Who We Are
Geography :: Regions and Zones :: Ethnic Diversity :: Statistics

Within the Archdiocese of Toronto, you will find a family of faith that is alive and at work in our community. Comprised of nearly 1.9 Million Catholics, 225 parishes and 4 missions, the Archdiocese is led by His Grace, Archbishop Thomas Collins, and assisted by Auxiliary Bishops, Most Reverend John A. Boissonneau and Most Reverend Peter J. Hundt. Former Archbishop, His Eminence, Aloysius Cardinal Ambrozic retired in 2006. Auxiliary Bishop, Most Reverend Pearse Lacey retired in 1993.

First separated from the Archdiocese of Kingston, the Diocese of Toronto was erected on December 14, 1841. Less than 30 years later, after rapid expansion, on March 18, 1870, the Diocese became the Archdiocese of Toronto.

As a family of faith, we celebrate Mass for 36 ethnic and linguistic communities every week making the Archdiocese of Toronto one of the most ethnically diverse Catholic dioceses in the world. Together with our clergy, parishes, volunteers, Archdiocesan employees and the entire Catholic community, we are a family living out our faith, ready to act, serve and grow together in God’s love.

For a history of the Archdiocesan Coat of Arms, click here

For a timeline of historical events, courtesy of
Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto (ARCAT), click here

For a timeline of Toronto’s Auxiliary Bishops, courtesy of ARCAT, click here

For a timeline of Toronto's Archbishops, courtesy of ARCAT, click here

Geography

The Archdiocese covers a geographic region of the Great Lakes area, which stretches from the shores of Lake Ontario north to Georgian Bay. In total, the area covers some 13,000 square kilometers, comprised of intensely urban and suburban regions and also small cities, towns and rural areas.

The Archdiocese of Toronto includes the City of Toronto, the most populous metropolis in the country and the growing regional municipalities of Peel, York and Durham that surround the City. As the regional municipalities expand, the northern section of the Archdiocese, Simcoe County, is also experiencing notable suburban growth.

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Regions and zones

The Archdiocese of Toronto is divided into three pastoral regions comprising 14 pastoral zones. The three pastoral regions which divide the Archdiocese are the Central, Northern and Western Regions. The zones are made up of parishes within a geographical boundary.

For a list of Regions and Pastoral Zones, click here
(please note: click on a zone to find parishes in that region of the Archdiocese)

To find your parish, click here

For a backgrounder on parish boundaries and church buildings, click here

Ethnic Diversity

Established in 1841, essentially for the Irish and Anglo-Saxon Catholics, the Archdiocese grew as a multicultural mosaic of ethnicities and denominations. This growth was fuelled after the Second World War with large numbers of overseas immigrants.

Toronto and its surrounding suburban centers continue to be the largest growing urban area in Canada for migration. To accommodate the diversity of nationalities wishing to practice their faith, the Archdiocese of Toronto offers religious services in a variety of languages.

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Statistics for the Archdiocese of Toronto

Statistics

Archdiocese of Toronto

Sacraments/Rites of the Catholic Church

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Sources:
Sacramental Statistics 2007
Statistics – Archdiocese of Toronto 2007
Canadian Catholic Church Directory 2008
Directory – Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 2008

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