Diocese of Socorro y San Gil

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The Diocese of Socorro y San Gil, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese encompassing the departments of Santander and a portion of Boyacá in Colombia. Founded in 1957 by Pope Pius XII, it is led by Bishop Luis Augusto Campos Flórez as of 2023. As part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bucaramanga, the diocese serves a diverse Catholic community in a region known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, with 43 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 the region.

Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Socorro y San Gil

Diocese: Diocese of Socorro y San Gil
Status:Active
Rite:Latin
Type:Suffragan diocese
Ecclesiastical Province:Province of Bucaramanga
Metropolitan Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Bucaramanga
Country:Colombia
Region:Santander
Bishop:Luis Augusto Campos Flórez
Website:https://diocesisdesocorroy sangil.org.co
Catholic %:85.0%
Elementary Schools:20
High Schools:10
Deaneries:5
Priests:100
Existence:1957–
Predecessor Dioceses:Archdiocese of Bucaramanga
Catholic Hospitals:2
Rating:3.5
Chancery Address:Calle 13 No. 11-35, Socorro, Santander

Establishment

The Diocese of Socorro y San Gil was established on July 7, 1957, by Pope Pius XII to serve the growing Catholic population in the departments of Santander and Boyacá, splitting from the Archdiocese of Bucaramanga.[1]

History

The diocese has a rich history, with the first bishop, Pedro José Rivera Mejía, playing a key role in the development of the diocese. The diocese has undergone several boundary changes, with the most recent being in 1977 when the Diocese of Vélez was established.[2]

Geography

The diocese spans the departments of Santander and a portion of Boyacá, including the municipalities of:

  • Socorro
  • San Gil
  • Barbosa
  • Simacota
  • Curití

It is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bucaramanga.[3]

Mother Church

The Catedral de Nuestra Señora del Socorro in Socorro, a beautiful example of colonial architecture, serves as the diocese's mother church.[4]

Leadership

Current Bishop

Bishop Luis Augusto Campos Flórez has served since 2023. A former vicar general, he focuses on evangelization and social outreach.[5]

Past Bishops

Name Tenure Notes
Pedro José Rivera Mejía 1957–1975 First Bishop of Socorro y San Gil.
Ciro Alfonso Gómez Serrano 1975–1983 Transferred to Diocese of Girardota.
Jorge Iván Castaño Rubio 1983–1992 Transferred to Diocese of Tibú.
Carlos Germán Mesa Ruiz 1992–2003 Retired.
Ismael Rueda Sierra 2003–2018 Retired.
Luis Augusto Campos Flórez 2023–present Current Bishop.

Theological and cultural orientation The diocese leans moderately conservative (rating: 3.5), offering Latin Masses occasionally in select parishes, emphasizing social outreach like poverty programs alongside traditional teachings, and led by a bishop with a balanced stance.[6]

Statistics

The diocese covers 6,295 square miles (16,310 km²), serves 850,000 registered Catholics across 43 parishes, and has a total population of 1,100,000.[7]

Religious communities

Jesuits

The Jesuits operate a school and support parish ministries in the diocese. Address: Calle 13 No. 11-35, Socorro, Santander.[8] Jesuits

Sisters of Charity

The Sisters of Charity manage healthcare services, including a hospital in San Gil. Address: Carrera 10 No. 12-50, San Gil, Santander.[9] Sisters of Charity

Vocations

Vocations Contact for Diocese of Socorro y San Gil (Diocese) • Both


Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in Diocese of Socorro y San Gil
Diocese of Socorro y San Gil

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This map created from a Cargo query (Purge)

The Diocese of Socorro y San Gil, covering the departments of Santander and a portion of Boyacá, is a vibrant missionary diocese established in 1957 within the Latin Rite. It serves diverse communities through 43 parishes across 5 deaneries, with a central cathedral and various churches offering spiritual and communal support. The diocese includes a few shrines and hosts pilgrimage sites, reflecting its rich Catholic heritage.[10]

Mission and services

Catholic education

The diocese manages 20 schools:

School Name City Type Website
Colegio María Auxiliadora Socorro High School Colegio María Auxiliadora[11]

Community outreach

The diocese's Caritas program provides social services to over 10,000 people annually.[12]

Notable events or figures

  • In 2019, the diocese hosted a Eucharistic Congress, which drew over 5,000 participants.[13]
  • Saint Ezequiel Moreno y Díaz, a former bishop, shaped early theology in the region.

Fun facts

Below are some fun facts about the Diocese of Socorro y San Gil:


  • Did you know? The Diocese of Socorro y San Gil was established on July 7, 1957, by Pope Pius XII to serve the growing Catholic population in the departments of Santander and Boyacá.
  • Surprise! The Catedral de Nuestra Señora del Socorro in Socorro is a beautiful example of colonial architecture and serves as the diocese's mother church.
  • Fun fact: The diocese has a vibrant Eucharistic Congress, which drew over 5,000 participants in 2019.
  • Little-known gem: The diocese is home to several shrines and pilgrimage sites, reflecting its rich Catholic heritage.
  • Wow moment: The diocese's Caritas program provides social services to over 10,000 people annually.
  • Here's something cool: The diocese has 43 parishes across 5 deaneries, with a central cathedral and various churches offering spiritual and communal support.
  • Did you know? The diocese is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bucaramanga.

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    Diocesan photos

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    References

    1. ↑ "Diocese of Socorro y San Gil". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsosg.html. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 
    2. ↑ "Diocese of Socorro y San Gil". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsosg.html. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 
    3. ↑ "Diocese of Socorro y San Gil". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsosg.html. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 
    4. ↑ "Diocese of Socorro y San Gil". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsosg.html. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 
    5. ↑ "Bishop Luis Augusto Campos Flórez". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bcamposf.html. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 
    6. ↑ "Diocese of Socorro y San Gil". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsosg.html. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 
    7. ↑ "Diocese of Socorro y San Gil". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsosg.html. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 
    8. ↑ "Jesuits in Colombia". https://www.jesuitas.org.co. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 
    9. ↑ "Sisters of Charity in Colombia". https://www.hermanasdelacaridad.org.co. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 
    10. ↑ sangil.org.co/parishes "Parish Directory". https://diocesisdesocorroy sangil.org.co/parishes. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 
    11. ↑ "Colegio María Auxiliadora". https://www.colegiomariaauxiliadora.edu.co. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 
    12. ↑ "Caritas Colombia". https://www.caritas.org.co. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 
    13. ↑ sangil.org.co/news "Diocese News". https://www.diocesisdesocorroy sangil.org.co/news. Retrieved 2025-06-03. 

    External Links

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