Diocese of Vilkaviškis

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Bishop(s) Rimantas Norvila, Bishop Juozas Žemaitis, M.I.C., Bishop Emeritus

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Erected: 4 April 1926 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Kaunas Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Lithuania Official Web Site: http://vilkaviskis.lcn.lt/ Mailing Address: Kriauciuno 17, 4520 Marijampole, Lietuva Telephone: (43)53.231 Fax: 53.552

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Antonio Karas (Karosas) † (5 Apr 1926 Appointed - 7 Jul 1947 Died)
• Juozas Žemaitis, M.I.C. (24 Dec 1991 Appointed - 5 Jan 2002 Retired)
• Rimantas Norvila (5 Jan 2002 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
4 April 1926	Erected		Diocese of Vilkaviškis (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	350,000	365,000	95.9%							101	ap1951
1970				127		127	0				94	ap1971
1980				111		111	0				94	ap1981
1990	351,400			114		114	3,082	1			100	ap1991
1999	400,200	443,000	90.3%	110	13	123	3,253	1	15	80	103	ap2000
2000	400,200	443,000	90.3%	109	9	118	3,391		11	80	103	ap2001
2001	400,200	443,000	90.3%	112	8	120	3,335		14	95	103	ap2002
2002	400,200	443,000	90.3%	116	7	123	3,253		13	94	103	ap2003
2003	398,800	442,900	90.0%	113	8	121	3,295		11	81	103	ap2004
2004	382,400	403,000	94.9%	113	8	121	3,160		10	93	103	ap2005

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

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Affiliated Bishops, Living

• Vladas Michelevicius (Auxiliary Bishop: 13 Nov 1986 to 10 Mar 1989)
• Rimantas Norvila (Bishop: 5 Jan 2002)
• Juozas Preikšas (Priest: 23 Sep 1951; Auxiliary Bishop: 31 Oct 1984 to 31 Oct 1984; Apostolic Administrator: 27 Apr 1988 to 2 Apr 1989)
• Juozas Žemaitis, M.I.C. (Apostolic Administrator: 10 Mar 1989; Bishop: 24 Dec 1991 to 5 Jan 2002)

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Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• Antonio Karas (Karosas) † (Bishop: 5 Apr 1926 to 7 Jul 1947)
• Vincenzo Padolskis † (Auxiliary Bishop: 18 Jul 1940; Coadjutor Bishop: Jul 1944 to 1950)
• Liudas Povilonis, M.I.C. † (Coadjutor Apostolic Administrator: 7 Jul 1973; Apostolic Administrator: 28 May 1979 to 27 Apr 1988)