About Diocese of Des Moines

The Diocese of Des Moines, created in 1911, serves people over a 12,446 square mile area, the southwestern quadrant of Iowa, including 23 counties. The diocese is comprised of:

About 97,000 Catholics of a total population of about 742,000
81 parishes
18 schools
60 active diocesan priests, and
3 Catholic hospitals.

Bishop Richard Pates is the shepherd of the diocese, having been appointed in 2008. His priorities are:

Meeting the needs of newcomers, particularly Hispanic Catholics,
Growing vocations, particularly to the priesthood,
Encouraging people to understand and support evangelization, and
Serving youth and young adults.

Ministries

The Diocese of Des Moines has a number of ministries. They include:
Office of the Bishop
         Vicar General
         Judicial Vicar
         Vicar for Retired Priests
         Vicar for Newly Ordained Priests (first five years)
         Vicar for Finance
         Archives
         Chancellor
         Vice chancellors
         Diaconate
         Diaconate Formation
         Judicial Ministry (Tribunal)
         Marriage Ministry
         Victim Assistance Advocate
         Worship
Administration
         Building Administration
         Development
         Human Resources
Catholic Charities
         Adoptions/Pregnancy Counseling – A New Beginning
         Counseling
         Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Program
                  - Phoenix House Domestic Violence Shelter
         Poverty Reduction
                 - Migrant and Refugee Services
                 - St. Mary Family Center
                 - St. Joseph Emergency Family shelter
         Social Justice Consortium
Communications and Public Relations
         The Catholic Mirror
         “In the Heartland with Bishop Pates” radio show
         Press Center
Catholic Schools
         Cristo Rey School Feasibility Study
Evangelization and Catechesis (formerly Faith Formation)
         Adult Faith Formation

Centennial Evangelization Initiative

Diocesan Centennial Steering Committee
Catechetical Services
Deaf Ministry

Lay Ministry

Youth Ministry

Finance
         Accounting Services
         Computer Services
         Controller
         Vicar for Finance
Vocations