Archdiocese of Niterói
Stored in Cargo: Archdiocese of Niterói
| Diocese: Archdiocese of Niterói | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Archdiocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Niterói |
| Suffragan Dioceses: | Diocese of Campos; Diocese of Nova Friburgo; Diocese of Petrópolis |
| Country: | Brazil |
| Region: | Rio de Janeiro |
| Bishop: | José Francisco Rezende Dias |
| Website: | https://www.arquidiocesedeniteroi.org.br/ |
| Existence: | 1676– |
| Chancery Address: | R. Gavião Peixoto, 250 - Icaraí, Niterói - RJ, 24230-103, Brazil |
The Archdiocese of Niterói, a metropolitan archdiocese of the Latin Rite, is an active archdiocese in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Erected as a diocese in 1676 and elevated to archdiocesan rank in 1960, it serves as the metropolitan see for several suffragan dioceses in the region. The archdiocese maintains a significant presence in the historic area surrounding Guanabara Bay, with its mother church located in the city of Niterói.
Establishment
The Archdiocese of Niterói traces its origins to the erection of the Diocese of Niterói on 16 November 1676 by Pope Clement X to serve the growing Catholic population in the region east of Rio de Janeiro.
History
The see was established to administer the territory that had previously formed part of the Diocese of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. It remained a suffragan of the Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia until the reorganization of Brazilian ecclesiastical provinces in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The diocese was elevated to the rank of archdiocese on 6 May 1960 by Pope John XXIII.
Geography
The archdiocese covers territory in the state of Rio de Janeiro, including the city of Niterói and surrounding municipalities along Guanabara Bay.
Mother Church
The Cathedral of São João Batista in Niterói serves as the mother church of the archdiocese.
Leadership
Current Bishop
José Francisco Rezende Dias has served as Archbishop of Niterói since 2023.
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Antonio de Macedo Costa | 1877–1890 | First bishop after restoration of the hierarchy |
| Francisco de Paula e Silva | 1900–1910 | |
| Agostinho Francisco Benassi | 1910–1920 | |
| José Pereira da Silva Barros | 1920–1923 | |
| Agostinho Francisco Benassi | 1923–1935 | |
| José de Matos Pereira | 1935–1943 | |
| Carlos Alberto de Pinho | 1943–1960 | Elevated to archbishop |
| Antônio de Almeida Moraes Junior | 1960–1969 | First archbishop |
| José Vicente de Souza | 1969–1979 | |
| Carlos Alberto Etchandy Gimeno Navarro | 1979–1995 | |
| Alano Maria Pena | 1995–2003 | |
| José Francisco Rezende Dias | 2003–2023 | Transferred to archbishopric of Niterói |
Statistics
The archdiocese encompasses multiple municipalities in the state of Rio de Janeiro and serves a substantial Catholic population through numerous parishes.
Religious Communities
Various religious institutes have historically contributed to education and pastoral work within the archdiocese.
Parishes
The archdiocese is divided into several pastoral regions and deaneries.
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
Catholic schools operate under the oversight of the archdiocese and various religious congregations.
Community Outreach
Catholic Charities and social service programs address local needs in education, health, and family support.
Fun facts
Below are some fun facts about the Archdiocese of Niterói:
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