Diocese of Keetmanshoop

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Bishop(s) Philipp Pöllitzer, O.M.I., Bishop

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Elevated: 14 March 1994 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Windhoek Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Namibia Square Kilometers: 264,110 (102,012 Square Miles) Mailing Address: P.O. Box 88, 88 Cathedral Street, Keetmanshoop 9000, Namibia Telephone: (063)222.007 Fax: 222.692

Historical Details

• Prefecture Apostolic of Great Namaqualand
  • Latin Name: Magni Namaqueland
  • Erected: 7 July 1909
  • Country: Namibia

• Vicariate Apostolic of Great Namaqualand
  • Latin Name: Magni Namaqueland
  • Elevated: 14 July 1930
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Namibia

• Vicariate Apostolic of Keetmanshoop
  • Latin Name: Keetmanshoopensis
  • Name Changed: 13 January 1949
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Namibia

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Stanislao von Krolikowski, O.S.F.S. † ( 1910 Appointed - 1923 Died)
• Mattia Eder, O.S.F.S. † (16 Mar 1923 Appointed - 1930 Died)
• Joseph Klemann, O.S.F.S. † (24 Feb 1931 Appointed - 10 Nov 1942 Resigned)
• John Francis Eich, O.S.F.S. † (10 Nov 1942 Succeeded - 4 Feb 1947 Died)
• Francis Xavier Esser, O.S.F.S. † (13 Jan 1949 Appointed - 9 Jun 1955 Appointed, Coadjutor Bishop of Keimoes)
• Edward Francis Joseph Schlotterback, O.S.F.S. † (24 Mar 1956 Appointed - 2 Oct 1989 Retired)
• Anthony Chiminello, O.S.F.S. † (28 May 1993 Appointed - 23 Nov 2002 Died)
• Philipp Pöllitzer, O.M.I. (31 May 2007 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Great Namaqualand
7 July 1909	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Orange River	Prefecture Apostolic of Great Namaqualand (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Great Namaqualand
14 July 1930	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Great Namaqualand	Vicariate Apostolic of Great Namaqualand
Vicariate Apostolic of Keetmanshoop
13 January 1949	Name Changed	Vicariate Apostolic of Great Namaqualand	Vicariate Apostolic of Keetmanshoop
Diocese of Keetmanshoop
14 March 1994	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Keetmanshoop	Diocese of Keetmanshoop

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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 Keetmanshoop
1950	9,385	58,000	16.2%	1	19	20	469		23	63	21	ap1951
1970	18,011	81,144	22.2%		26	26	692		35	84		ap1971
1980	24,100	109,700	22.0%	1	25	26	926	7	37	59	22	ap1981
1990	30,502	162,000	18.8%		26	26	1,173	9	35	54	22	ap1991
Diocese of Keetmanshoop
1999	35,847	155,000	23.1%	1	17	18	1,991	12	27	48	21	ap2000
2000	36,900	158,000	23.4%	1	16	17	2,170	12	23	51	21	ap2001
2001	37,600	161,000	23.4%		15	15	2,506	12	23	47	21	ap2002
2002	37,575	161,000	23.3%	1	16	17	2,210	11	25	47	21	ap2003
2003	37,973	137,675	27.6%	2	19	21	1,808	11	26	48	21	ap2004
2004	38,356	137,675	27.9%	2	18	20	1,917	11	23	49	21	ap2005
2006	40,000	144,000	27.8%	2	16	18	2,222	9	18	47	21	ap2007

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

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Affiliated Bishops, Living

• Philipp Pöllitzer, O.M.I. (Bishop: 31 May 2007 - )

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Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• Anthony Chiminello, O.S.F.S. † (Vicar Apostolic: 28 May 1993; Bishop: 14 Mar 1994 to 23 Nov 2002)
• Mattia Eder, O.S.F.S. † (Prefect: 16 Mar 1923 to 1930)
• John Francis Eich, O.S.F.S. † (Coadjutor Bishop: 21 Apr 1942; Vicar Apostolic: 10 Nov 1942 to 4 Feb 1947)
• Francis Xavier Esser, O.S.F.S. † (Vicar Apostolic: 13 Jan 1949 to 9 Jun 1955)
• Joseph Klemann, O.S.F.S. † (Vicar Apostolic: 24 Feb 1931 to 10 Nov 1942)
• Stanislao von Krolikowski, O.S.F.S. † (Prefect: 1910 to 1923)
• Edward Francis Joseph Schlotterback, O.S.F.S. † (Vicar Apostolic: 24 Mar 1956 to 2 Oct 1989)