We Salute You, Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska!

If you lived in what was to become Nebraska during 1682-1776, you would have been the French Bishop of Quebec. From 1776-1781, you were part of the Bishopric of Cuba. If you were living in the Territory of Nebraska, form 1781 -1802, you were under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Cuba, who was living in New Orleans. You were then handed off to the Bishop of New Orleans until 1827, at which point you were transferred to the Bishop of St. Louis. until 1850. Then along came the Apostolic Vicariate east of the Rocky Mountains.

FINALLY, in 1887, the diocese of Lincoln is created with Bishop Bonacum in residence. 

From the time of the establishment of the Diocese, Catholics have encountered opposition. A primary example of this was the American Protective Association, or the APA, which was founded in 1887. Its members affirmed that Catholics could not be good Americans because they had to obey an Italian Pope. The epitome of their fanatical propaganda was probably reached in the accusation that Catholics were massing arms in the basement of the convent of the Ursuline Sisters in York, Nebraska.

The current bishop, Most Rev. James D. Conley, is part Wea Indian.