Diocese of Kimberley

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Bishop(s) Erwin Hecht, O.M.I., Bishop

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Elevated: 11 January 1951 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Bloemfontein Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: South Africa Square Kilometers: 123,083 (47,540 Square Miles) Mailing Address: 20 Dalham Road, P.O. Box 309, Kimberley 8300, South Africa Telephone: (053)831.18.61/2 Fax: 831.18.63

Historical Details

• Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in Orange
  • Erected: 4 June 1886
  • Vicariate
  • Country: South Africa

• Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in South Africa {nell’Africa Meridionale}
  • Latin Name: Kimberliensis in Africa Meridionali
  • Name Changed: 1918
  • Vicariate
  • Country: South Africa

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Matthew Gaughren, O.M.I. † (13 Jan 1902 Appointed - 30 May 1914 Died)
• Herman Joseph Meysing, O.M.I. † (19 Dec 1929 Appointed - 11 Jan 1951 Appointed, Archbishop of Bloemfontein)
• John Boekenfoehr, O.M.I. † (24 Mar 1953 Appointed - 1 Jul 1974 Resigned)
• Erwin Hecht, O.M.I. (1 Jul 1974 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in Orange
4 June 1886	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Cape of Good Hope, Eastern District {Capo de Buona Speranza, Distretto Orientale} Vicariate Apostolic of Natal	Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in Orange (erected)
8 May 1894	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in Orange	Prefecture Apostolic of Basutoland (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in South Africa {nell’Africa Meridionale}
1918	Name Changed	Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in Orange	Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in South Africa {nell’Africa Meridionale}
26 November 1923	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in South Africa {nell’Africa Meridionale}	Prefecture Apostolic of Kroonstad (erected)
9 April 1948	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in South Africa {nell’Africa Meridionale} Vicariate Apostolic of Transvaal	Vicariate Apostolic of Pretoria (erected)
11 January 1951	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Aliwal Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in South Africa {nell’Africa Meridionale}	Archdiocese of Bloemfontein (erected)
Diocese of Kimberley
11 January 1951	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in South Africa {nell’Africa Meridionale}	Diocese of Kimberley
2 April 1959	Territory Lost	Diocese of Bulawayo Diocese of Kimberley Vicariate Apostolic of Windhoek	Prefecture Apostolic of Bechuanaland (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
Vicariate Apostolic of Kimberley in South Africa {nell’Africa Meridionale}
1950	32,727	691,649	4.7%		39	39	839		78	152	4	ap1951
Diocese of Kimberley
1969	51,803			1	37	38	1,363		73	89	3	ap1971
1980	66,835	565,000	11.8%	3	25	28	2,386		41	75	4	ap1981
1990	93,948	707,000	13.3%	3	21	24	3,914		38	42	4	ap1991
1999	113,270	1,502,230	7.5%	18	14	32	3,539		19	34	8	ap2000
2000	117,355	1,603,760	7.3%	17	15	32	3,667		20	27	15	ap2001
2001	118,730	1,607,350	7.4%	14	14	28	4,240		19	28	16	ap2002
2002	119,690	1,690,480	7.1%	14	12	26	4,603		16	21	16	ap2003
2003	119,780	1,730,680	6.9%	13	15	28	4,277		19	20	16	ap2004
2004	117,335	1,740,000	6.7%	16	16	32	3,666		20	26	17	ap2005

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

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Affiliated Bishops, Living

• Erwin Hecht, O.M.I. (Auxiliary Bishop: 3 Feb 1972; Bishop: 1 Jul 1974)

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Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• John Boekenfoehr, O.M.I. † (Bishop: 24 Mar 1953 to 1 Jul 1974)
• Matthew Gaughren, O.M.I. † (Vicar Apostolic: 13 Jan 1902 to 30 May 1914)
• Herman Joseph Meysing, O.M.I. † (Vicar Apostolic: 19 Dec 1929 to 11 Jan 1951)