A half-century of the archdiocese

It was inevitable. The Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa had become unwieldy in its size and a more reasonable arrangement became a necessity. Since the erection of the Diocese of Oklahoma in 1905, two years before statehood, and the subsequent name change in 1930 to the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the entire state was under the care of one bishop.

Bishop Francis Kelley requested the change, as he was enamored with Tulsa and its more cosmopolitan feel due to its title as “the oil capital of the world,” and consequent diverse population from the influx of those from the eastern United States. In fact, Bishop Kelley contemplated moving the chancery to Tulsa since it now had a co-cathedral in Holy Family. However, with the ramping up of the effects of the Depression, such a vision was not possible or wise as financial strains would become critical.

His successor, Bishop Eugene McGuinness, was a tireless ball of energy who sought to encourage more vocations and planned an extensive evangelization program known as “Operation Understanding.” Non-Catholics were invited to parishes and the parishioners gave guided tours and explained the faith. This forward-thinking program was designed to make the Catholic faith understood and not feared. Due to his many initiatives and programs, he was essentially exhausted as he insisted upon visiting even the smallest rural parishes.

To assist him, he had petitioned Rome with a name for an auxiliary bishop and his request was granted in the person of Victor Reed. Monsignor Reed was an Oklahoman who had grown up just outside of Tulsa and had served as rector of Holy Family Cathedral in Tulsa for a number of years. 

Unfortunately, before his consecration as auxiliary bishop, Bishop McGuinness died suddenly and as a result, Monsignor Reed’s appointment died.

Abandoning convention, as bishops were seldom appointed in their own diocese, Rome named Reed as the next bishop of Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

His episcopacy was tumultuous to say the least. With the 1960s in full bloom, cultural shifts were manifold and Bishop Reed was not shy about taking controversial stances, including being the first bishop to call for an end of the Vietnam War. 

Regardless of the many obstacles he faced, his knowledge of the Church in Oklahoma was extensive and the concept of a new diocese he wholeheartedly supported. Seeing the future, the diocese was divided into the western vicariate, with Father Bill Garthhoeffner as vicar, and Father John Sullivan as vicar of the eastern vicariate. The lines of demarcation, what would become the diocesan boundaries, were basically in place. It was imperative that each potential diocese have a major state university within its boundaries. Oklahoma State University in Stillwater was to become part of Tulsa as the University of Oklahoma was to belong to Oklahoma City.  

Initial discussions with the Little Council, the bishop’s advisory council consisting of priests and lay people, talked about the possibility of another diocese either in Enid or Lawton. This was not feasible as the finances would be prohibitive. 

Splitting the state would also entail establishing a new province. The Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa had belonged to the San Antonio province so the question became, “What city would become the metropolitan see?” Since the Diocese of Little Rock was to become part of this new province, would it not be appropriate for it to become the metropolitan see since it was by far the oldest being established in 1843? The answer, ultimately, was no. Oklahoma City would become the archdiocese.

Bishop Reed announced on April 30, 1971, that the college of consultors had recommended the division of the diocese. 

On the day of his death, Sept.7, 1971, he had a meeting with the Little Council and the letter had been drafted for Rome to review. The bulk of the work had been done.

With his passing, John R. Quinn, auxiliary Bishop of San Diego was to become the Bishop of Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Named an auxiliary at age 38, he was the youngest bishop in the United States. Upon his arrival in January 1972, he was 42 and seen as prelate of great potential, with Oklahoma City not being his final assignment. A gifted organizer, a theologian of merit and a capable administrator, Quinn managed the split deftly. 

On Dec. 13, 1972, the papal bull establishing the two dioceses was published. It was announced on Dec.  19 and the machinations of such an undertaking began in earnest. Priests stayed in the parish in which they were assigned and the minutiae of how finances and records were to be handled began.

The papal bull became reality on Feb. 6, 1973, with the installation of Bishop Quinn as the first Archbishop of Oklahoma City. The next day, Father Bernard Ganter, a Texan, was ordained the first Bishop of Tulsa.

The labor of many came to fruition and the church in Oklahoma was forever altered. On this the 50th anniversary, the vision of men such as Bishops Kelley, Reed and Quinn have helped build a vibrant and healthy church across the state of Oklahoma.

George Rigazzi is the archivist for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.

 
1541
The Coronado expedition crosses into western Oklahoma. The first Mass celebrated in what would become Oklahoma.

1830
Jesuit missionaries from Missouri pursue contact with the Osage tribe; venture into northeastern Oklahoma.

1872
Irish priests build first Catholic church in Atoka to serve workers building the Katy Railroad.

1875
Benedictines Father Isidore Robot and Brother Dominic Lambert arrive from France to settle permanently in Oklahoma.  

1876
Indian Territory is named a Prefecture Apostolic, the first step towards organizing a mission territory. Father Robot is the Prefect Apostolic.

1877
Sacred Heart Benedictine Abbey is founded near Konawa.

1884
Sisters of Mercy arrive at Sacred Heart, beginning their ministry in the state as educators and medical professionals.

1889
The Benedictine Sisters from Creston, Iowa, come to Guthrie and their presence proves critical to the growth of the Church in Oklahoma.

1891
Bishop Theophile Meerschaert named Vicar Apostolic for the new Vicariate of Oklahoma.

1905
The Vicariate becomes the Diocese of Oklahoma with Bishop Meerschaert as the ordinary. 

1924
Bishop Meerschaert dies and the founder of the Catholic Church Extension Society, Francis Clement Kelley, is named the second Bishop of Oklahoma.  

1929
The Great Depression grips Oklahoma, and the world. Bishop Kelley’s plans of growth and expansion are slowed.
Survival of the diocese becomes paramount.

1930
The Diocese of Oklahoma becomes the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City becomes the cathedral, replacing St. Joseph Cathedral. Holy Family is made the co-cathedral in
Tulsa.

1945
Eugene McGuinness is appointed coadjutor bishop as Bishop Kelley’s health deteriorates.

1948
Bishop Kelley dies.

1955
Bishop McGuinness’ tireless work culminates with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the diocese. A capital campaign raises more than $3,000,000 allocated for a seminary and improving ministries.

1957
Bishop McGuinness dies suddenly, two days after Christmas.

1958
Father Victor Joseph Reed, an Oklahoma priest, becomes the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Oklahoma City and
Tulsa. 

1962
The Second Vatican Council begins. The Council profoundly effects the Church in Oklahoma.

1971
For Bishop Reed, the tumultuous 1960s were a source of constant stress. He succumbs to a stroke on September 8. 

1972
Bishop John R. Quinn of San Diego named bishop at the age of 42.

1973
The papal bull of Dec. 13, 1972, that created the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa, is enacted with the installation of Bishop Quinn as Archbishop on Feb. 6, and Father Bernard Ganter ordained as Bishop of Tulsa on Feb. 7. Oklahoma City becomes the metropolitan see of the new province, with the Dioceses of Tulsa and Little Rock as suffragans.