Statistics of the Diocese of Lansing
Parishes and pastoral centers               97
Catholic schools                                4 high schools, 35 elementary/middle schools
Diocesan priests                               145
Priests from other dioceses                 13
Religious order priests                       21
Religious women                             513
Religious brothers                            10
Deacons                                        105
Consecrated virgins                          7
Commissioned lay ecclesial ministers   107
Catholic population                          222,519
General population                          1,834,438

History of the Diocese of Lansing
The Diocese of Lansing, originally comprising 15 Southern Michigan counties, was established by Pope Pius XI by proclamation dated May 22, 1937. Previously, these counties had been part of the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Diocese of Grand Rapids. In May 1938, with the establishment of the Diocese of Saginaw, the counties of Allegan, Barry and Ionia were annexed from the Diocese of Lansing to the Diocese of Grand Rapids; the counties of Genesee, Livingston, and Shiawassee were annexed from the Archdiocese of Detroit to the Diocese of Lansing. In July 1971, the Dioceses of Kalamazoo and Gaylord were formed from the Dioceses of Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Saginaw, At that time Washtenaw and Lenawee Counties were annexed to the Diocese of Lansing from the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Geographic Area of the Diocese of Lansing
The Diocese of Lansing currently comprises 10 counties that cover 6,218 square miles: Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Shiawassee and Washtenaw. Major cities are Lansing, Adrian, Ann Arbor, Flint, Jackson, Owosso, and Ypsilanti.

Bishops of Lansing
Most Reverend Joseph H. Albers of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati was appointed first bishop of the Diocese of Lansing in 1937 and served until his death in 1965.
Most Reverend Alexander M. Zaleski of the Archdiocese of Detroit became the second bishop of Lansing in 1965 and served until his death in 1975.
Most Reverend Kenneth J. Povish of the Diocese of Crookston became the third bishop of Lansing in 1975 and served until his retirement in 1995. He died Sept. 5, 2003.
Monsignor Carl F. Mengeling of the Diocese of Gary became the fourth bishop of Lansing upon ordination and installation on Jan. 25, 1996 and served until his retirement Feb. 27, 2008.
Most Reverend Earl Boyea of the Archdiocese of Detroit will become the fifth bishop of Lansing on April 29, 2008.

For more information, contact: 
Michael Diebold, Director of Communications
Diocese of Lansing
mdiebold@dioceseoflansing.org
517-342-2475 Direct