Bishop Konderla introduces new vicariate structure for the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma

In a Feb. 5 letter to his brother priests, Bishop David Konderla introduced a new vicariate structure for the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. A vicariate is a group of parishes within the Diocese that are defined by geographic region for the purposes of support and administration.

Bishop Konderla outlined five purposes for organizing the Diocese through these vicariates. First, he hopes that this structure will offer growth in fraternity and support among the priests. Second, Bishop Konderla believes that regular attendance at these meetings will give the priests an opportunity to invest in each other and see how one another is doing personally. Third, the vicariate meetings will give priests a way to communicate more effectively and collaborate with each other on such things as youth ministry, catechesis, best practices, opportunities and challenges in ministry, organization of penance services, and many other pastoral tasks and initiatives. Fourth, the vicariates will provide Bishop Konderla the opportunity to interact personally with the priests and parishes, especially in the rural areas, as he will regularly attend the various meetings. Finally, the vicariates will offer other parish groups such as deacons, youth ministry volunteers, catechists, parish administrative staff, etc., a natural structure to foster their collaboration and support. 

There will be seven or more priests in each vicariate. When possible, Bishop Konderla organized the vicariates to offer a good mix of rural and metropolitan parishes to further establish unity in our geographically expansive and culturally diverse Diocese. Each vicariate will have a priest serve as the Vicar Forane to foster a spirit of fraternity among the priests, develop regional cooperation, and coordinate with the various ministries at the Chancery for the good of the Church in Eastern Oklahoma. 

Detailed maps of all the new vicariates are available in PDF format below:

Diocesan Vicariates

Northern Vicariate

Southern Vicariate

Eastern Vicariate

Western Vicariate

Tulsa North Base

Tulsa South Base

Vicariate Parish List