Diocese of Esteli

---

Bishop(s) Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara, S.D.B., Bishop Rubén López Ardón, Bishop Emeritus

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Erected: 17 December 1962 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Managua Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Nicaragua Square Kilometers: 7,298 (2,818 Square Miles) Description: Esteli, Nueva Segovia, and Madriz Mailing Address: Obispado, Apartado 16, Estelí, Nicaragua Telephone: 713-5939 Fax: 713-3037

---

Past and Present Ordinaries

• Clemente Carranza y López † (12 Jan 1963 Appointed - 7 Feb 1978 Died)
• Rubén López Ardón (2 Jan 1979 Appointed - 6 Mar 1990 Resigned)
• Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara, S.D.B. (6 Mar 1990 Appointed - )

---

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
17 December 1962	Erected	Diocese of León en Nicaragua	Diocese of Esteli (erected)

---

Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1966	168,000	169,500	99.1%	12	4	16	10,500		4	43	16	ap1967
1968	185,500	191,218	97.0%	12	6	18	10,305		6		12	ap1971
1976	230,324	233,324	98.7%	17	8	25	9,212		13	44	17	ap1977
1977	243,950	251,450	97.0%	17	6	23	10,606		12	44	17	ap1981
1990	282,000	314,000	89.8%	14	18	32	8,812		30	35	26	ap1991
1999	580,600	650,500	89.3%	30	17	47	12,353	5	26	27	23	ap2000
2000	638,660	715,550	89.3%	33	17	50	12,773	5	26	27	23	ap2001
2001	638,660	715,550	89.3%	14	10	24	26,610	5	19	27	23	ap2002
2002	730,550	760,850	96.0%	17	10	27	27,057	5	19	29	23	ap2003
2003	740,450	775,540	95.5%	21	14	35	21,155	5	23	29	23	ap2004
2004	814,495	853,094	95.5%	20	14	34	23,955	5	23	29	24	ap2005
2006	913,862	957,171	95.5%	22	9	31	29,479	5	18	29	24	ap2007

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

---

Affiliated Bishops

• Clemente Carranza y López † (Bishop: 12 Jan 1963 to 7 Feb 1978)
• Rubén López Ardón (Priest: 22 Dec 1961; Bishop: 2 Jan 1979 to 6 Mar 1990)
• Juan Abelardo Mata Guevara, S.D.B. (Bishop: 6 Mar 1990 - )