Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is a nonprofit Catholic ecclesiastical organization serving 1.3 million Catholics across San Diego and Imperial counties through 96 parishes, 13 missions, and 47 Catholic schools, supported by clergy, religious orders, Catholic Charities, and a diocesan foundation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1936
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego does
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is a California-incorporated nonprofit religious organization serving the Catholic faithful across San Diego and Imperial counties. Established in 1936 (with roots extending to 1769 via Mission San Diego de Alcalá, the first California mission), the Diocese operates within the canonical governance of the Holy See and currently leads more than 1.3 million Catholics. Its service portfolio spans 96 parishes, 13 missions, 40 elementary schools, 7 high schools, two historic California missions (San Diego de Alcalá and San Luis Rey de Francia), a cemetery (Holy Cross), Catholic Charities, and a community foundation. The Diocese is staffed by 208 active priests, 110 permanent deacons, 138 religious sisters, and 31 religious brothers, supported by a centralized Diocesan Pastoral Center in San Diego.
The Diocese's "products" are pastoral and sacramental services rather than commercial offerings. Core programmatic lines include weekly Mass and sacraments, Online Mass streaming, the Parish Finder directory, faith formation and youth ministry, marriage preparation, the Child and Youth Protection program, marriage and family life ministries, immigration services through Catholic Charities, and the diocesan newspaper The Southern Cross (English and Spanish). Education services span a K–12 Catholic school system overseen by a superintendent's office. Revenue is generated through a diversified base of tithes and offerings, the Annual Catholic Appeal, school tuition, special collections (Peter's Pence, Seminary, Retirement Fund for Religious, Lenten, Gaza humanitarian), planned giving (stock and IRA contributions), and Catholic Charities program funding. Distribution is delivered exclusively through physical parish/mission sites and schools within the diocese's 8,852-square-mile territory, supplemented by the website, social media channels, email communications, and parish bulletins.
In June 2024, the Diocese filed for Chapter 11 Reorganization in response to clergy abuse settlement liabilities, an ongoing court-supervised restructuring. Leadership transitioned in 2025 with the elevation of Cardinal Robert McElroy to Archbishop of Washington and the appointment of Bishop Michael M. Pham — the nation's first Vietnamese American diocesan bishop — installed July 17, 2025. Strategic initiatives underway include the Synod 2024 process, multicultural ministry expansion, immigration advocacy, and the Jubilee Year of St. Francis (2026–2027) pilgrimage program.
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
- Legal name
- The Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego
- Website
- https://sdcatholic.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1936
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is a nonprofit Catholic ecclesiastical organization serving 1.3 million Catholics across San Diego and Imperial counties through 96 parishes, 13 missions, and 47 Catholic schools, supported by clergy, religious orders, Catholic Charities, and a diocesan foundation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Religious Services
- NAICS
- Religious Organizations (81311), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA), Missionary Training Colleges & Schools (EDAHAKAF), Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)
Keywords
Where Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tithes and Offerings: Parishioners contribute through weekly tithes, offerings, and regular donations to support diocesan operations, parish ministries, and charitable works.
- Annual Catholic Appeal: Annual fundraising campaign supporting diocesan ministries, Catholic schools, and charitable programs across the region.
- Special Collections: Periodic collections for specific causes including Peter's Pence, Seminary Gift Fund, Retirement Fund for Religious, Lenten Collection, and Gaza Humanitarian Relief.
- Stock Donations and IRA Charitable Contributions: Planned giving options including stock donations and IRA charitable contributions for long-term donor support.
- School Tuition: Tuition fees from 40 elementary schools and 7 high schools serving students in the diocese.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego delivers Catholic religious services, sacramental preparation, faith formation, K-12 Catholic education, and social services across San Diego and Imperial counties. It operates 96 parishes, 13 missions, 40 elementary schools, and 7 high schools serving approximately 1.3 million Catholics, and coordinates ministries including Marriage Preparation, Child and Youth Protection, immigrant/refugee services through Catholic Charities, vocations, and stewardship/giving programs.
Product overview
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego operates as a religious institution providing spiritual services and community programs across San Diego and Imperial counties. The diocese functions as a unified service organization rather than a technology product company, offering core ministry services including 96 parishes and 13 missions, 40 elementary and 7 high schools, publications (The Southern Cross), digital services (Online Mass, Parish Finder), and various sacramental and ministry programs including Child and Youth Protection, Marriage Preparation, and immigrant services. The diocese also manages events such as the annual Grandparents' Day Retreat and Season of Creation Mass, supported by stewardship and communications offices.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Parish Finder
- Online Mass
Quantifiable outcome
- Serves 1.3 million Catholics across 96 parishes
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Catholic Charities Diocese of San DiegocoreKey social service agency of the diocese providing immigration services, humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers, refugee services, emergency food distribution, and community support programs. Operates independently under diocesan umbrella.
- Catholic Community Foundation of San DiegocoreDiocesan foundation managing charitable funds, planned giving, and endowment services supporting Catholic organizations and ministries in the region.
- California Catholic ConferencecorePublic policy voice for California's Catholic bishops on state legislative and regulatory issues affecting Catholic communities.
- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)coreNational bishops' conference providing guidance on national policy, liturgical standards, and Church teaching. Diocese participates in national initiatives including the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
- Catholic Relief ServicesminorInternational Catholic humanitarian agency. Diocese participates inCRS Rice Bowl and other international relief programs.
- Holy Cross Cemetery and MausoleumminorOnly Catholic Diocesan cemetery serving San Diego County, providing Catholic burial services as part of the Church's ministry.
- Catholic Mutual GroupminorCatholic insurance provider offering liability, property, and workers compensation coverage to parishes and schools.
- Franciscan School of TheologyminorGraduate theological school located near Mission San Diego de Alcalá, forming future priests and lay ministers.
- University of San DiegominorCatholic university in the diocese serving higher education with Catholic identity.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Diocese of San Jose: Northern California Catholic diocese operating parishes, schools, and social services with a similar California-specific mix of multicultural communities and immigration-related ministry.
- Diocese of Sacramento: California Catholic diocese with parallel parish, school, and Catholic Charities structure; similar governance under the California Catholic Conference and USCCB frameworks.
- Archdiocese of Los Angeles: Largest Catholic archdiocese in the US, also in California and also in Chapter 11 bankruptcy for clergy abuse claims. Closest large-scale operational and structural peer, with comparable schools, parishes, and Catholic Charities operations.
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange: Adjacent Catholic diocese covering Orange County, California. Operates a comparable parish-and-school network with similar governance structure, Catholic Charities affiliate, and California diocesan operating model.
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino: Created in 1978 when its territory was split from the Diocese of San Diego. Operates Riverside and San Bernardino counties with a similar parish and school model, making it a direct historical and operational peer.
Emerging players
- Franciscan School of Theology: Graduate theological school located near Mission San Diego de Alcalá. Functions as a formation pipeline for the Diocese's clergy and lay ministers, making it a niche ministry-and-education peer.
Broad incumbents
- Catholic Charities USA: National umbrella for diocesan Catholic Charities agencies. The Diocese of San Diego's Catholic Charities is a member agency, making this the broad governing and network peer for social-service delivery.
- Catholic Relief Services: International Catholic humanitarian agency partner of the Diocese. Operates comparable faith-based humanitarian and development programming, with overlap in donor fundraising and global parish engagement.
- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): National coordinating body for US Catholic dioceses. The Diocese of San Diego participates in its liturgical, policy, and child-protection frameworks, making USCCB the natural broad-incumbent peer.
Regional players
- YMCA of San Diego County: Faith-rooted nonprofit serving the same San Diego County geography with comparable community programs, youth and family services, and donor-supported operating model. Useful peer for benchmarking regional faith-based nonprofit scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego social profiles
Digital presenceRoman Catholic Diocese of San Diego financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
What does Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego do?
The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego delivers Catholic religious services, sacramental preparation, faith formation, K-12 Catholic education, and social services across San Diego and Imperial counties. It operates 96 parishes, 13 missions, 40 elementary schools, and 7 high schools serving approximately 1.3 million Catholics, and coordinates ministries including Marriage Preparation, Child and Youth Protection, immigrant/refugee services through Catholic Charities, vocations, and stewardship/giving programs.
Is Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego a public or private company?
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego founded?
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego was founded in 1936. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego based?
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Tithes and Offerings are the primary driver. The others are annual Catholic Appeal, special Collections, stock Donations and IRA Charitable Contributions and school Tuition.
Who are Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Diocese of San Jose, Diocese of Sacramento, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange and Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino. Franciscan School of Theology is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services and U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). YMCA of San Diego County is listed as a regional player.
Does Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego have an API?
No public API is recorded for Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego.
What industry is Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego in?
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego's product category is Religious Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAJAB, Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences), with a secondary code of BPAGAJAA, Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues). Its NAICS code is 81311 and its SIC code is 8200.