The Campaign for the Cathedral Center of Christ the Light

In 1989, Oakland's Saint Francis de Sales Cathedral was so damaged by the great Loma Prieta earthquake that it had to be immediately closed. Parishioners dispersed to local churches and social service programs were likewise distributed.

Since that time, the Diocese of Oakland has been without a home for its multi-facted liturgical, service and educational programs.

In the year 2000, Bishop John S. Cummins and 143 representatives of parishes and groups throughout the Diocese began an in-depth process to explore options for replacing St. Francis de Sales. The group consensus over time: Go forward and build a new Cathedral, to serve the Diocese for centuries.

The name Cathedral of Christ the Light was chosen to honor the legacy of Vatican II and its leading document, Lumen Gentium.

Two nonprofit corporations were established in July 2002. The Catholic Cathedral Corporation of the East Bay (CCCEB) was created to acquire, own, design, plan, construct, operate, and maintain a Roman Catholic cathedral within the geographic boundaries of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland.

The Christ the Light Cathedral Corporation, Inc. (CLCC) was created as the fundraising organization for the project and a long-term capital campaign began.

Bishop Allen H. Vigneron is now leading the effort to build the cathedral center with the assistance of his predecessor, Bishop Emeritus John S. Cummins, the Episcopal Vicar for the Cathedral Project.