Diocese of Limoeiro do Norte

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Bishop(s) José Haring, O.F.M., Bishop Manuel Edmilson da Cruz, Bishop Emeritus

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Erected: 7 May 1938 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Fortaleza Rite: Latin (or Roman) State: Ceara Country: Brazil Square Kilometers: 18,316 (7,074 Square Miles) Conference Region: Nordeste 1 Mailing Address: C.P. 27, Praca Padre Acelino 381, 62930-000 Limoeiro do Norte, CE, Brazil Telephone: (088) 423-1171 Fax: 423-3222

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Aureliano de Matos † (30 Jan 1940 Appointed - 19 Aug 1967 Died)
• José Freire Falcão (19 Aug 1967 Succeeded - 25 Nov 1971 Appointed, Archbishop of Teresina)
• Pompeu Bezerra Bessa † (25 Jan 1973 Appointed - 18 May 1994 Resigned)
• Manuel Edmilson da Cruz (18 May 1994 Appointed - 6 May 1998 Retired)
• José Haring, O.F.M. (19 Jan 2000 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
7 May 1938	Erected	Archdiocese of Fortaleza	Diocese of Limoeiro do Norte (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
1950	260,000	295,000	88.1%	19	8	27	9,629		3	28	12	ap1951
1966	295,000	300,000	98.3%	29	7	36	8,194		41	6	20	ap1967
1970	304,000	305,443	99.5%	24	9	33	9,212		17	50	20	ap1971
1976	351,000	358,000	98.0%	18	6	24	14,625		11	48	19	ap1977
1980	403,000	411,000	98.1%	19	5	24	16,791		11	55	20	ap1981
1990	484,000	508,000	95.3%	18	3	21	23,047	1	10	66	19	ap1991
1999	531,000	563,000	94.3%	21	4	25	21,240		8	61	22	ap2000
2000	537,000	570,000	94.2%	20	4	24	22,375		8	61	22	ap2001
2001	435,699	484,111	90.0%	20	5	25	17,427		9	53	18	ap2002
2002	435,699	484,111	90.0%	20	2	22	19,804		5	59	18	ap2003
2003	435,699	484,111	90.0%	22	5	27	16,137		9	58	20	ap2004
2004	435,699	484,111	90.0%	21	5	26	16,757	1	8	58	20	ap2005

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

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Affiliated Bishops

• Pompeu Bezerra Bessa † (Bishop: 25 Jan 1973 to 18 May 1994)
• Manuel Edmilson da Cruz (Bishop: 18 May 1994 to 6 May 1998)
• José Freire Falcão (Priest: 19 Jun 1949; Coadjutor Bishop: 24 Apr 1967; Bishop: 19 Aug 1967 to 25 Nov 1971)
• José Haring, O.F.M. (Bishop: 19 Jan 2000 - )
• Aureliano de Matos † (Bishop: 30 Jan 1940 to 19 Aug 1967)