Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, Ontario
The Diocese of Hamilton () is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in Canada. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese in Toronto. The cathedral is the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, dedicated to Christ the King in 1933, in Hamilton, Ontario. There is a former cathedral, St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, also in Hamilton and a minor basilica, Our Lady Immaculate, in Guelph, Ontario. History It was established on 29 February 1856 by Pope Pius IX as the Diocese of Hamilton, on territory split off from the Archdiocese of Toronto, which became its Metropolitan. On 22 November 1958, it lost territory to establish the Diocese of Saint Catharines. The Diocese of Hamilton celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2006, with Anthony Tonnos celebrating Mass at the seat of the diocese. Special signs, marks and posters were commissioned for many of the diocese's churches, schools and buildings. Bishops Episcopal ordinaries John Farrell (1856.02.29 – death 28 September 1873), a native of Ireland, consecrated May 11, 1856. He introduced Catholic schools, built St. Mary's Cathedral, and helped to establish the academies of the Ladies of Loretto in Hamilton and Guelph. He also encouraged the founding of St. Jerome's College by the Fathers of the Resurrection, and confided the Owen Sound Missions to the Basilian Fathers. The CRC had been formed in 1836 in Paris. Many of its members were Polish emigres who left their native country in a time of political turmoil. P. F. Crinnon (1874.02.03 – death November 25, 1882), also born in Ireland and consecrated April 19, 1873. He built St. Patrick's Church in Hamilton, Ontario, established the House of Providence, Dundas and secured a site for Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. James Joseph Carbery (1883.09.04 – death 17 December 1887 in Ireland), Dominican Order (O.P.) also born in Ireland, consecrated on November 11, 1883, and held an important diocesan synod. T. J. Dowling, D.D., first Canadian incumbent (1889.01.11 – death 1924.08.06), previously Bishop of Peterborough (Canada) (1886.12.14 – 1889.01.11). Since his May 1889 installment, 14 new parishes had been established, 28 priests ordained, and 22 new churches, schools and presbyteries erected. Catholic hospitals at Hamilton and Guelph, and the new House of Providence at Dundas were also established in his time. During Dowling's time, there were 42 priests in the diocese of Canadian by birth. Four were from Ireland, four from the United States, four from France, three from Germany, two from Poland and two from Italy. Candidates for the priesthood studied at St. Jerome's College in Berlin, Ontario (now called Kitchener, Ontario) and Grand Seminary in Montreal, Quebec. The diocese had nine parishes for German-speaking people and one Indian parish. There were also chapels for Poles and Italians. John T. McNally (1924.08.12 – 1937.02.17), previously Bishop of Calgary (Canada) (1913.04.04 – 1924.08.12); later Metropolitan Archbishop of Halifax (Canada) (1937.02.17 – 1952.11.18). Joseph F. Ryan (1937.08.16 – retired 1973.03.27), died 1990. His term brought much growth and expansion of churches and