Braga (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Jorge Ferreira da Costa Ortiga, Archbishop
Manuel da Silva Rodrigues Linda, Auxiliary Bishop
António Manuel Moiteiro Ramos, Auxiliary Bishop
Eurico Dias Nogueira, Archbishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Archdiocese
Elevated: 12th Century
Metropolitan See
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Portugal
Square Kilometers: 2,832 (1,093 Square Miles)
Official Web Site: http://www.diocese-braga.pt/
Mailing Address: Rua Sao Domingos 94B, 4710-435 Braga CODEX, Portugal
Telephone: 253.20.31.80
Fax: 253.20.31.90

Historical Details

Diocese of Braga
- Latin Name: Bracarensis
- Erected: 4th Century
- Country: Portugal

Past and Present Ordinaries

Silvestre Godinho † (5 Jul 1229 Appointed - 8 Jul 1244 Died)
Fernando de Guerra † (15 Dec 1417 Appointed - 26 Sep 1467 Died)
Jorge da Costa † ( 1486 Appointed - 1488 Resigned)
Diogo de Sousa † (11 Jul 1505 Appointed - 19 Jun 1532 Died)
Henrique de Portugal † (30 Apr 1533 Appointed - 24 Sep 1540 Appointed, Archbishop of Évora)
Diego da Silva, O.F.M. † (24 Sep 1540 Appointed - 1541 Died)
Manuel de Sousa † (22 Mar 1545 Appointed - 1549 Resigned)
Baltazar Limpo, O. Carm. † (23 May 1550 Appointed - 21 Mar 1559 Died)
Bl. Bartolomé Fernandes dos Mártires, O.P. † (29 Jan 1559 Confirmed - 23 Feb 1582 Resigned)
João Afonso de Menezes † (6 Nov 1581 Appointed - 14 Jul 1587 Died)
Agostinho de Jesus, O.S.A. † (13 Jun 1588 Appointed - 25 Nov 1609 Died)
Alexeu de Jesu de Meneses, O.S.A. † (19 Mar 1612 Appointed - 3 May 1617 Died)
Afonso Furtado de Mendonça † (12 Nov 1618 Appointed - 3 Dec 1626 Appointed, Archbishop of Lisboa {Lisbon})
Rodrigo da Cunha † (27 Jan 1627 Confirmed - 1635 Appointed, Archbishop of Lisboa {Lisbon})
Sebastião de Matos de Noronha † (9 Jun 1636 Confirmed - 1641 Died)
Pedro de Lencastre, O.F.M. Cap. † ( 1654 Appointed - 1670 Resigned)
Veríssimo de Lencastre † (22 Dec 1670 Appointed - 8 Feb 1677 Resigned)
Luís de Sousa † (8 Feb 1677 Appointed - 29 Apr 1690 Died)
José de Menezes † (10 Mar 1692 Appointed - 16 Feb 1696 Died)
João de Sousa † (24 Sep 1696 Appointed - 1 Oct 1703 Appointed, Archbishop of Lisboa {Lisbon})
Rodrigo de Moura Telles † (10 Mar 1704 Appointed - 4 Sep 1728 Died)
José de Bragança † (19 Dec 1740 Appointed - 3 Jun 1756 Died)
Gaspar de Bragança † (13 Mar 1758 Appointed - 18 Jan 1789 Died)
Cayetano Da Annunciação Brandão, T.O.R. † (29 Mar 1790 Appointed - 15 Dec 1805 Died)
José da Costa e Torres † (26 Aug 1806 Confirmed - 26 Aug 1813 Died)
Miguel da Madre de Deus da Cruz, O.F.M. † (4 Sep 1815 Confirmed - 20 Aug 1827 Died)
Pedro Paulo de Figuereido da Cunha e Melo † (3 Apr 1843 Confirmed - 31 Dec 1855 Died)
José Joaquim de Azevedo e Moura † (16 Jun 1856 Confirmed - 27 Nov 1876 Died)
João Crisóstomo de Amorim Pessoa, O.F.M. † (27 Nov 1876 Succeeded - Apr 1883 Resigned)
António José de Freitas Honorato † (9 Aug 1883 Confirmed - 28 Dec 1898 Died)
Manuel Baptista da Costa (da Cunha) † (23 May 1899 Confirmed - 13 May 1913 Died)
Manuel Vieira de Matos † (1 Oct 1914 Appointed - 28 Sep 1932 Died)
Antonio Bento Martins Júnior † (28 Sep 1932 Succeeded - 19 Aug 1963 Died)
Francisco Maria da Silva † (12 Dec 1963 Appointed - 14 Apr 1977 Died)
Eurico Dias Nogueira (3 Nov 1977 Appointed - 5 Jun 1999 Retired)
Jorge Ferreira da Costa Ortiga (5 Jun 1999 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Diocese of Braga
4th Century	Erected		Diocese of Braga (erected)
Archdiocese of Braga
12th Century	Elevated	Diocese of Braga	Archdiocese of Braga
23 March 1545	Territory Lost	Archdiocese of Braga	Diocese of Miranda (do Douro) (erected)
20 April 1922	Territory Lost	Diocese of Bragança e Miranda Archdiocese of Braga Diocese of Lamego	Diocese of Vila Real (erected)
3 November 1977	Territory Lost	Archdiocese of Braga	Diocese of Viana do Castelo (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

Archdiocese of Braga

1949 806,694 807,033 100.0% 854 118 972 829 143 848 830 ap1951

1959 895,000 895,480 99.9% 825 160 985 908 205 820 831 ap1960

1970 1,134,900 1,135,000 100.0% 853 201 1,054 1,076 404 718 836 ap1971

1980 729,000 730,000 99.9% 576 145 721 1,011 266 924 548 ap1981

1990 927,000 930,000 99.7% 518 126 644 1,439 2 275 761 551 ap1991

1999 881,000 900,000 97.9% 486 113 599 1,470 8 210 790 551 ap2000

2000 882,000 900,000 98.0% 488 110 598 1,474 7 209 778 551 ap2001

2001 882,000 900,000 98.0% 479 108 587 1,502 8 194 754 551 ap2002

2002 927,000 945,000 98.1% 479 112 591 1,568 9 196 747 551 ap2003

2003 944,304 964,304 97.9% 464 119 583 1,619 7 197 747 551 ap2004

2004 945,000 965,400 97.9% 463 107 570 1,657 8 174 662 551 ap2005

2006 875,000 952,000 91.9% 448 94 542 1,614 8 186 583 551 ap2007

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Archdiocese of Braga
1949	806,694	807,033	100.0%	854	118	972	829		143	848	830	ap1951
1959	895,000	895,480	99.9%	825	160	985	908		205	820	831	ap1960
1970	1,134,900	1,135,000	100.0%	853	201	1,054	1,076		404	718	836	ap1971
1980	729,000	730,000	99.9%	576	145	721	1,011		266	924	548	ap1981
1990	927,000	930,000	99.7%	518	126	644	1,439	2	275	761	551	ap1991
1999	881,000	900,000	97.9%	486	113	599	1,470	8	210	790	551	ap2000
2000	882,000	900,000	98.0%	488	110	598	1,474	7	209	778	551	ap2001
2001	882,000	900,000	98.0%	479	108	587	1,502	8	194	754	551	ap2002
2002	927,000	945,000	98.1%	479	112	591	1,568	9	196	747	551	ap2003
2003	944,304	964,304	97.9%	464	119	583	1,619	7	197	747	551	ap2004
2004	945,000	965,400	97.9%	463	107	570	1,657	8	174	662	551	ap2005
2006	875,000	952,000	91.9%	448	94	542	1,614	8	186	583	551	ap2007

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Pio Gonçalo Alves de Souza (Priest: 15 Aug 1968 to 18 Feb 2011)
António José da Rocha Couto, S.M.P. (Auxiliary Bishop: 6 Jul 2007 to 19 Nov 2011)
Manuel da Silva Rodrigues Linda (Auxiliary Bishop: 27 Jun 2009)
Jacinto Tomás de Carvalho Botelho (Auxiliary Bishop: 31 Oct 1995 to 20 Jan 2000)
Eurico Dias Nogueira (Archbishop: 3 Nov 1977 to 5 Jun 1999)
António Francisco dos Santos (Auxiliary Bishop: 21 Dec 2004 to 21 Sep 2006)
António Augusto dos Santos Marto (Auxiliary Bishop: 10 Nov 2000 to 22 Apr 2004)
Antonino Eugénio Fernandes Dias (Priest: 13 Jun 1974; Auxiliary Bishop: 10 Nov 2000 to 8 Sep 2008)
Jorge Ferreira da Costa Ortiga (Priest: 9 Jul 1967; Auxiliary Bishop: 9 Nov 1987; Archbishop: 5 Jun 1999)
Joaquim Gonçalves (Priest: 10 Jul 1960; Auxiliary Bishop: 3 Aug 1981 to 19 May 1987)
António Manuel Moiteiro Ramos (Auxiliary Bishop: 8 Jun 2012)
Manuel Monteiro de Castro (Priest: 9 Jul 1961 to 16 Feb 1985)
Serafim de Sousa Ferreira e Silva (Auxiliary Bishop: 30 Apr 1979 to 1981)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

João Afonso de Menezes † (Archbishop: 6 Nov 1581 to 14 Jul 1587)
Ludovico Alvares de Figueiredo † (Auxiliary Bishop: 5 Oct 1716 to 21 Feb 1725)
João Crisóstomo de Amorim Pessoa, O.F.M. † (Coadjutor Archbishop: 17 Nov 1874; Archbishop: 27 Nov 1876 to Apr 1883)
Domingos da Apresentação Fernandes † (Priest: 25 May 1918 to 13 Dec 1952)
José Joaquim de Azevedo e Moura † (Archbishop: 16 Jun 1856 to 27 Nov 1876)
Eugénio Boto da Silva † (Auxiliary Bishop: 3 Jul 1741 to 19 Apr 1748)
Andrea (Antonius) Bottado (Botado), O.S.A. † (Auxiliary Bishop: 2 Jan 1696 to 27 Jun 1715)
Gaspar de Bragança † (Archbishop: 13 Mar 1758 to 18 Jan 1789)
José de Bragança † (Archbishop: 19 Dec 1740 to 3 Jun 1756)
Cayetano Da Annunciação Brandão, T.O.R. † (Archbishop: 29 Mar 1790 to 15 Dec 1805)
Manuel Alfonso de Carvalho † (Priest: 12 Jul 1936 to 10 Feb 1953)
Jorge da Costa † (Archbishop: 1486 to 1488)
Manuel Baptista da Costa (da Cunha) † (Archbishop: 23 May 1899 to 13 May 1913)
José da Costa e Torres † (Archbishop: 26 Aug 1806 to 26 Aug 1813)
Rodrigo da Cunha † (Archbishop: 27 Jan 1627 to 1635)
Miguel da Madre de Deus da Cruz, O.F.M. † (Archbishop: 4 Sep 1815 to 20 Aug 1827)
Diego da Silva, O.F.M. † (Archbishop: 24 Sep 1540 to 1541)
Francisco Maria da Silva † (Auxiliary Bishop: 20 Dec 1956; Archbishop: 12 Dec 1963 to 14 Apr 1977)
José Maria da Silva Torres, O.S.B. † (Coadjutor Archbishop: 17 Feb 1851 to 7 Nov 1854)
Bl. Bartolomé Fernandes dos Mártires, O.P. † (Archbishop: 29 Jan 1559 to 23 Feb 1582)
Manuel Ferreira Cabral † (Auxiliary Bishop: 16 Jan 1965 to 3 Jul 1967)
Pedro Paulo de Figuereido da Cunha e Melo † (Archbishop: 3 Apr 1843 to 31 Dec 1855)
António José de Freitas Honorato † (Archbishop: 9 Aug 1883 to 28 Dec 1898)
Afonso Furtado de Mendonça † (Archbishop: 12 Nov 1618 to 3 Dec 1626)
Silvestre Godinho † (Archbishop: 5 Jul 1229 to 8 Jul 1244)
Antonio José Gomes Cardoso † (Priest: 20 Sep 1879 to 17 Dec 1900)
Manuel Gonçalves Cerejeira † (Priest: 1 Apr 1911 to 23 Mar 1928)
Fernando de Guerra † (Archbishop: 15 Dec 1417 to 26 Sep 1467)
Agostinho de Jesus, O.S.A. † (Archbishop: 13 Jun 1588 to 25 Nov 1609)
Agostinho de Jesus e Souza † (Priest: 19 Dec 1903 to 4 Aug 1921)
João Pedro Julião †
Pedro de Lencastre, O.F.M. Cap. † (Archbishop: 1654 to 1670)
Veríssimo de Lencastre † (Archbishop: 22 Dec 1670 to 8 Feb 1677)
Baltazar Limpo, O. Carm. † (Archbishop: 23 May 1550 to 21 Mar 1559)
José Lopes Leite de Faria † (Priest: 19 Dec 1896 to 5 Oct 1915)
Antonio Bento Martins Júnior † (Coadjutor Archbishop: 14 Jul 1932; Archbishop: 28 Sep 1932 to 19 Aug 1963)
Carlos Francisco Martins Pinheiro † (Auxiliary Bishop: 16 Feb 1985 to 10 Nov 2000)
Sebastião de Matos de Noronha † (Archbishop: 9 Jun 1636 to 1641)
Alexeu de Jesu de Meneses, O.S.A. † (Archbishop: 19 Mar 1612 to 3 May 1617)
José de Menezes † (Archbishop: 10 Mar 1692 to 16 Feb 1696)
Rodrigo de Moura Telles † (Archbishop: 10 Mar 1704 to 4 Sep 1728)
Josephus de Oliveira Calado † (Auxiliary Bishop: 15 May 1752 to 4 Dec 1777)
Henrique de Portugal † (Archbishop: 30 Apr 1533 to 24 Sep 1540)
Jorge Queimada, O.S.A. † (Auxiliary Bishop: 1 Feb 1599)
António Ribeiro † (Priest: 5 Jul 1953; Auxiliary Bishop: 3 Jul 1967 to 10 May 1971)
Diogo de Sousa † (Archbishop: 11 Jul 1505 to 19 Jun 1532)
João de Sousa † (Archbishop: 24 Sep 1696 to 1 Oct 1703)
Luís de Sousa † (Archbishop: 8 Feb 1677 to 29 Apr 1690)
Manuel de Sousa † (Archbishop: 22 Mar 1545 to 1549)
Francisco José de Souza Lima † (Auxiliary Bishop: 11 Jan 1808 to 15 Apr 1811)
João José Vaz Pereira † (Auxiliary Bishop: 27 Jun 1821 to 4 May 1830)
Manuel Vieira de Matos † (Archbishop: 1 Oct 1914 to 28 Sep 1932)

Archdiocese of Braga

Archidioecesis Bracarensis