Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Fortaleza

The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Fortaleza (Latin: Archidioecesis Metropolitae Fortalexiensis) is an archdiocese located in the city of Fortaleza in Brazil.

Metropolitan Archdiocese of Fortaleza

Archidioecesis Metropolitae Fortalexiensis

Arquidiocese Metropolitana de Fortaleza
Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Joseph
Location
Country Brazil
Ecclesiastical provinceFortaleza
Statistics
Area14,813 km2 (5,719 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics
(as of 2006)
3,487,000
2,466,000 (70.7%)
Information
RiteLatin Rite
Established6 June 1854 (170 years ago)
CathedralCathedral of St Joseph in Fortaleza
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
Metropolitan ArchbishopGregório Leozírio Ben Lâmed da Paixão Neto
Auxiliary BishopsJúlio César Souza de Jesus
Bishops emeritusAdalberto Paulo da Silva Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus
Website
www.arquidiocesedefortaleza.org.br

History

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On June 6, 1854, it was established by Pope Pius IX, as the Diocese of Ceará from the Diocese of Olinda. Formerly a part of the Diocese of Pernambuco, the district was erected into a separate diocese, suffragan to the Archdiocese of Bahia. João Guerino Gomes was named as first bishop but did not accept the office. Father Gomes, a philosopher and orator who was well-known in his day, died in 1859. The first bishop, Luis Antonio dos Santos, founded the diocesan seminaries at Fortaleza and Crato, and, for the education of girls, the College of the Immaculate Conception, besides building the church of the Sacred Heart at Fortaleza.[1] On November 10, 1915, it was promoted as the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Fortaleza.

Special churches

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Basílica São Francisco das Chagas, Canindé

Bishops

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Bishops of Ceará
  • Luís Antônio dos Santos (28 September 1860 – 13 March 1881), appointed Archbishop of São Salvador da Bahia
  • Joaquim José Vieira (9 August 1883 – 14 September 1912)
  • Manoel da Silva Gomes (16 September 1912 – 10 November 1915)
Metropolitan Archbishops of Fortaleza

Coadjutor bishop

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Auxiliary bishops

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Other priests of this diocese who became bishops

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Suffragan dioceses

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References

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  1. ^ Studart, Guilherme (1909). "Diocese of Fortaleza" . Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6.

Sources

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3°43′29″S 38°31′28″W / 3.7247°S 38.5244°W / -3.7247; -38.5244