Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
For best results, put specific keyword, title or phrase in quotes. (i.e. “Ash Wednesday”)
Happening Now
The following offers the latest information about events and activities happening in the Diocese of Little Rock.
One Church partner is St. Bartholomew
The kickoff for the 2020-2021 One Church: Unite Arkansas in Faith and Mission campaign is Sept. 26-27. This year’s partner is St. Bartholomew Church in Little Rock, a predominantly African-American parish started in 1909, that is in need of a new parish life center to house its faith formation activities and serve the neighborhood children through after-school programs. Parishioners have been meeting in the parish's old high school building, which closed in 1964. Major repairs are needed to fix the former school’s cinder-block walls and air conditioning. ... More
Live the Gospel of Life in everything you do
The Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month each October to proclaim the immeasurable value of every person from the beginning of life at fertilization to natural death. Catholics in Arkansas take part in events throughout the month, including Life Chain and 40 Days for Life, to put their faith into prayer and action. In addition, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) assists parishes, schools and other ministries in helping Catholics understand, value and become engaged with building a culture that cherishes every human life through its annual Respect Life Program, which is a year-round ... More
Deacon candidates installed as acolytes
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor installed 48 men as acolytes during a private Mass at Christ the King Church in Little Rock on Saturday, Sept. 12. These men are in formation for the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Little Rock, a process that began in 2017. The Mass was not open to the public to safeguard against COVID-19. During the Mass, Father Erik Pohlmeier, diaconate formation director, introduced each man, and then Bishop Taylor presented each new acolyte with a paten to symbolize the service the acolyte can provide during Mass. ... More
Fr. Simpson added to Clergy Disclosure List
The Diocese of Little Rock released the following statement, Sept. 1, 2020, regarding a credible allegation of sexual abuse against the late Father Edward Simpson. "On Sept. 10, 2018, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor released a statement that included names of clergy who served in Arkansas and who had been credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor. An independent review of files was then conducted, and Bishop Taylor issued an additional update on Feb. 8, 2019. The Diocese of Little Rock has long encouraged victims of sexual abuse by clergy to come forward and be heard, ... More
Mary's crown is the promise of our crown
In popular Catholic tradition, Mary's coronation is often reenacted during the month of Mary in May crownings. Typically children, usually those who recently received their first holy Communion, carry roses and place them at the feet of a statue of Mary while placing a crown of roses on top of Mary's head. There are also numerous songs, artworks and prayers depicting Mary's queenship. The feast of the queenship of Mary was established during the universal Year of Mary by Pope Pius XII in 1954. This followed his declaration that the assumption of Mary was a dogma of faith in 1950. ... More
Bishop releases pastoral changes Aug. 14
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments Aug. 14, 2020, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective Sept. 1, 2020: Rev. Martin Siebold, appointed from administrator to pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Church in Jacksonville. He remains spiritual director of the English and Spanish Cursillo in the Diocese of Little Rock; Rev. Rajasekhar Chittem, appointed from administrator to pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Booneville and St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Waldron; Rev. Francis Madanu, appointed from administrator to pastor of Immaculate ... More
Electricity will be out on campus Aug. 13
UPDATE: Entergy is now expecting the power outage to last until 5 p.m. Aug. 13. We are sorry for the inconvenience. The electricity will be out from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13 at St. John Catholic Center in Little Rock because of a scheduled outage by Entergy as part of a major project in the area. Please note that diocesan staff will not be able to answer the phone or emails while the power is out across the campus. You should be able to email a member of our staff after 5 p.m. Aug. 13. Visit our staff directory and click on the name of the person you wish to reach to send ... More
Bishop releases pastoral changes Aug. 3
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor announced the following pastoral appointments Aug. 3, 2020, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Effective Sept. 1, 2020: Rev. Keith Higginbotham, appointed pastoral administrator of St. Louis Church in Camden and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Magnolia. He remains assistant spiritual advisor for the Misioneros Vicentinos Laicos (Vincentian Lay Missionaries). He is relieved of his responsibilities as associate pastor of Church of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs; Rev. Jules Norbert “Padre Eliseo” Njopmo, appointed associate pastor of Church of St. John the Baptist ... More
