The Cathedral Ministry Conference is a biennial meeting of those involved in ministry in Cathedrals and Basilicas throughout North America. Over the years, these meetings have allowed cathedral pastors/rectors and lay ministers to meet, interact, pray, learn, and be renewed in ministry together. The Conference began as the vision of five Cathedral pastors in the Midwest who were looking for a venue to explore the unique challenges of Cathedral ministry. Not finding anything, they decided to create the Cathedral Ministry Conference and hosted the first gathering in January, 1998, in Orlando, Florida. At that first meeting, only Cathedral pastors/rectors were in attendance, but it quickly became obvious that lay ministers should be included and
they have been ever since.

The Cathedral Ministry Conference typically offers three first-rate keynote presentations – almost always from nationally and even internationally acclaimed speakers – that are of interest to anyone engaged in cathedral ministry. In addition, workshops aimed at a large variety of more particular interests and concerns are offered. The Conference also provides time for networking and socializing with other cathedral ministers from around the country. Given the unique nature of ministry at a cathedral, participants find this to be a welcome opportunity for sharing ideas with counterparts from cathedrals large and small.

The Conference is planned and implemented by the host Cathedral under the direction of the Cathedral Ministry Conference Governing Board, which consists of Cathedral rectors/pastors and lay staff from around the country.

Past Conferences

The 2024 Conference in Orlando, Florida will be the thirteenth biennial conference. Past conferences have been held:

2022 – Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago

2019 – St. James Cathedral, Seattle

2017 – Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe

2015 – Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis

2013 – Cathedral of the Madeleine, Salt Lake City

2010 – Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee

2008 – Cathedral of St. Augustine, St.Augustine, Florida

2006 – St. James Cathedral, Seattle

2004 – Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles

2022 – St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans

2000 – Cathedral of San Fernando, San Antonio

1998 – St. James Cathedral, Orlando