Franca (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Paulo Roberto Beloto, Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 20 February 1971
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Ribeirão Preto
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
State: Sao Paulo
Country: Brazil
Square Kilometers: 6,635 (2,562 Square Miles)
Description: North-eastern part of the State of São Paulo
Conference Region: Sul 1
Official Web Site: https://diocesefranca.org.br
Mailing Address: Curia Diocesana, Rua Carlos de Vilhena 3099, 14405-690, Franca; C.P. 220, 14400-970 Franca, SP, Brazil
Telephone: (016)3721-2294

Past and Present Ordinaries

Diógenes da Silva Matthes † (11 Mar 1971 Appointed - 29 Nov 2006 Retired)
Caetano Ferrari, O.F.M. (29 Nov 2006 Succeeded - 15 Apr 2009 Appointed, Bishop of Bauru, Sao Paulo)
Pedro Luiz Stringhini (30 Dec 2009 Appointed - 19 Sep 2012 Appointed, Bishop of Mogi das Cruzes, Sao Paulo)
Paulo Roberto Beloto (23 Oct 2013 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
20 February 1971	Erected	Archdiocese of Ribeirão Preto (Aramina, Buritizal, Cristais Paulista, Franca, Guará, Igarapava, Itirapuã, Ituverava, Jeriquara, Nuporanga, Orlândia, Patrocínio Paulista, Pedregulho, Restinga, Ribeirão Corrente, Rifaina, Sales Oliveira, São Joaquim da Barra, and São José da Bela Vista)	Diocese of Franca (erected)

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

1976 360,000 401,700 89.6% 10 25 35 10,285 30 23 ap1977

1977 205,000 335,000 61.2% 9 13 22 9,318 19 50 23 ap1981

1990 478,000 660,000 72.4% 14 19 33 14,484 61 56 31 ap1991

1999 865,000 988,000 87.6% 33 14 47 18,404 46 45 25 ap2000

2000 600,000 750,000 80.0% 34 13 47 12,765 50 45 26 ap2001

2001 600,000 750,000 80.0% 32 12 44 13,636 65 46 28 ap2002

2002 600,000 750,000 80.0% 36 14 50 12,000 11 62 46 28 ap2003

2003 600,000 750,000 80.0% 37 13 50 12,000 11 61 46 28 ap2004

2004 600,000 760,000 78.9% 40 16 56 10,714 10 51 44 28 ap2005

2006 614,000 778,000 78.9% 45 16 61 10,065 10 41 35 30 ap2007

2013 664,000 842,000 78.9% 58 22 80 8,300 16 36 45 40 ap2014

2016 681,000 863,000 78.9% 58 21 79 8,620 16 42 49 42 ap2017

2019 697,300 883,800 78.9% 60 21 81 8,608 32 63 47 44 ap2020

2021 390,751 651,253 60.0% 62 23 85 4,597 33 64 46 45 ap2022

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1976	360,000	401,700	89.6%	10	25	35	10,285		30		23	ap1977
1977	205,000	335,000	61.2%	9	13	22	9,318		19	50	23	ap1981
1990	478,000	660,000	72.4%	14	19	33	14,484		61	56	31	ap1991
1999	865,000	988,000	87.6%	33	14	47	18,404		46	45	25	ap2000
2000	600,000	750,000	80.0%	34	13	47	12,765		50	45	26	ap2001
2001	600,000	750,000	80.0%	32	12	44	13,636		65	46	28	ap2002
2002	600,000	750,000	80.0%	36	14	50	12,000	11	62	46	28	ap2003
2003	600,000	750,000	80.0%	37	13	50	12,000	11	61	46	28	ap2004
2004	600,000	760,000	78.9%	40	16	56	10,714	10	51	44	28	ap2005
2006	614,000	778,000	78.9%	45	16	61	10,065	10	41	35	30	ap2007
2013	664,000	842,000	78.9%	58	22	80	8,300	16	36	45	40	ap2014
2016	681,000	863,000	78.9%	58	21	79	8,620	16	42	49	42	ap2017
2019	697,300	883,800	78.9%	60	21	81	8,608	32	63	47	44	ap2020
2021	390,751	651,253	60.0%	62	23	85	4,597	33	64	46	45	ap2022