Welcome to the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington

The church has always taught that God is the author of marriage. In the words of the Second Vatican Council, “the intimate partnership of life and the love which constitutes the married state has been established by the creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws.” Click here to read Bishop Malooly's letter on marriage.

What is marriage? Are a man and a woman really essential to marriage? What about the child … and the role of mothers and fathers? Is it discriminatory to defend marriage as the union of one man and one woman? What impact does the redefinition of marriage have on religious liberty? Click here.

The U.S. bishops have issued a call to action to defend religious liberty and urged laity to work to protect the First Freedom of the Bill of Rights. They outlined their position in “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty.” The document was developed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), approved for publication by the USCCB Administrative Committee, and published in English and Spanish. Click here for more information.

Delaware residents, take action here.
Maryland residents, take action here.
Residents of other states, take action here.

To read a letter from Bishop Malooly, click here.

The Diocese of Wilmington has launched the 2012 Annual Catholic Appeal, in which Catholics in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore are asked to reflect on their role as Christian stewards and to contribute a portion of their financial resources to support the work of the church in the coming year. Contributions to the Appeal not only assist individuals and families throughout the diocese with financial, emotional and spiritual needs but also provide the resources to operate diocesan programs and essential services that parishes cannot deliver on their own. Click here for details.

The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington is blessed to have, within its borders, world famous vacation and resort areas. Whether you are enjoying the history and natural beauty of the towns and villages along the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay, or the family fun of a Delaware or Maryland Atlantic Ocean resort vacation; you’ll find a Catholic community nearby ready to welcome you with open arms. We invite you to come and worship with us!
Click here for Mass times.

Diocesan Consultation Process. The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington is in the process of developing a set of priorities which will direct our mission for the next five years. In developing a vision for the Diocese, Bishop Malooly is getting input and advice from both the laity, religious and the clergy. To accomplish this, a series of consultations are being conducted through May 2012.
Click here for more information.

May is a month dedicated to Our Lady. Would you like to learn more about the rosary? While the rosary is seen as a Marian devotion, it is truly a Christ centered prayer. The mysteries of the rosary clearly focus on the events in Christ's life. Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said: "In praying the rosary with devotion, we are reliving the life of Christ."

Click here to learn more about the rosary.

Happy Easter! Easter is the most important feast for Christians; it is at the very center of our faith.
Click here to read Bishop Fran Malooly's Easter Message.

For Easter audio and video features, Click here.

There are many issues facing us on a national and state wide level. Social concerns such as health care and immigration, life issues such as abortion and euthanasia, Catholic schools, family issues, poverty and so much more. You can make a big difference in just 5 minutes. That's all it will take to join Catholics in the Diocese of Wilmington as members of the Catholic Advocacy Network. The actions of our government have an enormous impact on the lives of you and your family. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network today.

Click here to join the Delaware Catholic Advocacy Network.

Click here to join the Maryland Catholic Advocacy Network.

The Catholic community in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore – our diocese – and the Church as a whole, have worked hard to protect our precious children. We must all remain vigilant until child sexual abuse is no longer a part of society. What has the Diocese of Wilmington and the Catholic Church in the United States done to respond to sexual abuse by church personnel and protect our children? Here in the Diocese of Wilmington, over 21,000 volunteers, coaches, priests, deacons, youth leaders, teachers and candidates for ordination have had their backgrounds checked and have taken the For the Sake of God’s Children safe environment training.

Click here for details

An Independent audit has shown that the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is being followed in Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore. Click here for details

Never has so much harm been done by so few. To read a commentary on the John Jay Report on "The Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests. 1950-2010," click here.