Archdiocese of Matera-Irsina

Archidioecesis Materanensis-Montis Pelusii

Bishop(s)

Salvatore Ligorio, Archbishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Archdiocese
Name Changed: 30 September 1986
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Potenza-Muro Lucano-Marsico Nuovo
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Italy
Square Kilometers: 2,020 (780 Square Miles)
Conference Region: Basilcata
Official Web Site: http://www.webdiocesi.chiesacattolica.it/cci_new/vis_diocesi.jsp?idDiocesi=112
Mailing Address: Piazza Duomo 7, 75100 Matera, Italia
Telephone: 0835.33.20.12
Fax: 0835.33.52.01

Historical Details

Archdiocese of Matera
- Latin Name: Materanensis
- Split: 2 July 1954
- Country: Italy
Diocese of Matera
- Latin Name: Materanensis
- Elevated: 21 August 1976
- Country: Italy
Diocese of Matera e Irsina
- Latin Name: Materanensis et Montis Pelusii
- United: 11 October 1976
- Country: Italy
Archdiocese of Matera e Irsina
- Latin Name: Materanensis et Montis Pelusii
- Elevated: 3 December 1977
- Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Potenza e Marsico Nuovo
- Country: Italy

Past and Present Ordinaries

Giacomo Palombella † (2 Jul 1954 Appointed - 12 Jun 1974 Retired)
Michele Giordano † (12 Jun 1974 Appointed - 9 May 1987 Appointed, Archbishop of Napoli {Naples})
Ennio Appignanesi (21 Jan 1988 Appointed - 19 Jan 1993 Appointed, Archbishop of Potenza-Muro Lucano-Marsico Nuovo)
Antonio Ciliberti (6 May 1993 Appointed - 31 Jan 2003 Appointed, Archbishop of Catanzaro-Squillace)
Salvatore Ligorio (20 Mar 2004 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Archdiocese of Matera
2 July 1954	Split	Archdiocese of Acerenza-Matera	Archdiocese of Acerenza Archdiocese of Matera
Diocese of Matera
21 August 1976	Elevated	Archdiocese of Matera	Diocese of Matera (Archdiocese to Diocese)
Diocese of Matera e Irsina
11 October 1976	United	Diocese of Gravina-Irsina Diocese of Matera	Diocese of Matera e Irsina
Archdiocese of Matera e Irsina
3 December 1977	Elevated	Diocese of Matera e Irsina	Archdiocese of Matera e Irsina
Archdiocese of Matera-Irsina
30 September 1986	Name Changed	Archdiocese of Matera e Irsina	Archdiocese of Matera-Irsina

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

Archdiocese of Matera

1970 136,764 .0% 94 31 125 0 34 62 39 ap1971

Diocese of Matera

Diocese of Matera e Irsina

Archdiocese of Matera e Irsina

1980 138,900 139,900 99.3% 54 32 86 1,615 2 34 143 50 ap1981

Archdiocese of Matera-Irsina

1990 139,000 141,800 98.0% 56 30 86 1,616 32 113 50 ap1991

1999 140,600 141,653 99.3% 64 19 83 1,693 22 81 51 ap2000

2000 140,600 141,653 99.3% 73 19 92 1,528 21 81 51 ap2001

2001 140,600 141,653 99.3% 80 15 95 1,480 17 81 51 ap2002

2002 140,000 140,899 99.4% 69 15 84 1,666 1 18 63 52 ap2003

2003 140,000 140,899 99.4% 72 20 92 1,521 1 23 61 52 ap2004

2004 140,000 140,899 99.4% 74 20 94 1,489 1 23 61 52 ap2005

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Archdiocese of Matera
1970		136,764	.0%	94	31	125	0		34	62	39	ap1971
Diocese of Matera
Diocese of Matera e Irsina
Archdiocese of Matera e Irsina
1980	138,900	139,900	99.3%	54	32	86	1,615	2	34	143	50	ap1981
Archdiocese of Matera-Irsina
1990	139,000	141,800	98.0%	56	30	86	1,616		32	113	50	ap1991
1999	140,600	141,653	99.3%	64	19	83	1,693		22	81	51	ap2000
2000	140,600	141,653	99.3%	73	19	92	1,528		21	81	51	ap2001
2001	140,600	141,653	99.3%	80	15	95	1,480		17	81	51	ap2002
2002	140,000	140,899	99.4%	69	15	84	1,666	1	18	63	52	ap2003
2003	140,000	140,899	99.4%	72	20	92	1,521	1	23	61	52	ap2004
2004	140,000	140,899	99.4%	74	20	94	1,489	1	23	61	52	ap2005

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Ennio Appignanesi (Archbishop: 21 Jan 1988 to 19 Jan 1993)
Antonio Ciliberti (Archbishop: 6 May 1993 to 31 Jan 2003)
Salvatore Ligorio (Archbishop: 20 Mar 2004 - )

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Michele Giordano † (Auxiliary Bishop: 23 Dec 1971; Archbishop: 12 Jun 1974; Archbishop (Personal Title): 11 Oct 1976; Archbishop: 3 Dec 1977 to 9 May 1987)
Giacomo Palombella † (Archbishop: 2 Jul 1954 to 12 Jun 1974)