Article

The Diocese of Westminster

westminsterCathedral1

The Diocese of Westminster consists of the Greater London Boroughs north of the Thames and west of Waltham Forest and Newham, plus the districts of Staines and Sunbury-on-Thames, and the county of Hertfordshire. The Archbishop of Westminster is the Most Rev Vincent Nichols. Patrons of the diocese are Our Blessed Lady Immaculate, St Joseph, St Peter Prince of the Apostles, and St Edward. The diocese is consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the latest statistics: the Archdiocese had 216 parish churches and 216 convents (for women). There were 475 diocesan priests, 89 retired diocesan priests, 128 religious priests, and 16 permanent deacons. The estimated Catholic population was 500,000 and estimated weekly Mass attendance was 157,455. There were 8,796 baptisms (up to 7 years), 1139 marriages, and 476 receptions into full communion of the Catholic Church.