The diocese

Find out more about how the diocese works

Come and see

Welcome to the Diocese of Plymouth – the Catholic Church in the South West of England – founded in 1851 and comprising the original counties of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. People of all backgrounds and origins fill the churches, schools, convents and chapels that have been built over the years. Countless people have been baptised, married and have celebrated their faith as part of the church here, and still, year by year, more join in the life of this Diocese. They do this because it gives meaning and guidance in their lives and helps them be a positive presence in the local community. This part of the country is primarily rural with many market towns and a real sense of local identity, but the beautiful countryside and coast attracts great numbers of visitors, many of whom share in the faith of the local Catholic communities. Each year people encounter these communities of faith and want to belong by joining the Catholic Church. The invitation is always the same; it is the one that Jesus made: “Come and See”.

Perhaps you are coming to the West Country on a visit, or you want to find your local church, perhaps you have been thinking about the Catholic Church and what it believes, perhaps you have friends or colleagues who are Catholics and you are interested in how they see life, or perhaps you are just curious. We hope what you find here will be helpful, but above all we hope that you may feel called to “Come and See”.

Our Catholic Schools

Plymouth CAST is a multi-academy trust of 36 Catholic schools across the South West of England comprising 35 schools and a nursery.  We strive to deliver outstanding education with Catholic values at the heart of everything we do.