Vicariate Apostolic of Beirut {Bairut}

Vicariatus Apostolicus Berytensis

Bishop(s)

César Essayan, O.F.M. Conv., Vicar Apostolic
Paul Dahdah, O.C.D., Vicar Apostolic Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Vicariate Apostolic
Erected: 4 June 1953
Vicariate
Depends on: Dicastery for the Eastern Churches
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Lebanon
Mailing Address: Vicariat Apostolique, B.P. 11-4224, Riad el Solh, Beyrouth 1107-2160, Liban
Telephone: (09)236.101

Past and Present Ordinaries

Eustace John Alexander Smith, O.F.M. † (8 Dec 1955 Appointed - 8 Sep 1973 Resigned)
Paul Bassim, O.C.D. † (8 Sep 1974 Appointed - 30 Jul 1999 Retired)
Paul Dahdah, O.C.D. (30 Jul 1999 Appointed - 2 Aug 2016 Retired)
César Essayan, O.F.M. Conv. (2 Aug 2016 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
4 June 1953	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Alep [Beroea, Halab] (Portion in Lebanon)	Vicariate Apostolic of Beirut {Bairut} (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

1969 16,000 7 223 230 69 369 1,443 8 ap1971

1980 20,000 9 200 209 95 383 1,800 9 ap1981

1988 20,000 3 268 271 73 268 1,440 9 ap1991

1999 20,000 2 236 238 84 243 1,320 9 ap2000

2000 20,000 2 238 240 83 246 1,322 9 ap2001

2001 20,000 2 164 166 120 270 1,275 8 ap2002

2002 15,000 2 136 138 108 250 1,375 8 ap2003

2003 15,000 2 138 140 107 251 1,210 7 ap2004

2004 15,000 1 134 135 111 210 1,240 8 ap2005

2010 15,000 1 160 161 93 1 208 1,115 8 ap2011

2014 10,000 2 129 131 76 2 207 1,105 8 ap2015

2017 15,000 1 134 135 111 2 213 1,015 8 ap2018

2020 18,000 137 137 131 2 210 922 8 ap2021

2022 18,000 1 143 144 125 7 194 822 10 ap2023

Year	Catholics	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1969	16,000	7	223	230	69		369	1,443	8	ap1971
1980	20,000	9	200	209	95		383	1,800	9	ap1981
1988	20,000	3	268	271	73		268	1,440	9	ap1991
1999	20,000	2	236	238	84		243	1,320	9	ap2000
2000	20,000	2	238	240	83		246	1,322	9	ap2001
2001	20,000	2	164	166	120		270	1,275	8	ap2002
2002	15,000	2	136	138	108		250	1,375	8	ap2003
2003	15,000	2	138	140	107		251	1,210	7	ap2004
2004	15,000	1	134	135	111		210	1,240	8	ap2005
2010	15,000	1	160	161	93	1	208	1,115	8	ap2011
2014	10,000	2	129	131	76	2	207	1,105	8	ap2015
2017	15,000	1	134	135	111	2	213	1,015	8	ap2018
2020	18,000		137	137	131	2	210	922	8	ap2021
2022	18,000	1	143	144	125	7	194	822	10	ap2023

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Albert Matta Bahhuth
Paul Dahdah, O.C.D. (Vicar Apostolic: 30 Jul 1999 to 2 Aug 2016)
César Essayan, O.F.M. Conv. (Vicar Apostolic: 2 Aug 2016)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Paul Bassim, O.C.D. † (Vicar Apostolic: 8 Sep 1974 to 30 Jul 1999)
Eustace John Alexander Smith, O.F.M. † (Vicar Apostolic: 8 Dec 1955 to 8 Sep 1973)

Source(s)

Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 46, Page 36, and Page 37

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