About

The Diocese of Portland exists to share the light of the Gospel, draw hearts closer to Jesus Christ, and help build the Kingdom of God in a place unlike any other—Maine. From the rugged coastline of the Atlantic to its vast forests, tranquil lakes, and rolling mountains, Maine offers a landscape of breathtaking beauty and quiet strength. It is here, among these natural wonders, that the Church seeks to nurture faith and hope.

Covering the entire state of Maine, the Diocese of Portland is part of the Province of Boston and carries a rich history of faith. Established by Pope Pius IX on July 29, 1853, the diocese originally included both Maine and New Hampshire before becoming solely Maine in 1884. Today, Bishop James Ruggieri serves as the 13th Bishop of Portland, guiding a community rooted in tradition yet alive with mission.

Spanning 33,215 square miles, the diocese is home to approximately 166,000 Catholics who live and worship in harmony with Maine’s distinctive character—a place where ocean meets wilderness and seasons paint the land with beauty. The diocese includes 49 parishes, Catholic schools, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, and ministries that extend care and compassion through housing, rehabilitation, childcare, and social services. Catholic Charities Maine, the state’s largest social service agency, stands as a beacon of hope, serving those in need across the state.

The Diocese of Portland strives to be a living witness to Christ’s love, building a community of faith as enduring and inspiring as the landscape of Maine itself.

People in Maine | Religious Landscape Study (RLS) | Pew Research Center

The diocesan seal features a blue field scattered with gold pinecones, symbolizing Maine as the “Pine Tree State.” The design adapts the French royal coat of arms, replacing the fleur-de-lis with pinecones in recognition of Maine’s early French settlement under Pierre du Guast, Sieur de Monts, who established a colony on St. Croix Island in 1604. This coat of arms has represented the Diocese of Portland since its founding in 1853.