Vicariate Apostolic of Darién

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Bishop(s) Pedro Joaquin Hernández Cantarero, C.M.F., Vicar Apostolic

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Vicariate Apostolic Erected: 29 November 1925 Vicariate Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Panama Square Kilometers: 16,671 (6,439 Square Miles) Mailing Address: Meteti, Darién, Panamá; Apartado 87-0871, Panamá 7, Panamá Telephone: 232-6814 Fax: 232-6417

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Juan José Maíztegui y Besoitaiturria, C.M.F. † (14 Jul 1926 Appointed - 1932 Appointed, Auxiliary Bishop of Panamá)
• José María Preciado y Nieva, C.M.F. † (26 Feb 1934 Appointed - 19 May 1955 Resigned)
• Jesús Serrano Pastor, C.M.F. † (7 Apr 1956 Appointed - 22 Jul 1981 Retired)
• Carlos María Ariz Bolea, C.M.F. (22 Jul 1981 Appointed - 15 Dec 1988 Appointed, Bishop of Colón)
• Rómulo Emiliani Sánchez, C.M.F. (15 Dec 1988 Appointed - 2 Feb 2002 Appointed, Auxiliary Bishop of San Pedro Sula)
• Pedro Joaquin Hernández Cantarero, C.M.F. (12 Feb 2005 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
29 November 1925	Erected	Diocese of Panamá	Vicariate Apostolic of Darién (erected)
15 December 1988	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Darién	Diocese of Colón (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
1949	80,000	100,000	80.0%	1	22	23	3,478		37	51	4	ap1951
1966	113,198	138,698	81.6%	1	23	24	4,716		33	71	8	ap1967
1970	118,903	159,629	74.5%	1	29	30	3,963		39	64		ap1971
1976	135,000	175,000	77.1%	2	34	36	3,750		49	63	17	ap1977
1980	150,000	190,000	78.9%	2	34	36	4,166		52	65	17	ap1981
1990	30,000	36,000	83.3%		5	5	6,000	1	8	20	7	ap1991
1999	48,000	60,000	80.0%	2	10	12	4,000		13	18		ap2000
2000	48,000	60,000	80.0%	2	7	9	5,333		9	24		ap2001
2001	48,000	60,000	80.0%	1	6	7	6,857		9	29		ap2002
2002	48,000	60,000	80.0%	1	7	8	6,000	1	10	24		ap2003
2003	40,000	50,000	80.0%	1	8	9	4,444		9	28		ap2004
2004	40,000	50,000	80.0%	4	9	13	3,076		11	27		ap2005

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

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Affiliated Bishops

• Carlos María Ariz Bolea, C.M.F. (Vicar Apostolic: 22 Jul 1981 to 15 Dec 1988)
• Rómulo Emiliani Sánchez, C.M.F. (Vicar Apostolic: 15 Dec 1988 to 2 Feb 2002)
• Pedro Joaquin Hernández Cantarero, C.M.F. (Vicar Apostolic: 12 Feb 2005)
• Juan José Maíztegui y Besoitaiturria, C.M.F. † (Vicar Apostolic: 14 Jul 1926 to 1932)
• José María Preciado y Nieva, C.M.F. † (Vicar Apostolic: 26 Feb 1934 to 19 May 1955)
• Jesús Serrano Pastor, C.M.F. † (Vicar Apostolic: 7 Apr 1956 to 22 Jul 1981)
• Marcos Zuluaga Arteche, C.M.F. † (Auxiliary Bishop: 9 Dec 1976 to 13 Nov 1981)