TULSA, Okla. — The Diocese of Tulsa celebrated its 50th anniversary today.

50 years ago, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa split into two, creating the Diocese of Tulsa, according to Bishop David Konderla.

Konderla said the anniversary was an opportunity to look forward to the future of the Diocese of Tulsa.

“Well all anniversaries are opportunities to reflect on the gifts on the past but primary to look forward to the future, and so today gives us an opportunity as a faith community to look forward to what’s coming for the rest of the life of the Diocese of Tulsa,” he said.

As for the future, the mission of the Diocese will remain the same.

“The Diocese will continue to pursue the mission of the Catholic Church, which to announce to the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world,” Konderla said.

The first two events were held on Monday and Tuesday, with Tuesday featuring a special mass to celebrate the anniversary. Konderla said all parishes within the Diocese were given a Papal blessing on parchment from the Vatican as a way to commemorate the event.

Mayor G.T. Bynum was also at Tuesday’s mass, proclaiming the day to be “Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma Day.”

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