Diocese of Toamasina

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Bishop(s) René Joseph Rakotondrabé, Bishop

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Name Changed: 31 January 1990 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Antsiranana Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Madagascar Square Kilometers: 23,690 (9,150 Square Miles) Mailing Address: 11 Rue du Commerce, B.P. 98, Toamasina 501, Madagascar Telephone: (05)53.321.28

Historical Details

• Prefecture Apostolic of Vatomandry
  • Erected: 18 June 1935
  • Country: Madagascar

• Vicariate Apostolic of Tamatave
  • Latin Name: Tamatavensis
  • Elevated: 25 May 1939
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Madagascar

• Diocese of Tamatave
  • Latin Name: Tamatavensis
  • Elevated: 14 September 1955
  • Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Antsiranana
  • Country: Madagascar

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Alain-Sébastien Le Breton, S.M.M. † (8 Oct 1935 Appointed - 15 Mar 1957 Resigned)
• Jules-Joseph Puset, P.S.S. † (14 Nov 1957 Appointed - 25 Mar 1972 Resigned)
• Jérôme Razafindrazaka † (25 Mar 1972 Appointed - 15 May 1989 Retired)
• René Joseph Rakotondrabé (15 May 1989 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Vatomandry
18 June 1935	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Fianarantsoa Vicariate Apostolic of Tananarive	Prefecture Apostolic of Vatomandry (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Tamatave
25 May 1939	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Vatomandry	Vicariate Apostolic of Tamatave
Diocese of Tamatave
14 September 1955	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Tamatave	Diocese of Tamatave
9 April 1968	Territory Lost	Archdiocese of Fianarantsoa Diocese of Tamatave	Diocese of Mananjary (erected)
Diocese of Toamasina
31 January 1990	Name Changed	Diocese of Tamatave	Diocese of Toamasina

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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
Vicariate Apostolic of Tamatave
1950	41,849	371,500	11.3%		36	36	1,162		62	37	2	ap1951
Diocese of Tamatave
1970	74,009	480,169	15.4%	4	51	55	1,345		59	65	6	ap1971
1980	88,237	565,000	15.6%	7	32	39	2,262		53	41	7	ap1981
1990	84,240	622,517	13.5%	8	35	43	1,959		55	87	14	ap1991
Diocese of Toamasina
1999	299,000	1,300,000	23.0%	5	24	29	10,310		44	57	22	ap2000
2000	304,980	1,326,000	23.0%	9	32	41	7,438		42	57	22	ap2001
2001	450,000	1,620,000	27.8%	13	41	54	8,333		63	57	23	ap2002
2002	500,000	1,730,000	28.9%	14	26	40	12,500		50	60	20	ap2003
2003	520,000	1,740,000	29.9%	14	39	53	9,811		60	59	23	ap2004
2004	600,000	1,800,000	33.3%	14	32	46	13,043		65	60	23	ap2005

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

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Affiliated Bishops

• Alain-Sébastien Le Breton, S.M.M. † (Prefect: 8 Oct 1935; Vicar Apostolic: 25 May 1939; Bishop: 14 Sep 1955 to 15 Mar 1957)
• Jules-Joseph Puset, P.S.S. † (Bishop: 14 Nov 1957 to 25 Mar 1972)
• René Joseph Rakotondrabé (Bishop: 15 May 1989)
• Jérôme Razafindrazaka † (Bishop: 25 Mar 1972 to 15 May 1989)