 | Who We Are
The early settlers in our diocesan area came from a rich array of ethnic backgrounds. Beginning in colonial days, people from all parts of Europe migrated to this region. While Scotch Presbyterians provided a strong influence, and still do, waves of immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia--all Catholics--settled here. At the turn of the century, many Italians came to this area of Pennsylvania. Even today, an estimated half of the ethnic composition of the Diocese is Italian. Next are the Irish and Eastern Europeans, mostly Catholic and representing all of the middle European countries. The Diocese's population, about 200,000 in 1997, reflects this rich ethnic heritage. In recent years, the region's large blue-collar base has been joined by a growing number of professional and white collar workers, adding to the diverse human texture of the Diocese of Greensburg. |