Vilkaviškis (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Rimantas Norvila, Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 4 April 1926
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Kaunas
Depends on: Dicastery for Bishops
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Lithuania
Square Kilometers: 6,280 (2,425 Square Miles)
Description: Aleksotas, Alytus, Lazdijai, Marijampolė, Šakiai, and Vilkaviškis
Official Web Site: https://vilkaviskiovyskupija.lt
Mailing Address: Vilkaviskio Vyskupijos Kurija, Kriauciuno 17, 68298 Marijampole, Lietuva
Telephone: (343)68.651

Past and Present Ordinaries

Anton Karaś (Karosas) † (5 Apr 1926 Appointed - 7 Jul 1947 Died)
Juozas Žemaitis, M.I.C. † (24 Dec 1991 Appointed - 5 Jan 2002 Retired)
Rimantas Norvila (5 Jan 2002 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
4 April 1926	Erected	Diocese of Łomża (Bartninkens, Garliavens, Kalvariens, Mariampolense, Naumiestens, Panemunens, Prienens, Seiriens, Simnens, Vilkaviškens, and Šakens)	Diocese of Vilkaviškis (erected)

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

1950 350,000 365,000 95.9% 101 ap1951

1970 127 127 0 94 ap1971

1980 111 111 0 94 ap1981

1990 351,400 114 114 3,082 1 100 ap1991

1999 400,200 443,000 90.3% 110 13 123 3,253 1 15 80 103 ap2000

2000 400,200 443,000 90.3% 109 9 118 3,391 11 80 103 ap2001

2001 400,200 443,000 90.3% 112 8 120 3,335 14 95 103 ap2002

2002 400,200 443,000 90.3% 116 7 123 3,253 13 94 103 ap2003

2003 398,800 442,900 90.0% 113 8 121 3,295 11 81 103 ap2004

2004 382,400 403,000 94.9% 113 8 121 3,160 10 93 103 ap2005

2010 346,360 354,500 97.7% 118 7 125 2,770 8 93 105 ap2011

2014 331,154 339,241 97.6% 117 5 122 2,714 6 86 106 ap2015

2017 311,000 319,126 97.5% 109 6 115 2,704 8 75 104 ap2018

2020 279,633 303,565 92.1% 103 5 108 2,589 4 7 71 104 ap2021

2022 276,356 300,917 91.8% 103 3 106 2,607 4 4 51 104 ap2023

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1950	350,000	365,000	95.9%								101	ap1951
1970				127		127	0				94	ap1971
1980				111		111	0				94	ap1981
1990	351,400			114		114	3,082	1			100	ap1991
1999	400,200	443,000	90.3%	110	13	123	3,253	1	15	80	103	ap2000
2000	400,200	443,000	90.3%	109	9	118	3,391		11	80	103	ap2001
2001	400,200	443,000	90.3%	112	8	120	3,335		14	95	103	ap2002
2002	400,200	443,000	90.3%	116	7	123	3,253		13	94	103	ap2003
2003	398,800	442,900	90.0%	113	8	121	3,295		11	81	103	ap2004
2004	382,400	403,000	94.9%	113	8	121	3,160		10	93	103	ap2005
2010	346,360	354,500	97.7%	118	7	125	2,770		8	93	105	ap2011
2014	331,154	339,241	97.6%	117	5	122	2,714		6	86	106	ap2015
2017	311,000	319,126	97.5%	109	6	115	2,704		8	75	104	ap2018
2020	279,633	303,565	92.1%	103	5	108	2,589	4	7	71	104	ap2021
2022	276,356	300,917	91.8%	103	3	106	2,607	4	4	51	104	ap2023

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

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Vincentas Brizgys † (Priest: 5 Jun 1927 to 2 Apr 1940)
Anton Karaś (Karosas) † (Bishop: 5 Apr 1926 to 7 Jul 1947)
Vladas Michelevičius † (Auxiliary Bishop: 13 Nov 1986 to 10 Mar 1989)
Vincentas Padolskis † (Priest: 21 Aug 1927; Auxiliary Bishop: 18 Jul 1940; Coadjutor Bishop: Jul 1944 to 1950)
Liudas Povilonis, M.I.C. † (Coadjutor Apostolic Administrator: 7 Jul 1973; Apostolic Administrator: 28 May 1979 to 27 Apr 1988)
Juozas Preikšas † (Priest: 23 Sep 1951 to 31 Oct 1984; Auxiliary Bishop: 31 Oct 1984; Apostolic Administrator: 27 Apr 1988 to 2 Apr 1989)
Juozas Žemaitis, M.I.C. † (Priest: 25 Sep 1949 to 1989; Apostolic Administrator: 10 Mar 1989; Bishop: 24 Dec 1991 to 5 Jan 2002)

Source(s)

Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 18, Page 121, to Page 123

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Diocese of Vilkaviškis

Dioecesis Vilkaviskensis