The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington (Latin: Dioecesis Lexingtonensis) is a Roman Catholic diocese in Kentucky founded on January 14, 1988. As of 2004, the diocese covered approximately 16,423 Square Miles (42,520 Square Kilometers), and included nearly 46,000 Catholics (about 3.1% of the total population) in its 64 parishes. At that time, 67 diocesan and religious priests, 33 permanent deacons, 30 male religious, and 138 female religious served in the diocese. The Diocese of Lexington provides education for approximately 4300 students in its fifteen elementary and two high schools located throughout the diocese, and maintains Newman Centers at eight of Kentucky's colleges and universities.