Diocese of Lezhë {Lesh}

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Bishop(s) Ottavio Vitale, R.C.J., Bishop

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Shkodrë-Pult Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Albania Square Kilometers: 750 (289 Square Miles) Mailing Address: Ipeshkvnia, Rruga e Kalasë Ish Dega Ustarake, Lezhë, Shqipëria Telephone: (355)215.49.21

Historical Details

• Diocese of Alessio (Alise)
  • Latin Name: Alexiensis
  • Erected: 14th Century
  • Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Shkodrë-Pult
  • Country: Albania

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Gabriele Barissich Bosniese, O.F.M. † (19 Sep 1826 Appointed - )
• Giovanni Topich, O.F.M. † (19 Jan 1842 Appointed - 1853 Died)
• Luigi Ciurcia, O.F.M. † (27 Sep 1853 Appointed - 4 Jun 1858 Appointed, Coadjutor Bishop of Shkodrë)
• Paolo Dodmassei † (2 May 1858 Appointed - )
• Francesco Malczynski † (24 May 1870 Appointed - 1908 Died)
• Luigi Bumci † (18 Sep 1911 Appointed - 1943 Resigned)
• Luigi Bumei † (18 Sep 1911 Appointed - )
• Francesco Gjini † (4 Jan 1946 Appointed - 1949 Died)
• Ottavio Vitale, R.C.J. (23 Nov 2005 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Diocese of Alessio (Alise)
14th Century	Erected		Diocese of Alessio (Alise) (erected)
Diocese of Lezhë {Lesh}

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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
Diocese of Lezhë {Lesh}
1970	12,033			7	2	9	1,337				12	ap1971
1999	55,000	66,000	83.3%	2	5	7	7,857		8	19	11	ap2000
2000	60,000	70,000	85.7%	1	6	7	8,571		11	6	11	ap2001
2001	80,000	100,000	80.0%	4	7	11	7,272		12	8	9	ap2002
2002	85,000	120,000	70.8%	4	8	12	7,083		16	9	15	ap2003
2003	85,000	120,000	70.8%	4	8	12	7,083		15	9	14	ap2004
2004	85,000	120,000	70.8%	4	9	13	6,538		11	13	13	ap2005

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

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Affiliated Bishops, Living

• Ottavio Vitale, R.C.J. (Apostolic Administrator: 5 Feb 2000; Bishop: 23 Nov 2005 - )

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Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• Gabriele Barissich Bosniese, O.F.M. † (Bishop: 19 Sep 1826)
• Luigi Bumci † (Bishop: 18 Sep 1911 to 1943)
• Luigi Bumei † (Bishop: 18 Sep 1911)
• Luigi Ciurcia, O.F.M. † (Bishop: 27 Sep 1853 to 4 Jun 1858)
• Paolo Dodmassei † (Bishop: 2 May 1858)
• Francesco Gjini † (Bishop: 4 Jan 1946 to 1949)
• Francesco Malczynski † (Bishop: 24 May 1870 to 1908)
• Giovanni Topich, O.F.M. † (Bishop: 19 Jan 1842 to 1853)