Our Archdiocese
The Archdiocese of Hartford comprises the counties of Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven in Connecticut and includes over 400,000 Catholics. One hundred fifty seven priests minister actively within the Archdiocese, serving 115 parishes as well as other apostolates. Ninety nine priests have reached senior status, many of whom assist the active priests as they can. The priests are assisted by 95 active deacons. Seventy three deacons are of senior status. There are 36 Catholic schools in the archdiocese with an enrollment of more than 9,000 students. Established as a diocese in 1843 by Pope Gregory XVI, the local church was elevated to an Archdiocese in 1941 by Pope Pius XII.
Our Archbishop
Archbishop Coyne was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Boston on June 7, 1986. He holds a Bachelor degree in Business Management from the University of Lowell, and a Master of Divinity from St. John’s Seminary, Boston. He earned Licentiate and Doctorate degrees in Sacred Liturgy from Pontifical Athenaeum Sant’Anselmo, Rome. He was ordained an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in 2011, and appointed Bishop of Burlington in December 2014. Since his arrival in the Archdiocese of Hartford, as a Shepherd, he has visited the priests, parishes and schools, meeting thousands of the faithful members of his new flock.
Our Mother Church
St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, is the patron of the Archdiocese of Hartford. The Cathedral of Saint Joseph rises 281 feet from the sidewalk. The stainless steel cross is 25 feet high. The building is 284 feet long at the extreme end and 156 feet wide from east to west. It is constructed of reinforced concrete, sheathed with Alabama limestone. The grille work in the tower is of the same material and houses 12 carillon bells. The great windows depict the theme of “Christ the Savior” and are 67 feet high and 13 1/2 feet wide. The illumined steeple stands out on the Hartford skyline as a beacon to all to have hope in the Light of Christ.