Current Bishops of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
Most Reverend
Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
Archbishop of Atlanta
(2020-Present)
Most Reverend
Joel M. Konzen S.M.
Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
(2018-Present)
Most Reverend
Bernard E. Shlesinger III
Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
(2017-Present)
Most Reverend
John Nhàn Trần
Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
(2023 –Present)
Previous Bishops of Atlanta
Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, Sixth Archbishop of Atlanta (2005-2019)
Wilton D. Gregory was named the sixth Archbishop of Atlanta in Dec. 2004. He was installed in January 2005.
Under his leadership, the Archdiocese of Atlanta grew to approximately 1.2 million Catholics. He established 12 parishes and 7 missions, expanded the Office of Intercultural Ministries to meet the diverse needs of the diocese’s growing Catholic community and participated in numerous local and national ecumenical and inter-religious initiatives to improve our world.
As the leader for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) during the sex abuse crisis, he implemented the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
He served the Archdiocese of Atlanta faithfully until he was installed as the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington in 2019. He is the first African American cardinal of the Catholic Church.
Auxiliary Bishop Luis R. Zarama, Auxiliary Bishop (2009-2017)
Bishop Zarama was ordained to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Atlanta on Nov. 27, 1993. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Atlanta.
Bishop Zarama was the first Hispanic priest to be named pastor of St. Mark Church in Clarksville, GA and St. Helena Mission in Clayton, GA.
He was later named vicar general of the Atlanta Archdiocese in April 2006. About a year later, he was named Chaplain of His Holiness with the title of monsignor by Pope Benedict XVI.
On Sept. 29, 2009, he was ordained auxiliary bishop of Atlanta. He served our local church faithfully until he was installed as bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh in 2017.
Auxiliary Bishop David P. Talley, Auxiliary Bishop (2013-2016)
A native of Columbus, GA, Bishop David Talley was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Atlanta on June 3, 1989.
He served at many parishes throughout the archdiocese and was a member of many advisory boards and departments, including the director of vocations, chancellor of the archdiocese and chaplain to the disabilities ministry. He is the first native-born Georgian to serve as a bishop in the archdiocese.
On Dec. 12, 2012, he was ordained an auxiliary bishop of Atlanta. He served our local church faithfully until he was installed as coadjutor bishop of Alexandria in Louisiana in November 2016.
Most Rev. John F. Donoghue, Fifth Archbishop of Atlanta (1993-2004)
John Donoghue was installed as the fifth Archbishop of Atlanta in 1993. Under his leadership, he made the center of his pastoral work a renewing of understanding and devotion to the Eucharist as the real presence of Christ.
He began what is now known as the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Eucharistic Congress.
He served our local church faithfully until his retirement in December 2004. In November 2011, Archbishop-Emeritus Donoghue died at the age of 83.
Most Rev. James P. Lyke, Fourth Archbishop of Atlanta (1991-1992)
On June 24, 1991, the Most Reverend James P. Lyke was installed as the fourth Archbishop of Atlanta. He was the second African American archbishop in history.
The Lyke House, a Catholic Newman Center serving students in the Atlanta University Center, was named in his honor. The Lyke Conference is also named in his honor, which teaches liturgical practices within the Black Catholic community.
He faithfully served our local church before dying in 1992. At the time of his death, Archbishop Lyke was the highest-ranking African American Catholic clergyman in the nation.
Most Rev. Eugene A. Marino S.S.J., Third Archbishop of Atlanta (1988-1990)
Eugene Marino was installed as the third Archbishop of Atlanta on May 5, 1988. He was the first African American to be named an archbishop in the United States.
He served our local church until his resignation on July 10, 1990. He died in New York in 2000 at the age of 66.
Most Rev. Thomas A. Donnellan, Second Archbishop of Atlanta (1968-1987)
Thomas Donnellan was appointed the second Archbishop of Atlanta on May 24, 1968, and was installed on July 16, 1968.
Under his leadership, the Catholic population of the Atlanta Archdiocese grew from 50,000 in 1968 to 175,000 by the end of his tenure. He also established 32 parishes.
He served our local church until his death on October 15, 1987.
Most Rev. Joseph L. Bernadin, First Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta (1966-1968)
Joseph Bernadin became the first auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in 1966. He was the youngest bishop in America, at 38 years old.
During his tenure, he was the rector of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta.
He served our local church until his resignation in 1968. He died in Chicago in November 1996 at the age of 68.
Most Rev. Paul J. Hallinan, First Archbishop of Atlanta (1962-1968)
On February 21, 1962, the Diocese of Atlanta was elevated to an archdiocese. Paul Hallinan was installed as the first archbishop of Atlanta on March 29, 1962.
He is best remembered for his dedication to social justice causes and involvement in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. He was also deeply involved in the renewal of the Catholic Church, especial in worship, during and following the Second Vatican Council.
He served our local church until his death on March 27, 1968.
Most Rev. Francis E. Hyland, First Bishop of Atlanta (1956-1962)
Francis Hyland was the first bishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. He was installed on Nov. 8, 1956.
Previously, he served as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta from 1949-1956.
He served our local church until his resignation in 1962 due to ill health. He died in Philadelphia on Jan. 31, 1968, at age 66.
