The Diocese of Stockton was formed on January 13, 1962 on Californian territories split off from the Archdiocese of San Francisco and from the Diocese of Sacramento. In 1966, it gained more territory from the Diocese of Sacramento.
The Diocese is comprised of six counties: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Alpine, and Mono. It covers over 10,000 square miles with a total population of over 1.3 million people. There are 85 active priests that service thirty-five parishes and fourteen missions.
Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Alpine counties are located on the western side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Most parishes in these counties date back to the gold rush days. Mono County is on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and is usually cut off from the rest of the diocese during winter. The parish church located in Mammoth Lakes provides for the spiritual care of vacationers during the winter and summer.The largest racial/ethnic groups in our Diocese are White and Hispanic. There are also many of Filipino and South East Asian descent. The largest Azorean Portuguese population outside the Azores is found in the Diocese of Stockton.
Six Bishops have served the Diocese of Stockton: