Diocese of San Cristóbal de Venezuela

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The Diocese of San Cristóbal de Venezuela, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese encompassing the state of Táchira in Venezuela. Founded in 1922 by Pope Pius XI, it is led by Bishop Mario del Valle Moronta Rodríguez as of 2023. As part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Mérida, the diocese serves a diverse Catholic community in a region known for its cultural heritage and natural beauty, with 34 parishes and 2 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 the Andean region.

Stored in Cargo: Diocese of San Cristóbal de Venezuela

Diocese: Diocese of San Cristóbal de Venezuela
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of Mérida
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Mérida
Country:Venezuela
Region:Táchira
Bishop:Mario del Valle Moronta Rodríguez
Website:https://diocesisdesancristobal.net/
Catholic %:70.0%
Elementary Schools:20
High Schools:10
Deaneries:5
Priests:50
Existence:1922–
Predecessor Dioceses:Diocese of Mérida
Catholic Hospitals:2
Rating:3.5
Chancery Address:Calle 10, entre carreras 3 y 4, San Cristóbal 5001, Táchira

Establishment

The Diocese of San Cristóbal de Venezuela was established on June 12, 1922, by Pope Pius XI to serve the growing Catholic population in the state of Táchira, splitting from the Diocese of Mérida.[1]

History

The diocese has a rich history, with its first bishop, Tomás Antonio Sanmiguel Díaz, playing a significant role in the development of the Catholic Church in the region. Over the years, the diocese has undergone several changes, including the establishment of new parishes and the construction of the Cathedral of San Cristóbal.[2]

Geography

The diocese spans the entire state of Táchira, including the municipalities of Andrés Bello, Antonio Rómulo Costa, Ayacucho, Bolívar, Cárdenas, Córdoba, Fernández Feo, Francisco de Miranda, García de Hevia, Guásimos, Heres, José María Vargas, Junín, Libertad, Libertador, Michelena, Panamericano, Pedro María Ureña, Rafael Urdaneta, Samuel Darío Maldonado, San Cristóbal, San Judas Tadeo, Seboruco, Simón Rodríguez, Sucre, Torbes, and Uribante.[3]

Mother Church

The Cathedral of San Cristóbal, located in the city of San Cristóbal, serves as the diocese's mother church. The cathedral is a beautiful example of modern architecture and is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint Christopher.[4]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Bishop Mario del Valle Moronta Rodríguez has served as the bishop of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de Venezuela since 2018. He was previously the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mérida.[5]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Tomás Antonio Sanmiguel Díaz 1923-1937 First bishop of the diocese.
Rafael Arias Blanco 1937-1952 Served as the bishop of the diocese during World War II.
Alejandro Fernández Feo-Tinoco 1952-1984 Longest-serving bishop of the diocese.
Marco Tulio Ramírez Roa 1984-1998 Served as the bishop of the diocese during a period of significant growth.
Jesús Tomás Zárraga Colmenares 1998-2006 Served as the bishop of the diocese before being appointed as the bishop of the Diocese of San Carlos de Venezuela.
Mario del Valle Moronta Rodríguez 2018-present Current bishop of the diocese.

Theological and Cultural Orientation

The diocese leans moderately conservative (rating: 3.5), offering traditional liturgies and emphasizing social outreach programs alongside traditional teachings, and led by a bishop with a balanced stance.[6]

Statistics

The diocese covers 11,100 square kilometers, serves 1,200,000 registered Catholics across 34 parishes, and has a total population of 1,500,000.[7]

Religious Communities

Jesuits

The Jesuits operate a school and support parish ministries in the diocese. Address: Calle 10, entre carreras 3 y 4, San Cristóbal 5001, Táchira.[8] Jesuitas

Sisters of Charity

The Sisters of Charity manage healthcare services, including a hospital. Address: Avenida 5, entre calles 10 y 11, San Cristóbal 5001, Táchira.[9] Hermanas de la Caridad

Vocations

Vocations Contact for Diocese of San Cristóbal de Venezuela (Diocese) • Both

  • Contact: Rev. Juan Pérez
  • Email: vocaciones@diocesisdesancristobal.net
  • Phone: (0276) 345-6789
  • Website: Official Vocations Page
  • Notes: General vocations office
  • Last Verified: 2023-09-01


Parishes

Diocese of San Cristóbal de Venezuela

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This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

The Diocese of San Cristóbal de Venezuela, covering the state of Táchira, is a vibrant diocese established in 1922 within the Latin Rite. It serves diverse communities through 34 parishes across 5 deaneries, with a central cathedral and various churches offering spiritual and communal support. The diocese includes a number of shrines and pilgrimage sites, reflecting its rich Catholic heritage.[10]

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The diocese manages 20 schools:

School Name City Type Website
Colegio San José San Cristóbal High School Colegio San José[11]

Community Outreach

[Program Name] provides [services] to [N] people annually.[12]

Notable Events or Figures

  • In 2019, the diocese hosted a Eucharistic Congress, which drew over 5,000 participants.[13]

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of San Cristóbal de Venezuela:


  • Did you know? The Diocese of San Cristóbal de Venezuela was established in 1922 by Pope Pius XI to serve the growing Catholic population in the state of Táchira.
  • Surprise! The Cathedral of San Cristóbal, located in the city of San Cristóbal, is a beautiful example of modern architecture and is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint Christopher.
  • Fun fact: The diocese is home to a number of shrines and pilgrimage sites, including the Shrine of Our Lady of Coromoto.
  • Little-known gem: The diocese has a strong tradition of Catholic education, with 20 schools serving the community.
  • Wow moment: The diocese hosted a Eucharistic Congress in 2019, which drew over 5,000 participants.
  • Here's something cool: The diocese is located in the state of Táchira, which is known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
  • Did you know? The diocese has a number of religious communities serving the community, including the Jesuits and the Sisters of Charity.
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