Diocese of Bacabal

Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Bacabal

Diocese: Diocese of Bacabal
Status:	Active
Rite:	Latin
Type:	Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:	Province of São Luís do Maranhão
Metropolitan Archdiocese:	Archdiocese of São Luís do Maranhão
Country:	Brazil
Region:	Maranhão
Bishop:	Armando Martín Gutiérrez
Website:	https://diocesedebacabal.blogspot.com/
Existence:	1968–
Chancery Address:	Rua Teixeira Mendes 45, C.P. 01, 65700-000 Bacabal, MA, Brazil

The Diocese of Bacabal, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese located in the state of Maranhão in Brazil. Established in 1968, it forms part of the Ecclesiastical Province of São Luís do Maranhão and ministers to a predominantly rural Catholic population. The diocese is currently led by Bishop Armando Martín Gutiérrez.

Establishment

The Diocese of Bacabal was erected on 22 June 1968 by Pope Paul VI from territory previously belonging to the Archdiocese of São Luís do Maranhão.

History

The diocese was created to serve the growing Catholic communities in the interior of Maranhão. Its territory has remained stable since foundation, with pastoral focus on rural evangelization and formation of local clergy.

Geography

The diocese covers parts of central Maranhão, including the municipalities of Bacabal, Bom Lugar, and surrounding areas within the Ecclesiastical Province of São Luís do Maranhão.

Mother Church

The Cathedral of Saint Anthony in Bacabal serves as the mother church of the diocese.

Leadership

Current Bishop

Armando Martín Gutiérrez has served as bishop since 2020.

Past Bishops

Name	Tenure	Notes
Iven Ângelo Balen	1968–1975	First Bishop of Bacabal; transferred to Diocese of Lorena.
Pascal Rubini	1975–1981	Second bishop; resigned.
Henrique Schwedersky	1982–1989	Third bishop; transferred.
Adalberto Paulo da Silva	1990–1997	Later auxiliary bishop in Fortaleza.
José Visnadi	1998–2005	Resigned.
Lucio Angelo Renna	2006–2016	Resigned.
Armando Martín Gutiérrez	2020–present	Current Bishop.

Parishes

The diocese comprises numerous parishes organized across its territory in central Maranhão.

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Associated saints

No saints yet.

Religious orders

No religious orderes categorized yet.

Diocesan photos

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Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Bacabal:

Did you know? The Diocese of Bacabal was established in 1968 by Pope Paul VI to better serve the growing rural Catholic communities in central Maranhão.

Surprise! Its first bishop, Iven Ângelo Balen, oversaw the initial organization of parishes and clergy formation in a region previously part of the Archdiocese of São Luís do Maranhão.

Here's something cool: The Cathedral of Saint Anthony stands as the spiritual center of Bacabal, hosting major diocesan celebrations and serving as a focal point for local devotion.

Wow moment: Successive bishops have emphasized rural evangelization, helping establish missions and schools that continue to support faith formation across the diocese's municipalities.