Bishop Peter Jugis helped break ground for St. Joseph College Seminary on Sept. 15, 2018, despite a tropical storm that blew through the Carolinas that day. “We pray that God will continue to shower down His blessings upon this effort of ours,” he said with a grin during the ceremony.
CHARLOTTE — Over the past 20 years of his leadership, Bishop Peter J. Jugis has thoughtfully guided the diocese through unprecedented growth among Catholics and communities across the western half of North Carolina.
A Charlotte native, Bishop Jugis stepped up to lead the Charlotte diocese at a turbulent time. It was 2003 – a year after revelations of abuse in the Church had broken nationally, and the local demands of unprecedented growth also weighed on the diocese.
The diocese, which covers 46 counties in the western half of North Carolina, was still considered “mission territory” then, with limited resources and a small Catholic population – but an influx of Hispanic and other Catholics had already begun.
Established in 1972, the diocese had been well-positioned by its three previous bishops, who set up an administrative structure, launched new ministries, and bought up land throughout the territory. But growth in the 1990s intensified the need for new churches, more priests, and a steady hand to guide the diocese – someone who was calm in a storm, who could keep people focused on God and His promise of salvation.
Much has changed during Bishop Jugis’ tenure.
The number of Catholics in the diocese has more than doubled to an estimated 530,000 – nearly half of whom are Hispanic. Fifty-seven priests and 65 deacons have been ordained to serve here, thanks to his unwavering promotion of vocations. He has also elevated six missions or ministry centers to parishes, consecrated 22 churches and numerous parish halls, and overseen the expansion of the diocese’s school system to 20 schools and record enrollment.
The Charlotte diocese is no longer considered mission territory.
Explore some of the notable growth under Bishop Jugis during the past two decades in the story and photos below:
When you consider the fact that we're over half a million Catholics in western North Carolina, the bishop has done a tremendous job. What we're experiencing here is this growth from parish to parish and vicariate to vicariate and region to region. Places like Catholic Charities are having to step up to meet the needs of the growing community. The parishes are having to build buildings and expand churches, all to meet and accommodate the growth that we're experiencing. We have a tremendous influx of different ethnic groups coming from all around the world as we all know from Central and South America but truly from Korea and Vietnam and other nations throughout the world. To be a bishop during this time, over these past 20 years, to shepherd a church for this extraordinary moment, well let's just say it's an exciting time, and we're grateful for all that Bishop Jugis has been able to do in leading us through it.
—Father Patrick Winslow, chancellor, Diocese of Charlotte, from Bishop Jugis' 20th anniversary special section
Explore Bishop Jugis' contributions to the Diocese of Charlotte:
Bishop Jugis created six parishes for the diocese
Bishop Jugis brings celebration of the Eucharist to diocese
Bishop Jugis has fostered diversity and inclusion of all Catholics
Bishop Jugis grew ministries and services through stewardship
Diocese marks a half-century of serving faithful
Bishop Jugis led the diocese through the aftermath of abuse revelations
Bishop Jugis steered the Charlotte diocese through the COVID-19 pandemic
Bishop Jugis creates St. Joseph College Seminary, impacts vocations for decades