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Geography and Statistics

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The Archdiocese covers a geographic region of the Great Lakes area, which stretches from the shores of Lake Ontario north to Georgian Bay. In total, the area covers some 13,000 square kilometre​s, comprised of intensely urban and suburban regions and also small cities, towns and rural areas.

Map: Archdiocese of Toronto

The Archdiocese of Toronto includes the City of Toronto, the most populous metropolis in the country and the growing regional municipalities of Peel, York and Durham th​at surround the City. As the regional municipalities expand, the northern section of the Archdiocese, Simcoe County, is also experiencing notable suburban growth.

 

Regions and Zones

The Archdiocese of Toronto is divided into four pastoral regions comprising 14 pastoral zones. The four pastoral regions which divide the Archdiocese are the Central, Northern, Eastern and Western Regions. The zones are made up of parishes within a geographical boundary.

 

Archdiocese of Toronto

  2023*
Population - All Residents 6,517,320
Population - Catholics 1,602,370
Archbishop 1
Auxiliary Bishops 4
Diocesan Priests* 389
Religious Order Priests 371
Permanent Deacons 150
Brothers 39
Sisters 429
Parishes and Quasi-parishes 224
Missions 24
Chapels 2
Catholic School Boards 6
Catholic Elementary Schools 488
Catholic Secondary Schools 98
Catholic Institutes of Higher Education 1
   
*Total number of diocesan priests include:
 
Resident in the Archdiocese 273
Resident elsewhere in Canada 13
Resident abroad 9
Incardinated in another diocese in Canada 26
Incardinated in another diocese abroad 68
Total 389
   
Sacraments/Rites of the Catholic Church
 
Total Baptisms 11,552
Under one year of age 6,353
One to seven years of age 3,989
Over seven years 1,210
First Holy Communion 13,444
Confirmations 12,116
Marriages 1,958
Holy Orders (priesthood) 5
Holy Orders (permanent diaconate) 0**
Funerals 7,214
   
Source: Annual Parish Statistical Questionnaire

*Population data is based on Census 2021 from Statistics Canada.

**Permanent diaconate ordinations occur every other year.