Diocese of Paranavaí

Dioecesis Paranavaiensis

Bishop(s)

Geremias Steinmetz, Bishop
Rubens Augusto de Souza Espínola, Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 20 January 1968
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Maringá
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
State: Parana
Country: Brazil
Square Kilometers: 8,699 (3,359 Square Miles)
Conference Region: Sul 2
Mailing Address: C.P. 453, Rua Francisco Vieira Borges 373, 87701-970 Paranavai, PR, Brazil
Telephone: (044) 423-1045

Past and Present Ordinaries

Benjamin de Souza Gomes † (11 Mar 1968 Appointed - 12 Oct 1985 Retired)
Rubens Augusto de Souza Espínola (12 Oct 1985 Appointed - 3 Dec 2003 Retired)
Sérgio Aparecido Colombo (3 Dec 2003 Appointed - 16 Sep 2009 Appointed, Bishop of Bragança Paulista, Sao Paulo)
Geremias Steinmetz (5 Jan 2011 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
20 January 1968	Erected	Diocese of Maringá	Diocese of Paranavaí (erected)

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

1970 559,810 .0% 20 10 30 0 12 17 ap1971

1976 243,200 304,000 80.0% 21 11 32 7,600 11 49 21 ap1977

1980 232,000 290,300 79.9% 30 4 34 6,823 4 46 22 ap1981

1990 264,000 295,000 89.5% 16 3 19 13,894 20 55 28 ap1991

1999 296,000 349,000 84.8% 28 8 36 8,222 8 72 29 ap2000

2000 302,000 355,000 85.1% 27 8 35 8,628 8 67 30 ap2001

2001 201,500 237,071 85.0% 30 8 38 5,302 8 68 30 ap2002

2002 201,500 237,071 85.0% 30 10 40 5,037 38 62 34 ap2003

2003 201,510 237,071 85.0% 31 10 41 4,914 39 59 34 ap2004

2004 201,510 237,071 85.0% 32 10 42 4,797 10 56 35 ap2005

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1970		559,810	.0%	20	10	30	0	12		17	ap1971
1976	243,200	304,000	80.0%	21	11	32	7,600	11	49	21	ap1977
1980	232,000	290,300	79.9%	30	4	34	6,823	4	46	22	ap1981
1990	264,000	295,000	89.5%	16	3	19	13,894	20	55	28	ap1991
1999	296,000	349,000	84.8%	28	8	36	8,222	8	72	29	ap2000
2000	302,000	355,000	85.1%	27	8	35	8,628	8	67	30	ap2001
2001	201,500	237,071	85.0%	30	8	38	5,302	8	68	30	ap2002
2002	201,500	237,071	85.0%	30	10	40	5,037	38	62	34	ap2003
2003	201,510	237,071	85.0%	31	10	41	4,914	39	59	34	ap2004
2004	201,510	237,071	85.0%	32	10	42	4,797	10	56	35	ap2005

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Sérgio Aparecido Colombo (Bishop: 3 Dec 2003 to 16 Sep 2009)
Rubens Augusto de Souza Espínola (Bishop: 12 Oct 1985 to 3 Dec 2003)
Geremias Steinmetz (Bishop: 5 Jan 2011 - )

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Elizeu de Morais Pimentel † (Coadjutor Bishop: 19 Dec 2001 to 27 Feb 2003)
Benjamin de Souza Gomes † (Bishop: 11 Mar 1968 to 12 Oct 1985)