Asunción (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Adalberto Martínez Flores, Cardinal, Archbishop
Edmundo Ponziano Valenzuela Mellid, S.D.B., Archbishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Archdiocese
Elevated: 1 May 1929
Metropolitan See
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Paraguay
Square Kilometers: 2,582 (997 Square Miles)
Official Web Site: https://arzobispado.org.py
Mailing Address: Arzobispado, Avda. Mariscal Francisco Solano Lopez 130, esq. Independencia Nacional, Asuncion, Paraguay
Telephone: (021) 44-5551; 44-4150
Fax: (same)

Past and Present Ordinaries

Juan de los Barrios, O.F.M. Obs. † (1 Jul 1547 Appointed - 2 Apr 1552 Appointed, Bishop of Santa Marta)
Pedro de la Torre, O.F.M. Obs. † (27 Aug 1554 Appointed - 1573 Died)
Juan del Campo, O.F.M. Obs. † (27 Mar 1577 Appointed - )
Alfonso Guerra, O.P. † (6 Feb 1579 Appointed - 9 Mar 1592 Appointed, Bishop of Michoacán)
Thomas Vásquez de Liaño † (18 Dec 1596 Appointed - 28 Dec 1599 Died)
Martín Ignacio de Loyola, O.F.M. Obs. † (19 Nov 1601 Appointed - 9 Jun 1606 Died)
Reginaldo de Lizárraga, O.P. † (20 Jul 1609 Appointed - 10 Nov 1609 Died)
Lorenzo Pérez de Grado † (16 Sep 1615 Appointed - 18 Mar 1619 Appointed, Bishop of Cuzco)
Tomás de la Torre Gibaja, O.P. † (30 Mar 1620 Appointed - 11 Dec 1628 Confirmed, Bishop of Córdoba (Tucumán))
Cristóbal de Aresti Martínez de Aguilar, O.S.B. † (12 Feb 1629 Appointed - 3 Dec 1635 Appointed, Bishop of Buenos Aires)
Francisco de la Serna y Rimaga Salazar, O.E.S.A. † (17 Dec 1635 Appointed - 14 Jun 1638 Appointed, Bishop of Popayán)
Bernardino de Cárdenas Ponce, O.F.M. † (13 Aug 1640 Appointed - 7 Jun 1666 Appointed, Bishop of Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
Gabriel de Guilléstegui, O.F.M. † (15 Dec 1666 Appointed - 1 Sep 1670 Appointed, Bishop of La Paz)
Ferdinandus de Valcácer † (16 May 1672 Confirmed - )
Faustino Casas Hernández, O. de M. † (17 Dec 1674 Appointed - 2 Aug 1686 Died)
Sebastián de Pastrana, O. de M. † (24 Aug 1693 Appointed - 4 Nov 1700 Died)
Pedro Díaz de Durana † (10 Mar 1704 Appointed - 1718 Died)
José Luis Palos Bord, O.F.M. † ( 1724 Succeeded - 4 Apr 1738 Died)
José Cayetano Paravicino, O.F.M. † (16 Nov 1738 Appointed - 4 Sep 1747 Confirmed, Bishop of Trujillo)
Bernardo José Pérez de Oblitas † (4 Sep 1747 Confirmed - 7 Apr 1756 Appointed, Bishop of Santa Cruz de la Sierra)
Manuel Antonio de la Torre † (24 May 1756 Confirmed - 14 Jun 1762 Appointed, Bishop of Buenos Aires)
Emmanuel López de Espinosa † (20 Dec 1762 Appointed - 1770 Died)
Juan José Priego y Caro, O.P. † (14 Dec 1772 Appointed - 1779 Died)
Luis Velasco y Maeda, O.F.M. Obs. † (12 Jul 1779 Appointed - 15 Jun 1792 Died)
Lorenzo Suarez de Cantillana † (18 Dec 1797 Appointed - 22 Jan 1799 Died)
Nicolás Videla del Pino † (9 Aug 1802 Appointed - 23 Mar 1807 Confirmed, Bishop of Salta)
Pedro García de Panés, O.F.M. Obs. † (23 Mar 1807 Appointed - 13 Oct 1838 Died)
Basilio López † (22 Jul 1844 Appointed - 16 Jan 1859 Died)
Juan Gregorio Urbieta † (23 Mar 1860 Appointed - 17 Jan 1865 Died)
Manuel Antonio Palacios † (17 Jan 1865 Succeeded - 21 Dec 1868 Died)
Pedro Juan Aponte † (24 Jul 1879 Appointed - 14 Sep 1891 Died)
Juan Sinforiano Bogarín † (21 Sep 1894 Appointed - 25 Feb 1949 Died)
Juan José Aníbal Mena Porta † (25 Feb 1949 Succeeded - 16 Jun 1970 Retired)
Ismael Blas Rolón Silvero, S.D.B. † (16 Jun 1970 Appointed - 20 May 1989 Retired)
Felipe Santiago Benitez Avalos † (20 May 1989 Appointed - 15 Jun 2002 Retired)
Eustaquio Pastor Cuquejo Verga, C.SS.R. † (15 Jun 2002 Appointed - 6 Nov 2014 Retired)
Edmundo Ponziano Valenzuela Mellid, S.D.B. (6 Nov 2014 Succeeded - 17 Feb 2022 Retired)
Adalberto Martínez Flores (17 Feb 2022 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Diocese of Paraguay (o Ssma Assunzione)
1 July 1547	Erected	Diocese of Cuzco	Diocese of Paraguay (o Ssma Assunzione) (erected)
6 April 1620	Territory Lost	Diocese of Paraguay (o Ssma Assunzione)	Diocese of Buenos Aires (erected)
1 May 1929	Territory Lost	Diocese of Paraguay (o Ssma Assunzione) Prefecture Apostolic of Pilcomayo	Diocese of Concepción y Chaco (erected)
1 May 1929	Territory Lost	Diocese of Paraguay (o Ssma Assunzione)	Diocese of Villarrica (erected)
Archdiocese of Asunción
1 May 1929	Elevated	Diocese of Paraguay (o Ssma Assunzione)	Archdiocese of Asunción
19 January 1957	Territory Lost	Archdiocese of Asunción (Villa Oliva, Alberdi, and Villa Franca (all in Neembucus)) Diocese of Villarrica (Misiones (S. Juan Bautista, Ayolas, S. Ignacio, Santa María, S. Miguel, S. Patricio, S. Rosa, Santiago, Villa Florida) and parts of Neembucú (Pilar, Cerrito, Desmochados, General Díaz, Guazucuá, Humaita, Isla Umbú, Laureles, Paso de Patria, Pedro ...)	Diocese of San Juan Bautista de las Misiones (erected)
2 August 1960	Territory Lost	Archdiocese of Asunción Diocese of Concepción (Santissima Concezione) en Paraguay	Territorial Prelature of Caacupé (erected)
5 June 1978	Territory Lost	Archdiocese of Asunción (Departamento Paraguarí)	Diocese of Carapeguá (erected)
18 May 2000	Territory Lost	Archdiocese of Asunción (Capiatá, Guarambaré, Inmaculada Concepción de Posta Ibycuá, Itá, Itauguá, Nueva Italia, Nemby, San Antonio, San Lorenzo, San Miguel de Posta Leiva, Santo Domingo Savio, Villeta, Yparacaí, and Ypané)	Diocese of San Lorenzo (erected)

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 Asunción

1950 695,000 700,000 99.3% 44 70 114 6,096 70 180 44 ap1951

1959 686,000 712,000 96.3% 73 75 148 4,635 112 293 48 ap1960

1966 501,880 550,880 91.1% 77 128 205 2,448 125 310 49 ap1967

1968 501,880 550,880 91.1% 86 86 5,835 48 ap1971

1976 672,165 746,850 90.0% 71 114 185 3,633 212 409 69 ap1977

1980 735,764 817,516 90.0% 63 140 203 3,624 209 460 66 ap1981

1990 1,164,318 1,293,687 90.0% 74 165 239 4,871 332 572 79 ap1991

1999 919,000 1,483,000 62.0% 71 30 101 9,099 45 213 568 73 ap2000

2000 1,100,000 1,348,951 81.5% 53 67 120 9,166 34 398 647 60 ap2001

2001 774,000 1,602,173 48.3% 136 218 354 2,186 51 456 1,386 73 ap2002

2002 1,365,000 2,825,000 48.3% 141 218 359 3,802 51 465 1,438 83 ap2003

2003 1,350,000 1,500,000 90.0% 139 537 676 1,997 51 726 1,423 72 ap2004

2004 1,350,000 1,500,000 90.0% 124 537 661 2,042 57 679 1,423 72 ap2005

2006 1,419,000 1,577,000 90.0% 128 537 665 2,133 64 782 1,447 64 ap2007

2012 1,585,000 1,750,000 90.6% 61 170 231 6,861 65 408 485 76 ap2013

2015 1,664,000 1,839,000 90.5% 81 170 251 6,629 96 564 480 76 ap2016

2018 1,743,490 1,927,010 90.5% 81 295 376 4,636 96 677 480 97 ap2019

2020 1,793,870 1,982,670 90.5% 81 295 376 4,770 130 767 515 97 ap2021

2022 1,841,000 2,037,000 90.4% 79 295 374 4,922 141 797 460 100 ap2023

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 Asunción
1950	695,000	700,000	99.3%	44	70	114	6,096		70	180	44	ap1951
1959	686,000	712,000	96.3%	73	75	148	4,635		112	293	48	ap1960
1966	501,880	550,880	91.1%	77	128	205	2,448		125	310	49	ap1967
1968	501,880	550,880	91.1%	86		86	5,835				48	ap1971
1976	672,165	746,850	90.0%	71	114	185	3,633		212	409	69	ap1977
1980	735,764	817,516	90.0%	63	140	203	3,624		209	460	66	ap1981
1990	1,164,318	1,293,687	90.0%	74	165	239	4,871		332	572	79	ap1991
1999	919,000	1,483,000	62.0%	71	30	101	9,099	45	213	568	73	ap2000
2000	1,100,000	1,348,951	81.5%	53	67	120	9,166	34	398	647	60	ap2001
2001	774,000	1,602,173	48.3%	136	218	354	2,186	51	456	1,386	73	ap2002
2002	1,365,000	2,825,000	48.3%	141	218	359	3,802	51	465	1,438	83	ap2003
2003	1,350,000	1,500,000	90.0%	139	537	676	1,997	51	726	1,423	72	ap2004
2004	1,350,000	1,500,000	90.0%	124	537	661	2,042	57	679	1,423	72	ap2005
2006	1,419,000	1,577,000	90.0%	128	537	665	2,133	64	782	1,447	64	ap2007
2012	1,585,000	1,750,000	90.6%	61	170	231	6,861	65	408	485	76	ap2013
2015	1,664,000	1,839,000	90.5%	81	170	251	6,629	96	564	480	76	ap2016
2018	1,743,490	1,927,010	90.5%	81	295	376	4,636	96	677	480	97	ap2019
2020	1,793,870	1,982,670	90.5%	81	295	376	4,770	130	767	515	97	ap2021
2022	1,841,000	2,037,000	90.4%	79	295	374	4,922	141	797	460	100	ap2023

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

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Pedro Juan Aponte † (Bishop: 24 Jul 1879 to 14 Sep 1891)
Cristóbal de Aresti Martínez de Aguilar, O.S.B. † (Bishop: 12 Feb 1629 to 3 Dec 1635)
Felipe Santiago Benitez Avalos † (Priest: 7 Jun 1952; Auxiliary Bishop: 10 Aug 1961 to 4 Dec 1965; Archbishop: 20 May 1989 to 15 Jun 2002)
Juan Sinforiano Bogarín † (Bishop: 21 Sep 1894; Archbishop: 1 May 1929 to 25 Feb 1949)
Ramón Pastor Bogarín Argaña † (Auxiliary Bishop: 1 Dec 1954 to 19 Jan 1957)
Bernardino de Cárdenas Ponce, O.F.M. † (Bishop: 13 Aug 1640 to 7 Jun 1666)
Faustino Casas Hernández, O. de M. † (Bishop: 17 Dec 1674 to 2 Aug 1686)
Baltazar de Covarrubias y Múñoz, O.S.A. †
Eustaquio Pastor Cuquejo Verga, C.SS.R. † (Auxiliary Bishop: 27 Jun 1982 to 19 Apr 1990; Archbishop: 15 Jun 2002 to 6 Nov 2014)
Manuel Antonio de la Torre † (Bishop: 24 May 1756 to 14 Jun 1762)
Pedro de la Torre, O.F.M. Obs. † (Bishop: 27 Aug 1554 to 1573)
Juan del Campo, O.F.M. Obs. † (Bishop: 27 Mar 1577)
Juan de los Barrios, O.F.M. Obs. † (Bishop: 1 Jul 1547 to 2 Apr 1552)
Pedro Díaz de Durana † (Bishop: 10 Mar 1704 to 1718)
Pedro García de Panés, O.F.M. Obs. † (Bishop: 23 Mar 1807 to 13 Oct 1838)
Juan González Melgarejo † (Priest: 1710 to 28 Jan 1743)
Alfonso Guerra, O.P. † (Bishop: 6 Feb 1579 to 9 Mar 1592)
Gabriel de Guilléstegui, O.F.M. † (Bishop: 15 Dec 1666 to 1 Sep 1670)
Julio Benigno Laschi González † (Auxiliary Bishop: 2 Feb 1965 to 19 May 1969)
Francisco de la Serna y Rimaga Salazar, O.E.S.A. † (Bishop: 17 Dec 1635 to 14 Jun 1638)
Jorge Adolfo Carlos Livieres Banks † (Priest: 22 Dec 1956; Auxiliary Bishop: 12 Oct 1976 to 24 Jul 1987)
Reginaldo de Lizárraga, O.P. † (Bishop: 20 Jul 1609 to 10 Nov 1609)
Basilio López † (Bishop: 22 Jul 1844 to 16 Jan 1859)
Emmanuel López de Espinosa † (Bishop: 20 Dec 1762 to 1770)
Martín Ignacio de Loyola, O.F.M. Obs. † (Bishop: 19 Nov 1601 to 9 Jun 1606)
Marco Antonio Maiz † (Auxiliary Bishop: 25 Jul 1844 to 15 May 1848)
Aníbal Maricevich Fleitas † (Priest: 21 Nov 1943; Auxiliary Bishop: 5 Feb 1957; Coadjutor Bishop: 10 Aug 1961 to 4 Dec 1965)
Juan José Aníbal Mena Porta † (Auxiliary Bishop: 25 Jul 1936; Coadjutor Archbishop: 14 Jun 1941; Archbishop: 25 Feb 1949 to 16 Jun 1970)
Juan Moleón Andreu † (Priest: 30 Nov 1941; Auxiliary Bishop: 17 Jul 1967 to 1 Feb 1972)
Manuel Antonio Palacios † (Coadjutor Bishop: 16 Mar 1863; Bishop: 17 Jan 1865 to 21 Dec 1868)
José Luis Palos Bord, O.F.M. † (Coadjutor Bishop: 24 Sep 1721; Bishop: 1724 to 4 Apr 1738)
José Cayetano Paravicino, O.F.M. † (Bishop: 16 Nov 1738 to 4 Sep 1747)
Sebastián de Pastrana, O. de M. † (Bishop: 24 Aug 1693 to 4 Nov 1700)
Lorenzo Pérez de Grado † (Bishop: 16 Sep 1615 to 18 Mar 1619)
Bernardo José Pérez de Oblitas † (Bishop: 4 Sep 1747 to 7 Apr 1756)
Juan José Priego y Caro, O.P. † (Bishop: 14 Dec 1772 to 1779)
Ismael Blas Rolón Silvero, S.D.B. † (Archbishop: 16 Jun 1970 to 20 May 1989)
Martín de Sarricolea y Olea † (Coadjutor Bishop: 22 Jul 1720 - Did Not Take Effect)
Emilio Sosa Gaona, S.D.B. †
Lorenzo Suarez de Cantillana † (Bishop: 18 Dec 1797 to 22 Jan 1799)
Tomás de la Torre Gibaja, O.P. † (Bishop: 30 Mar 1620 to 11 Dec 1628)
Juan Gregorio Urbieta † (Priest: 7 Jul 1811; Auxiliary Bishop: 15 Dec 1856; Bishop: 23 Mar 1860 to 17 Jan 1865)
Ferdinandus de Valcácer † (Bishop: 16 May 1672)
Thomas Vásquez de Liaño † (Bishop: 18 Dec 1596 to 28 Dec 1599)
Luis Velasco y Maeda, O.F.M. Obs. † (Bishop: 12 Jul 1779 to 15 Jun 1792)
Nicolás Videla del Pino † (Bishop: 9 Aug 1802 to 23 Mar 1807)

Source(s)

Diocese of Paraguay (o Ssma Assunzione)
- Series Episcoporum Ecclesiae Catholicae, Volume 1, Page 158, to Page 159
Archdiocese of Asunción
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 22, Page 5, to Page 8

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Archdiocese of Asunción

Archidioecesis Sanctissimae Assumptionis

Bishop(s)

Suffragan Dioceses

General Information

Historical Details

Past and Present Ordinaries

Historical Summary

Statistics

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Source(s)