Kearney, Diocese of (KEARNEYIENSIS), Nebraska. By Decree of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation of March 8, 1912, Pius X divided into two parts the territory of the Diocese of Omaha, erecting the western part into a new and distinct diocese with its see at Kearney. The first Bishop is Right Rev. James Albert Duffy, ordained, May 27, 1893, appointed to the see, January 25, 1913. He resides at Kearney. The diocese comprises an area of 38,000 square miles, and includes the following counties: Keyapaha, Rock, Garfield, Valley, Sherman, Buffalo, Cheyenne, Kimball, Banner, Scotts, Bluffs, Sioux, Dawes, Box Butte, Morrill, Garden, Sheridan, Cherry, Grant, Hooker, Thomas McPherson, Logan, Custer, Blane, Loup, Brown, and part of the counties of Dawson, Lincoln, Keith, and Deuel. The new diocese was made suffragan to Dubuque. The Catholic population is about 15,200. There are 58 churches, 21 parishes, 35 missions, 34 stations (without churches), 1 academy, and 3 parochial schools with over 680 pupils. The Sisters of St. Francis have schools at Ashton and Alliance, and an hospital at Affiance. (See Nebraska; Diocese of Omaha).
MOIRA K. COYLE