Roman Catholic Diocese of Bethlehem in South Africa
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bethlehem (Latin: Bethlehemen(sis)) is a diocese located in the city of Bethlehem in the Ecclesiastical province of Bloemfontein in South Africa.
Diocese of Bethlehem Dioecesis Bethlehemensis | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Ecclesiastical province | Bloemfontein |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 34,965 km2 (13,500 sq mi) |
| Population - Total - Catholics (including non-members) | (as of 2006) 946,000 77,600 (8.2%) |
| Information | |
| Sui iuris church | Latin Church |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Francis |
| Bishop | Jan de Groef |
| Bishops emeritus | Hubert Bucher |
History
- February 12, 1948: Established as Apostolic Vicariate of Bethlehem from the Apostolic Vicariate of Kroonstad
- January 11, 1951: Promoted as Diocese of Bethlehem
Special churches
The Cathedral is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Bethlehem.
Bishops
- Vicars Apostolic of Bethlehem (Latin Church)
- Léon Klerlein (1948.02.12 – 1950.05.22)
- Peter Kelleter (1950.03.12 – 1951.01.11 see below)
- Bishops of Bethlehem (Latin Church)
- Peter Kelleter (see above 1951.01.11 – 1975.07.05)
- Hubert Bucher (1976.12.09 - 2008.12.31)
- Jan de Groef (since 2008.12.31)
Other priest of this diocese who became bishop
- Xolelo Thaddaeus Kumalo, appointed Bishop of Eshowe in 2008
See also
- Roman Catholicism in South Africa
References
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