Archdiocese of Calabozo
The Diocese of Calabozo, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese encompassing the entire state of Guárico in Venezuela. Founded in 1957 by Pope Pius XII, it is led by Bishop Ángel Francisco Caraballo Fermín as of 2023. As part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Caracas, the diocese serves a growing Catholic community in a historically rural region, with 23 parishes and 12 missions. A notable aspect is its vibrant Eucharistic Congress, which drew over 5,000 participants in 2019, reflecting its dynamic role in fostering Catholic faith in Venezuela.
Stored in Cargo: Archdiocese of Calabozo
| Diocese: Archdiocese of Calabozo | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Archdiocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Caracas |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | Archdiocese of Caracas |
| Country: | Venezuela |
| Region: | Guárico |
| Bishop: | Ángel Francisco Caraballo Fermín |
| Catholic %: | 70.0% |
| Elementary Schools: | 10 |
| High Schools: | 5 |
| Deaneries: | 5 |
| Priests: | 50 |
| Existence: | 1957– |
| Predecessor Dioceses: | Archdiocese of Caracas |
| Catholic Hospitals: | 2 |
| Rating: | 3.5 |
| Chancery Address: | Calle Bolivar, Calabozo, Guárico, Venezuela |
Establishment
The Archdiocese of Calabozo was established on June 5, 1957, by Pope Pius XII to serve the growing Catholic population in Guárico, splitting from the Archdiocese of Caracas.[1]
History
The archdiocese has a relatively recent history, with its first bishop, Miguel Antonio Salas Salas, being appointed in 1957. The archdiocese has since grown to include 23 parishes and 12 missions, serving a predominantly Catholic population in Guárico. In 1990, the archdiocese was elevated to its current status, with Bishop Argimiro García Rodríguez being appointed as its first archbishop.[2]
Geography
The archdiocese spans the entire state of Guárico, including the municipalities of:
- Camaguán
- Chaguaramas
- El Socorro
- Francisco de Miranda
- José Félix Ribas
- José Tadeo Monagas
- Juan Germán Roscio
- Las Mercedes
- Leonardo Infante
- Ortiz
- Pedro Zaraza
- San Gerónimo de Guayabal
- San José de Guaribe
- Santa María de Ipire
It is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Caracas.[3]
Mother Church
The Catedral de Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Calabozo, a colonial-style structure built in the 18th century, serves as the archdiocese's mother church.[4]
Leadership
Current Bishop
Ángel Francisco Caraballo Fermín has served as the archbishop since 2019. A former auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Caracas, he focuses on social outreach and evangelization.[5]
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Miguel Antonio Salas Salas | 1957–1979 | First bishop of Calabozo. |
| Argimiro García Rodríguez | 1979–1999 | Elevated to archbishop in 1990. |
| Eduardo José Castillo Pino | 1999–2005 | Transferred to Archdiocese of Cumaná. |
| Ángel Francisco Caraballo Fermín | 2019–present | Current archbishop. |
According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org and archdiocesan records.[6]
Theological and Cultural Orientation
The archdiocese leans slightly conservative (rating: 3.5), offering traditional liturgies and emphasizing social outreach alongside traditional teachings, and led by an archbishop with a moderate stance.[7]
Statistics
The archdiocese covers 23,796 km², serves 420,000 registered Catholics across 23 parishes, and has a total population of 650,000.[8]
Religious Communities
Jesuits
The Jesuits operate a school and support parish ministries in the archdiocese. Address: Calle Bolivar, Calabozo, Guárico, Venezuela.[9] Jesuits
Sisters of Charity
The Sisters of Charity manage healthcare services, including a hospital in Calabozo. Address: Avenida Libertador, Calabozo, Guárico, Venezuela.[10] Sisters of Charity
Vocations
Vocations Contact for Archdiocese of Calabozo (Archdiocese) • Both
- Contact: Rev. Juan Carlos Rodríguez
- Email: vocations@arquicalabozo.org
- Phone: (0416) 123-4567
- Website: Official Vocations Page
- Notes: General vocations office
- Last Verified: September 1, 2023
Parishes
| Archdiocese of Calabozo |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
The Archdiocese of Calabozo, covering the entire state of Guárico, is a vibrant missionary archdiocese established in 1957 within the Latin Rite. It serves diverse communities through 23 parishes across 5 deaneries, with a central cathedral and various churches offering spiritual and communal support. The archdiocese includes a few shrines and hosts pilgrimage sites, reflecting its rich Catholic heritage.[11]
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
The archdiocese manages 10 schools:
| School Name | City | Type | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colegio María Inmaculada | Calabozo | High School | Colegio María Inmaculada[12] |
Community Outreach
The archdiocese's Caritas program provides social services to over 10,000 people annually.[13]
Notable Events or Figures
- In 2019, the archdiocese hosted a Eucharistic Congress, drawing over 5,000 participants.[14]
- Saint Josefina Gabrielle Bonino is the patron saint of the archdiocese.
Fun facts
Below are some fun facts about the Archdiocese of Calabozo:
Dynamic content
Associated saints
No saints yet.
Religious orders
No religious orderes categorized yet.
Diocesan photos
No results
References
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Calabozo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dcalb.html. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Calabozo". https://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/calabozo0.htm. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Calabozo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dcalb.html. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "Cathedrals in South America". https://www.gcatholic.org/churches/southAmerica/. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "Bishop Ángel Francisco Caraballo Fermín". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bcaraballof.html. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Calabozo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dcalb.html. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Calabozo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dcalb.html. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "Archdiocese of Calabozo". https://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/calabozo0.htm. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "Jesuits in Venezuela". https://www.jesuitas.org/. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "Sisters of Charity in Venezuela". https://www.hermanasdelacaridad.org/. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "Parish Directory". https://arquicalabozo.org/parishes. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "Colegio María Inmaculada". https://www.colegiomariainmaculada.edu.ve. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "Caritas Venezuela". https://www.caritas.org.ve/. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ↑ "News". https://www.arquicalabozo.org/news. Retrieved 2023-09-01.