Vicariate Apostolic of Puerto Ayacucho

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Bishop(s) José Angel Divassón Cilveti, S.D.B., Vicar Apostolic

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Vicariate Apostolic Elevated: 7 May 1953 Vicariate Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Venezuela Square Kilometers: 180,000 (69,525 Square Miles) Mailing Address: Avenida Rio Negro 30, Puerto Ayacucho, T.F.A., Venezuela Telephone: (048) 21-0344; 21-1310 Fax: 21-0721

Historical Details

• Prefecture Apostolic of Alto Orinoco
  • Latin Name: de Alto Orinoco
  • Erected: 5 February 1932
  • Country: Venezuela

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Enrico de Ferrari, S.D.B. † (14 Nov 1932 Appointed - 3 Aug 1945 Died)
• Cosma Alterio, S.D.B. † (31 Jan 1947 Appointed - 1950 Died)
• Segundo García Fernández, S.D.B. † (21 Aug 1950 Appointed - 5 Oct 1974 Resigned)
• Enzo Ceccarelli Catraro, S.D.B. † (5 Oct 1974 Appointed - 23 Oct 1989 Resigned)
• Antonio Ignacio Velasco Garcia, S.D.B. † (23 Oct 1989 Appointed - 27 May 1995 Appointed, Archbishop of Caracas, Santiago de Venezuela)
• José Angel Divassón Cilveti, S.D.B. (23 Feb 1996 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Alto Orinoco
5 February 1932	Erected		Prefecture Apostolic of Alto Orinoco (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Puerto Ayacucho
7 May 1953	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Alto Orinoco	Vicariate Apostolic of Puerto Ayacucho

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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
Prefecture Apostolic of Alto Orinoco
1950	8,000	23,000	34.8%		10	10	800		15	4	3	ap1951
Vicariate Apostolic of Puerto Ayacucho
1965	30	861	3.5%		17	17	1		31	16	7	ap1967
1970	14,500	30,000	48.3%		18	18	805		26	24		ap1971
1976	18,250	29,500	61.9%		23	23	793		32	26	7	ap1977
1980	21,500	36,100	59.6%		23	23	934		32	33	7	ap1981
1990	44,800	78,000	57.4%		24	24	1,866		32	47	10	ap1991
1999	100,000	150,000	66.7%		25	25	4,000		30	52	9	ap2000
2000	110,000	160,000	68.8%		25	25	4,400		29	47	9	ap2001
2001	115,000	170,000	67.6%	2	23	25	4,600		25	45	9	ap2002
2002	120,000	185,000	64.9%	2	25	27	4,444		28	47	9	ap2003
2003	120,000	180,000	66.7%	2	24	26	4,615		28	46	9	ap2004
2004	150,000	200,000	75.0%	4	23	27	5,555	4	25	46	9	ap2005

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

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Affiliated Bishops

• Cosma Alterio, S.D.B. † (Prefect: 31 Jan 1947 to 1950)
• Enzo Ceccarelli Catraro, S.D.B. † (Vicar Apostolic: 5 Oct 1974 to 23 Oct 1989)
• José Angel Divassón Cilveti, S.D.B. (Vicar Apostolic: 23 Feb 1996)
• Enrico de Ferrari, S.D.B. † (Prefect: 14 Nov 1932 to 3 Aug 1945)
• Segundo García Fernández, S.D.B. † (Prefect: 21 Aug 1950; Vicar Apostolic: 7 May 1953 to 5 Oct 1974)
• Antonio Ignacio Velasco Garcia, S.D.B. † (Vicar Apostolic: 23 Oct 1989 to 27 May 1995)