Vicariate Apostolic of Chaco Paraguayo

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Bishop(s) Edmundo Ponziano Valenzuela Mellid, S.D.B., Vicar Apostolic

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Vicariate Apostolic Erected: 11 March 1948 Vicariate Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Paraguay Square Kilometers: 96,300 (37,195 Square Miles) Mailing Address: C.P. 587, Asuncion, Paraguay Telephone: 448.422 Fax: 449.160

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Angel Muzzolón, S.D.B. † (11 Mar 1948 Appointed - 6 Mar 1969 Resigned)
• Alejo del Carmen Obelar Colman, S.D.B. † (6 Mar 1969 Appointed - 13 Sep 1986 Resigned)
• Zacarías Ortiz Rolón, S.D.B. (12 Mar 1988 Appointed - 12 Jul 2003 Appointed, Bishop of Concepción (Santissima Concezione) en Paraguay)
• Edmundo Ponziano Valenzuela Mellid, S.D.B. (13 Feb 2006 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
11 March 1948	Erected	Diocese of Concepción y Chaco	Vicariate Apostolic of Chaco Paraguayo (erected)

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Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1950	50,000	50,000	100.0%		11	11	4,545		13	4	5	ap1951
1964	35,000	40,000	87.5%		12	12	2,916			9	7	ap1967
1970	28,850	32,850	87.8%		9	9	3,205		10	7		ap1971
1976	20,200	30,300	66.7%		7	7	2,885		11	16	7	ap1977
1980	20,200	30,300	66.7%		6	6	3,366		8	16	7	ap1981
1990	18,350	20,900	87.8%		7	7	2,621		9	10	7	ap1991
1999	16,300	18,600	87.6%	1	7	8	2,037		8	11	7	ap2000
2000	16,300	18,600	87.6%	1	7	8	2,037		8	12	7	ap2001
2001	16,300	18,600	87.6%	1	7	8	2,037		8	12	7	ap2002
2002	16,300	18,600	87.6%		7	7	2,328		8	12	7	ap2003
2003	18,000	19,606	91.8%		7	7	2,571		8	12	7	ap2004
2004	18,000	19,606	91.8%		6	6	3,000		7	12	7	ap2005

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

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Affiliated Bishops, Living

• Zacarías Ortiz Rolón, S.D.B. (Vicar Apostolic: 12 Mar 1988 to 12 Jul 2003)
• Edmundo Ponziano Valenzuela Mellid, S.D.B. (Vicar Apostolic: 13 Feb 2006)

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Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• Angel Muzzolón, S.D.B. † (Vicar Apostolic: 11 Mar 1948 to 6 Mar 1969)
• Alejo del Carmen Obelar Colman, S.D.B. † (Vicar Apostolic: 6 Mar 1969 to 13 Sep 1986)