The Diocese of Tyler includes 33 counties and 23,443 square miles of northeast Texas. The territory is divided into 51 parish ... es, 19 missions and three pastoral centers. The total population of the territory is 1.5 million, of which approximately 130,000 are Catholic. As of 2019, 76 priests are in active ministry in the diocese with another 10 serving outside the diocese and 13 retired. There are also 100 permanent deacons in the diocese. Fourteen men are studying for the priesthood for the diocese. Numerous Catholic hospitals and eight centers for social services are located within the diocese, along with five Catholic schools. Bishop Joseph E. Strickland, the fourth Bishop of Tyler, has served the diocese since 2012. read more