Diocese of Frederico Westphalen

The Diocese of Frederico Westphalen, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. Established in 1956, it belongs to the Ecclesiastical Province of Passo Fundo and ministers to a largely rural Catholic population through parishes, schools, and social outreach programs. The diocese maintains its see in the city of Frederico Westphalen and continues the Latin Rite traditions of the broader Brazilian Church. Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Frederico Westphalen

Diocese: Diocese of Frederico Westphalen
Status:	Active
Rite:	Latin
Type:	Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:	Province of Passo Fundo
Metropolitan Archdiocese:	Archdiocese of Passo Fundo
Country:	Brazil
Region:	Rio Grande do Sul
Bishop:	Antônio Carlos Rossi Keller
Existence:	1956–

Establishment

The Diocese of Frederico Westphalen was erected on 22 May 1956 by Pope Pius XII to serve the growing Catholic communities in northern Rio Grande do Sul, taking territory from the Archdiocese of Porto Alegre and the Diocese of Passo Fundo.

History

The diocese developed steadily after its founding, with successive bishops overseeing the construction of parishes and educational institutions amid the agricultural expansion of the region. No major boundary changes or suppressions have occurred since its establishment.

Geography

The diocese covers territory in the northern portion of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Mother Church

The Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Frederico Westphalen serves as the mother church of the diocese.

Leadership

Current Bishop

Antônio Carlos Rossi Keller has served as bishop since 2016.

Auxiliary Bishops

No auxiliary bishops are currently assigned.

Past Bishops

Name	Tenure	Notes
João Maria Cavallarin	1956–1968	First bishop; oversaw initial organization of the diocese.
João Aloysio Hoffmann	1968–1971	Transferred to another see.
Bruno Maldaner	1971–1994	Long-serving bishop focused on pastoral expansion.
Itamar Navildo Vian	1994–1998	Transferred to another see.
Zeno Hastenteufel	1999–2007	Later transferred to the Archdiocese of Porto Alegre.
Antônio Carlos Rossi Keller	2008–present	Current bishop.

Theological and Cultural Orientation

Information on specific liturgical or social emphases cannot be confirmed from available sources.

Statistics

This cannot be confirmed.

Religious Communities

Information on specific religious communities cannot be confirmed.

Parishes

The diocese comprises multiple parishes across its territory.

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The diocese supports Catholic schools in the region.

Community Outreach

The diocese engages in standard pastoral and charitable activities typical of Brazilian dioceses.

Notable Events or Figures

• The diocese was founded during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII to address pastoral needs in expanding rural areas.

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Frederico Westphalen:

Did you know? The Diocese of Frederico Westphalen was created in 1956, the same year the city itself received official municipal status, marking a double milestone for local Catholic life.

Surprise! The cathedral dedicated to Saint Joseph stands as the spiritual heart of the diocese and hosts major feasts that draw families from surrounding agricultural communities.

Here's something cool: Early bishops traveled long distances on horseback and by early vehicles to visit remote parishes in the northern Rio Grande do Sul countryside.

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Associated saints

No saints yet.

Religious orders

No religious orderes categorized yet.

Diocesan photos

No results

External Links

• [Official diocesan website if available]