Ocaña (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Orlando Olave Villanoba, Bishop
Jorge Enrique Lozano Zafra, Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 26 October 1962
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Nueva Pamplona
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Colombia
Square Kilometers: 18,000 (6,952 Square Miles)
Official Web Site: https://diocesisdeocana.weebly.com
Mailing Address: Obispado, Carrera 11 N. 11-14, Ocana,Norte de Santander, Colombia
Telephone: (74)562.32.90; 562.21.40
Fax: 569.14.58

Past and Present Ordinaries

Rafael Sarmiento Peralta † (26 Oct 1962 Appointed - 24 Jul 1972 Appointed, Bishop of Neiva)
Ignacio José Gómez Aristizábal (24 Jul 1972 Appointed - 10 Oct 1992 Appointed, Archbishop of Santa Fe de Antioquia)
Jorge Enrique Lozano Zafra (28 Jun 1993 Appointed - 15 May 2014 Retired)
Gabriel Ángel Villa Vahos (15 May 2014 Appointed - 11 Feb 2020 Appointed, Archbishop of Tunja)
Luis Gabriel Ramírez Díaz † (27 Feb 2021 Appointed - 8 Jan 2023 Died)
Orlando Olave Villanoba (11 Jul 2024 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
26 October 1962	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Barrancabermeja (Tamalameque, La Gloria, and Gamarra and portions of Aguachica and Rio de Oro) Diocese of Santa Marta (Ocaña, La Playa, Ábrego, Bucarasica, Villa Caro, and González and portions of EI Carmen, Convención, Teorama, San Calixto, Hacarí, Rio de Oro, Aguachica, and Sardinata)	Diocese of Ocaña (erected)

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

1966 260,000 267,000 97.4% 41 7 48 5,416 5 37 27 ap1967

1970 273,000 285,000 95.8% 40 18 58 4,706 18 61 32 ap1971

1976 318,250 335,000 95.0% 27 18 45 7,072 18 79 36 ap1977

1980 341,800 359,800 95.0% 38 3 41 8,336 7 3 76 36 ap1981

1990 380,000 400,000 95.0% 41 41 9,268 40 64 39 ap1991

1999 303,399 364,672 83.2% 50 5 55 5,516 8 33 63 36 ap2000

2000 329,100 390,200 84.3% 59 5 64 5,142 8 39 30 36 ap2001

2001 352,137 417,514 84.3% 64 7 71 4,959 8 41 56 41 ap2002

2003 403,000 478,000 84.3% 67 3 70 5,757 8 21 67 44 ap2004

2004 352,137 417,514 84.3% 63 4 67 5,255 9 5 65 44 ap2005

2013 427,000 627,000 68.1% 68 4 72 5,930 4 6 60 46 ap2014

2016 531,089 740,827 71.7% 86 4 90 5,900 4 4 67 47 ap2017

2019 558,635 776,160 72.0% 83 5 88 6,348 6 5 65 46 ap2020

2021 579,230 805,140 71.9% 87 5 92 6,295 6 5 65 46 ap2022

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1966	260,000	267,000	97.4%	41	7	48	5,416		5	37	27	ap1967
1970	273,000	285,000	95.8%	40	18	58	4,706		18	61	32	ap1971
1976	318,250	335,000	95.0%	27	18	45	7,072		18	79	36	ap1977
1980	341,800	359,800	95.0%	38	3	41	8,336	7	3	76	36	ap1981
1990	380,000	400,000	95.0%	41		41	9,268	40		64	39	ap1991
1999	303,399	364,672	83.2%	50	5	55	5,516	8	33	63	36	ap2000
2000	329,100	390,200	84.3%	59	5	64	5,142	8	39	30	36	ap2001
2001	352,137	417,514	84.3%	64	7	71	4,959	8	41	56	41	ap2002
2003	403,000	478,000	84.3%	67	3	70	5,757	8	21	67	44	ap2004
2004	352,137	417,514	84.3%	63	4	67	5,255	9	5	65	44	ap2005
2013	427,000	627,000	68.1%	68	4	72	5,930	4	6	60	46	ap2014
2016	531,089	740,827	71.7%	86	4	90	5,900	4	4	67	47	ap2017
2019	558,635	776,160	72.0%	83	5	88	6,348	6	5	65	46	ap2020
2021	579,230	805,140	71.9%	87	5	92	6,295	6	5	65	46	ap2022