Diocese of Verapaz
The Diocese of Verapaz, a suffragan diocese of the Latin Rite, is an active diocese in Guatemala. Founded in 1961, it serves the departments of Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz as part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Guatemala. The diocese maintains its see in Cobán and continues the Catholic presence established during the colonial era in the Verapaz region. Stored in Cargo: Diocese of Verapaz
| Diocese: Diocese of Verapaz | |
| Status: | Active |
| Rite: | Latin |
| Type: | Suffragan diocese |
| Ecclesiastical Province: | Province of Guatemala |
| Metropolitan Archdiocese: | Archdiocese of Guatemala |
| Country: | Guatemala |
| Region: | Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz |
| Bishop: | Juan Manuel Cuadrado |
| Existence: | 1961– |
Establishment
The Diocese of Verapaz was established on 3 February 1961 by Pope John XXIII to serve the growing Catholic population in the Verapaz region of Guatemala.
History
The territory of the diocese corresponds to the historic Verapaz region evangelized in the sixteenth century. It was erected from portions of the Diocese of Zacapa and has remained a suffragan see within the Ecclesiastical Province of Guatemala.
Geography
The diocese covers the departments of Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz in central Guatemala. It forms part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Guatemala.
Mother Church
The Cathedral of Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Cobán serves as the mother church of the diocese.
Leadership
Current Bishop
Juan Manuel Cuadrado has served as bishop since 2021.
Past Bishops
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raymundo Joseph Peña | 1961–1966 | First Bishop of Verapaz; transferred to another see. |
| Juan José Gerardi Conedera | 1966–1974 | Later became Bishop of Quiché and auxiliary in Guatemala City. |
| Gerardo Humberto Flores Reyes | 1975–1984 | Transferred to the Diocese of Huehuetenango. |
| Rodolfo Quezada Toruño | 1984–1986 | Later became Archbishop of Guatemala. |
| Julio Edgar Cabrera Ovalle | 1986–2001 | Transferred to the Diocese of San Francisco de Asís de Jutiapa. |
| Rodolfo Valenzuela Núñez | 2001–2021 | Retired. |
| Juan Manuel Cuadrado | 2021–present | Current Bishop. |
Statistics
This cannot be confirmed through available primary sources at this time.
Religious Communities
This cannot be confirmed through available primary sources at this time.
Parishes
The diocese comprises numerous parishes across the two departments it serves.
Mission and Services
Catholic Education
This cannot be confirmed through available primary sources at this time.
Notable Events or Figures
- The region of Verapaz was the site of early Dominican missionary efforts in the sixteenth century under Bartolomé de las Casas.
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Associated saints
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Diocesan photos
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