George Leo Thomas is America's Newest Archbishop

In 2018, when Archbishop George Leo Thomas was appointed to lead the Church in Las Vegas, he found himself reflecting on the uniqueness of his new assignment. Having spent 14 years in Montana's Rocky Mountains and nearly 30 years in Seattle, he jokingly remarked on his transition from rain to snow to sun. With only two acquaintances in his new diocese, his cousin reassured him that while "everyone knows Vegas, fewer people know Las Vegas."

Archbishop George Leo Thomas.

Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
6/28/2023 (1 year ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: George Leo Thomas, Archbishop, Diocese,

Over the course of five years, Archbishop Thomas has become intimately acquainted with Las Vegas and has discovered that the faithfulness of the city's Catholics is, in part, a response to the prevailing "carnality of the 'Strip.'" Drawing inspiration from St. Paul's words, he believes that where sin is present, grace abounds.

The recent elevation of Las Vegas to a metropolitan archdiocese by Pope Francis has further solidified Archbishop Thomas's role as a shepherd. As a new metropolitan archbishop, he will receive the pallium, a white woolen vestment adorned with six black silk crosses, from the pope during a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. Approximately 60 Las Vegas Catholics, along with family members and pilgrims, will be in attendance. Notably, Thomas is the sole new metropolitan archbishop from the United States among the roughly 30 others appointed in the past year.

The Archdiocese of Las Vegas is one of the youngest and fastest-growing dioceses in the United States. With over 620,000 Catholics and a significant number of undocumented immigrants, the archdiocese experiences exponential growth driven by factors such as a flourishing job market, a pursuit of better living conditions, and immigration. To accommodate the expanding population, the archdiocese is renovating several buildings, preparing to open a new parish, and has acquired eight acres of land for another parish. The diversity within the archdiocese is reflected in its 58 language groups.

While the growth is a cause for celebration, it also presents challenges, particularly in the form of a shortage of priests, especially Spanish-speaking ones. Despite assistance from missionary priests, the archdiocese has only 34 priests to serve its extensive Catholic community. However, there is hope on the horizon, as the number of diocesan seminarians has increased from four to twelve since Archbishop Thomas's arrival. The emphasis on lay leadership, collegiality, and the active involvement of families within parishes contributes to the thriving faith community in Las Vegas.

Archbishop Thomas, along with his auxiliary bishop, Gregory Gordon, attributes the success of the faith community in Las Vegas to the empowerment of the laity and the strong relationship between laypeople and priests. The archbishop emphasizes the welcoming nature of parishes and the encouragement for individuals to share their gifts. He believes that the spirit of Vatican II is alive and well in Las Vegas.

Archbishop Thomas's journey from the mountains of Montana to the bustling desert city of Las Vegas has provided him with a broader perspective and deepened his understanding of the diverse Catholic community he serves. With unwavering faith and a commitment to inclusivity, he continues to lead the Archdiocese of Las Vegas towards spiritual growth and transformation.