While St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral undergoes a period of transition, the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania is also undergoing a major transition of its own. After much discussion, the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and the Diocese of Bethlehem have agreed to reunify. The full reunification will take place January 1, 2026, when the two will join together to become the Diocese of the Susquehanna.
St. Stephen’s is currently the cathedral for the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. The diocese spans the middle of Pennsylvania, extending from New York in the north to Maryland in the south. There are several urban centers in the southern half of the diocese, including Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster. The northern tier is predominantly small communities in rural areas. St. Stephen’s has a close relationship with the diocese, whose office is next door to the Cathedral. The Cathedral supports and hosts many diocesan activities.
The Diocese of the Susquehanna will join the 60 parishes and nearly ten thousand Episcopalians in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania’s 25 counties with the 61 parishes of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem in 14 counties. Together, the territory will cover the eastern half of Pennsylvania, but excluding the Philadelphia region.
The two dioceses will hold a joint convention in October 2025, at which final details for the new diocese are expected to be announced. The combined diocese will operate under a single, ransitional bishop while a search is underway for a permanent bishop. The current bishop of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, has announced her retirement, scheduled for fall 2027.
During the transition, the Diocese of the Susquehanna will operate with two cathedrals: the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Harrisburg. The combined organization will eventually choose the official seat of the diocese as well as the location of the cathedral. One of the two existing cathedrals will likely become a pro-cathedral, joining the two existing procathedrals operated in the northern tier of the combined territory. The Stevenson School of Ministry, currently part of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, will serve the entire combined diocese, providing an alternative to traditional seminaries while also serving as a resource for lay formation.
As we approach this milestone, leaders from both dioceses are working diligently to plan how our ministries will merge and evolve to meet the needs of our new diocese. This is bold and courageous work.
We live in hope that with God, all things are possible (Mt. 19:26). The next year-a Year of Transition – will invite us to deepen our relationships as we merge committees and ministries. It will be good and holy work that will secure the Episcopal presence in our part of Pennsylvania for generations to come.
For more information on this process of reunification, please visit https://diocesecpa.org/reunificationbetween-the-episcopal-diocese-of-bethlehem-anddiocpa/