guiding the diocese into a new millennium. 

Bishop Roger P. Morin, who was installed on April 27, 2009, bringing his own pastoral vision and dedication to the people of the Gulf Coast.
 
Most recently, on April 28, 2017, the Cathedral once again welcomed a new shepherd. Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III was ordained and installed as the fourth Bishop of Biloxi, continuing the legacy of faith and service in South Mississippi.