<?xml version="1.0"?>
<diocese>
<name>Diocese of León en Nicaragua</name>
<latinname>Dioecesis Leonensis in Nicaragua</latinname>
<bishops>
<bishop>César Bosco Vivas Robelo, Bishop</bishop>
</bishops>
<information>
<info>Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese</info>
<info>Erected: 3 November1534</info>
<info>Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Managua</info>
<info>Rite: Latin (or Roman)</info>
<info>Country: Nicaragua</info>
<info>Square Kilometers: 9,862 (3,809 Square Miles)</info>
<info>Description: León and Chinandega</info>
<info>Mailing Address: Apartado 86, León, Nicaragua</info>
<info>Telephone: (0311)4820</info>
<info>Fax: 1132</info>
</information>
<pastordinaries>
<ordinary>Venerable Diego Alvarez de Osorio † (20 Apr 1531 Appointed - May 1536 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Francisco de Mendavia, O.S.H. † (3 Aug 1537 Appointed - 6 Oct 1540 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Antonio de Valdivieso, O.P. † (29 Feb 1544 Appointed - 26 Feb 1549 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Fernando González de Bariodero † (18 Dec 1555 Appointed - )</ordinary>
<ordinary>Lázaro Carrasco † ( 1556 Appointed - 20 Nov 1562 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Luís de la Fuente (Fuentes) † (4 Oct 1564 Appointed - Dec 1566 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Pedro Gómez (Fernández) de Córdoba, O.S.H. † (2 Jun 1568 Appointed - 18 Jun 1574 Appointed, Bishop of
Guatemala (Santiago de Guatemala))</ordinary>
<ordinary>Antonio de Zayas, O.F.M. † (19 Jan 1575 Appointed - 8 Mar 1582 Resigned)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Domingo de Ulloa, O.P. † (4 Feb 1585 Appointed - 9 Dec 1591 Appointed, Bishop of Popayán)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Jerónimo de Escobar, O.S.A. † (27 Jul 1592 Appointed - 19 Mar 1593 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Alfonso de la Mota y Escobar † (31 Mar 1594 Appointed - 1595 Resigned)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Juan Antonio Diaz de Salcedo, O.F.M. † (28 Jul 1597 Appointed - 1603 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Pedro de Villarreal † (22 Oct 1603 Appointed - 1619 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Benito Rodriguez de Valtodano (Baltodano), O.S.B. † (27 Aug 1620 Appointed - 1629 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Agustin de Hinojosa y Montalvo, O.F.M. † (22 Mar 1630 Appointed - 5 Jul 1631 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Juan Barahona Zapata del Águila † (3 Dec 1631 Appointed - 19 Nov 1632 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Fernando Núñez Sagredo, O.SS.T. † (14 Mar 1633 Appointed - 31 May 1639 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Alonso de Briceño, O.F.M. † (14 Nov 1644 Appointed - 15 Sep 1653 Resigned)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Tomás Manso, O.F.M. † (20 Nov 1658 Appointed - 1659 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Juan de la Torre, O.F.M. † (26 Mar 1662 Appointed - )</ordinary>
<ordinary>Alfonso Bravo de Laguna, O.F.M. † (Jul 1664 Appointed - 9 Jun 1674 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Andrés de las Navas y Quevedo, O. de M. † (13 Dec 1677 Appointed - 15 Jun 1682 Appointed, Bishop of Guatemala (Santiago de Guatemala))</ordinary>
<ordinary>Juan de Rojas y Asúa, O. de M. † (1 Jun 1682 Appointed - 25 Nov 1685 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Nicolás Delgado, O.F.M. † (3 Jul 1687 Appointed - 25 Nov 1698 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Diego Morcillo Rubio de Suñón de Robledo, O.SS.T. † (21 Nov 1701 Appointed - 14 May 1708 Appointed, Bishop of
La Paz)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Juan Benito Garret y Arlovi, O. Praem. † (28 Jun 1708 Appointed - 7 Oct 1716 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Andrés Quiles Galindo, O.F.M. † (9 Feb 1718 Appointed - 2 Jul 1719 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>José Xirón de Alvarado, O.P. † (5 Sep 1721 Appointed - 21 Jun 1724 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Francisco Dionisio de Villavicencio, O.S.A. † ( 1726 Ordained Bishop - 25 Dec 1735 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Domingo Antonio de Zatarain † (27 Nov 1736 Appointed - 6 Feb 1741 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Isidoro Marín Bullón y Figueroa † (2 Dec 1743 Appointed - 19 Jul 1748 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Pedro Agustín Morell de Santa Cruz y Lora † (20 Oct 1749 Appointed - 30 Mar 1753 Appointed, Bishop of Santiago de Cuba)</ordinary>
<ordinary>José Antonio Flores de Rivera † (23 Jul 1753 Appointed - 21 Jun 1756 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Mateo de Navia Bolaños y Moscoso, O.S.A. † (26 Sep 1757 Appointed - 2 Feb 1762 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Juan Carlos de Vilches y Cabrera † (31 Oct 1763 Appointed - 14 Apr 1774 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Esteban Lorenzo de Tristán y Esmenota † (11 Sep 1775 Appointed - 15 Dec 1783 Appointed, Bishop of Durango)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Juan Félix de Villegas † (14 Feb 1785 Appointed - 23 Sep 1793 Appointed, Archbishop of Guatemala)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Juan Cruz Ruiz de Cabañas y Crespo † (12 Sep 1794 Appointed - 18 Dec 1795 Appointed, Bishop of Guadalajara)</ordinary>
<ordinary>José Antonio de la Huerta Caso † (24 Jul 1797 Appointed - 25 May 1803 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Felipe Antonio (Juan José) Pérez del Notario † (26 Aug 1803 Appointed - 15 May 1806 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Nicolás García Jerez, O.P. † (17 Nov 1806 Appointed - 31 Jul 1825 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Jorge de Viteri y Ungo † (5 Nov 1849 Appointed - 25 Jul 1853 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>José Bernardo Piñol y Aycinena † (30 Nov 1854 Appointed - 20 Sep 1867 Appointed, Archbishop of Guatemala)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Manuel Ulloa y Calvo † (20 Sep 1867 Succeeded - 27 Aug 1879 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Francisco Ulloa y Larios † (19 Oct 1880 Appointed - 7 Jul 1896 Retired)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Simeón Pereira y Castellón † (30 Jul 1902 Succeeded - 29 Jan 1921 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Agustin Nicolas Tijerino y Loáisiga † (21 Dec 1921 Appointed - 28 Mar 1945 Died)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Isidro Augusto Oviedo y Reyes † (17 Nov 1946 Appointed - 17 May 1969 Resigned)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Manuel Salazar y Espinoza † (30 Jan 1973 Appointed - 19 Dec 1981 Resigned)</ordinary>
<ordinary>Julián Luis Barni Spotti, O.F.M. † (18 Jun 1982 Appointed - 1991 Retired)</ordinary>
<ordinary>César Bosco Vivas Robelo (2 Apr1991 Appointed - )</ordinary>
</pastordinaries>
<history>
<date>3 November1534</date>
<erected>Erected</erected>
<from>Diocese of Panamá</from>
<to>Diocese of León en Nicaragua (erected)</to>
<date>11 February1547</date>
<erected>Metropolitan Changed</erected>
<from/>
<to>Diocese of León en Nicaragua (From Seville (Spain) to Lima (Peru))</to>
<date>16 December1743</date>
<erected>Metropolitan Changed</erected>
<from/>
<to>Diocese of León en Nicaragua (From Lima (Peru) to Guatemala (Guatemala))</to>
<date>28 February1850</date>
<erected>Territory Lost</erected>
<from>Diocese of León en Nicaragua</from>
<to>Diocese of San José de Costa Rica (erected) (Costa Rica)</to>
<date>2 December1913</date>
<erected>Territory Lost</erected>
<from>Diocese of León en Nicaragua</from>
<to>Diocese of Granada (erected)</to>
<date>2 December1913</date>
<erected>Territory Lost</erected>
<from>Diocese of León en Nicaragua</from>
<to>Archdiocese of Managua (erected)</to>
<date>2 December1913</date>
<erected>Metropolitan Changed</erected>
<from/>
<to>Diocese of León en Nicaragua (From Guatemala (Guatemala) to Managua (Nicaragua))</to>
<date>2 December1913</date>
<erected>Territory Lost</erected>
<from>Diocese of León en Nicaragua</from>
<to>Vicariate Apostolic of Bluefields (erected)</to>
<date>17 December1962</date>
<erected>Territory Lost</erected>
<from>Diocese of León en Nicaragua</from>
<to>Diocese of Esteli (erected)</to>
</history>
<statistics>
<data>
<year>1950</year>
<catholics>318,285</catholics>
<totalpopulation>327,974</totalpopulation>
<percentcatholics>97.0%</percentcatholics>
<diocesanpriests>39</diocesanpriests>
<religiouspriests/>
<totalpriests>65</totalpriests>
<catholicsperpriest>4,896</catholicsperpriest>
<deacons/>
<malereligious>26</malereligious>
<femalereligious>83</femalereligious>
<parishes>51</parishes>
<source>ap1951</source>
</data>
<data>
<year>1966</year>
<catholics>187,252</catholics>
<totalpopulation>187,372</totalpopulation>
<percentcatholics>99.9%</percentcatholics>
<diocesanpriests>24</diocesanpriests>
<religiouspriests/>
<totalpriests>48</totalpriests>
<catholicsperpriest>3,901</catholicsperpriest>
<deacons/>
<malereligious>35</malereligious>
<femalereligious>66</femalereligious>
<parishes>23</parishes>
<source>ap1967</source>
</data>
<data>
<year>1968</year>
<catholics>274,720</catholics>
<totalpopulation>278,675</totalpopulation>
<percentcatholics>98.6%</percentcatholics>
<diocesanpriests>27</diocesanpriests>
<religiouspriests/>
<totalpriests>47</totalpriests>
<catholicsperpriest>5,845</catholicsperpriest>
<deacons/>
<malereligious>32</malereligious>
<femalereligious>66</femalereligious>
<parishes>18</parishes>
<source>ap1971</source>
</data>
<data>
<year>1976</year>
<catholics>332,700</catholics>
<totalpopulation>390,000</totalpopulation>
<percentcatholics>85.3%</percentcatholics>
<diocesanpriests>22</diocesanpriests>
<religiouspriests/>
<totalpriests>40</totalpriests>
<catholicsperpriest>8,317</catholicsperpriest>
<deacons/>
<malereligious>35</malereligious>
<femalereligious>46</femalereligious>
<parishes>32</parishes>
<source>ap1977</source>
</data>
<data>
<year>1999</year>
<catholics>619,082</catholics>
<totalpopulation>728,332</totalpopulation>
<percentcatholics>85.0%</percentcatholics>
<diocesanpriests>53</diocesanpriests>
<religiouspriests/>
<totalpriests>64</totalpriests>
<catholicsperpriest>9,673</catholicsperpriest>
<deacons>2</deacons>
<malereligious>20</malereligious>
<femalereligious>90</femalereligious>
<parishes>41</parishes>
<source>ap2000</source>
</data>
<data>
<year>2000</year>
<catholics>629,000</catholics>
<totalpopulation>739,000</totalpopulation>
<percentcatholics>85.1%</percentcatholics>
<diocesanpriests>49</diocesanpriests>
<religiouspriests/>
<totalpriests>60</totalpriests>
<catholicsperpriest>10,483</catholicsperpriest>
<deacons>4</deacons>
<malereligious>20</malereligious>
<femalereligious>90</femalereligious>
<parishes>41</parishes>
<source>ap2001</source>
</data>
<data>
<year>2001</year>
<catholics>667,000</catholics>
<totalpopulation>784,318</totalpopulation>
<percentcatholics>85.0%</percentcatholics>
<diocesanpriests>55</diocesanpriests>
<religiouspriests/>
<totalpriests>66</totalpriests>
<catholicsperpriest>10,106</catholicsperpriest>
<deacons>2</deacons>
<malereligious>20</malereligious>
<femalereligious>93</femalereligious>
<parishes>43</parishes>
<source>ap2002</source>
</data>
<data>
<year>2002</year>
<catholics>673,000</catholics>
<totalpopulation>791,000</totalpopulation>
<percentcatholics>85.1%</percentcatholics>
<diocesanpriests>58</diocesanpriests>
<religiouspriests/>
<totalpriests>70</totalpriests>
<catholicsperpriest>9,614</catholicsperpriest>
<deacons>2</deacons>
<malereligious>21</malereligious>
<femalereligious>96</femalereligious>
<parishes>43</parishes>
<source>ap2003</source>
</data>
<data>
<year>2003</year>
<catholics>667,000</catholics>
<totalpopulation>784,318</totalpopulation>
<percentcatholics>85.0%</percentcatholics>
<diocesanpriests>59</diocesanpriests>
<religiouspriests/>
<totalpriests>72</totalpriests>
<catholicsperpriest>9,263</catholicsperpriest>
<deacons>4</deacons>
<malereligious>22</malereligious>
<femalereligious>96</femalereligious>
<parishes>47</parishes>
<source>ap2004</source>
</data>
<data>
<year>2004</year>
<catholics>667,000</catholics>
<totalpopulation>784,318</totalpopulation>
<percentcatholics>85.0%</percentcatholics>
<diocesanpriests>59</diocesanpriests>
<religiouspriests/>
<totalpriests>70</totalpriests>
<catholicsperpriest>9,528</catholicsperpriest>
<deacons>4</deacons>
<malereligious>20</malereligious>
<femalereligious>96</femalereligious>
<parishes>47</parishes>
<source>ap2005</source>
</data>
</statistics>
</diocese>
