Reykjavik (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Pierre Bürcher, Bishop
Joannes Baptist Matthijs Gijsen, Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Elevated: 18 October 1968
Immediately Subject to the Holy See
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Iceland
Square Kilometers: 103,000 (39,783 Square Miles)
Official Web Site: http://www.catholica.is/
Mailing Address: Biskupsstofa, P.B. 490, Havallagata 14, IS-121 Reykjavik, Island
Telephone: 552.53.88
Fax: 562.38.78

Historical Details

Prefecture Apostolic of Iceland {Islanda}
- Latin Name: Islandiae
- Erected: 12 June 1923
- Immediately Subject to the Holy See
- Country: Iceland
Vicariate Apostolic of Iceland {Islanda}
- Latin Name: Islandiae
- Elevated: 6 June 1929
- Vicariate
- Country: Iceland

Past and Present Ordinaries

Martin Meulenberg, S.M.M. † (12 Jun 1923 Appointed - 3 Aug 1941 Died)
Johánnes Gunnarsson, S.M.M. † (23 Feb 1942 Appointed - 14 Oct 1967 Resigned)
Hendrik Hubert Frehen, S.M.M. † (18 Oct 1968 Appointed - 31 Oct 1986 Died)
Alfred James Jolson, S.J. † (12 Dec 1987 Appointed - 21 Mar 1994 Died)
Joannes Baptist Matthijs Gijsen (24 May 1996 Appointed - 30 Oct 2007 Retired)
Pierre Bürcher (30 Oct 2007 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Iceland {Islanda}
12 June 1923	Erected		Prefecture Apostolic of Iceland {Islanda} (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Iceland {Islanda}
6 June 1929	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Iceland {Islanda}	Vicariate Apostolic of Iceland {Islanda}
Diocese of Reykjavik
18 October 1968	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Iceland {Islanda}	Diocese of Reykjavik

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

Vicariate Apostolic of Iceland {Islanda}

1950 443 140,000 .3% 1 6 7 63 3 59 2 ap1951

Diocese of Reykjavik

1970 1,327 203,600 .7% 2 7 9 147 7 59 2 ap1971

1980 1,571 226,339 .7% 3 6 9 174 6 50 2 ap1981

1990 2,367 253,482 .9% 8 4 12 197 4 50 4 ap1991

1999 3,513 275,277 1.3% 7 5 12 292 5 35 4 ap2000

2000 3,827 278,702 1.4% 6 6 12 318 6 39 4 ap2001

2001 4,307 282,845 1.5% 6 6 12 358 6 35 4 ap2002

2002 5,200 288,201 1.8% 6 4 10 520 4 36 4 ap2003

2003 5,211 288,201 1.8% 6 5 11 473 5 36 4 ap2004

2004 5,582 290,490 1.9% 6 5 11 507 5 34 4 ap2005

2010 9,625 317,593 3.0% 5 11 16 601 11 32 5 ap2011

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Vicariate Apostolic of Iceland {Islanda}
1950	443	140,000	.3%	1	6	7	63	3	59	2	ap1951
Diocese of Reykjavik
1970	1,327	203,600	.7%	2	7	9	147	7	59	2	ap1971
1980	1,571	226,339	.7%	3	6	9	174	6	50	2	ap1981
1990	2,367	253,482	.9%	8	4	12	197	4	50	4	ap1991
1999	3,513	275,277	1.3%	7	5	12	292	5	35	4	ap2000
2000	3,827	278,702	1.4%	6	6	12	318	6	39	4	ap2001
2001	4,307	282,845	1.5%	6	6	12	358	6	35	4	ap2002
2002	5,200	288,201	1.8%	6	4	10	520	4	36	4	ap2003
2003	5,211	288,201	1.8%	6	5	11	473	5	36	4	ap2004
2004	5,582	290,490	1.9%	6	5	11	507	5	34	4	ap2005
2010	9,625	317,593	3.0%	5	11	16	601	11	32	5	ap2011

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

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Hendrik Hubert Frehen, S.M.M. † (Bishop: 18 Oct 1968 to 31 Oct 1986)
Johánnes Gunnarsson, S.M.M. † (Vicar Apostolic: 23 Feb 1942 to 14 Oct 1967)
Alfred James Jolson, S.J. † (Bishop: 12 Dec 1987 to 21 Mar 1994)
Martin Meulenberg, S.M.M. † (Prefect: 12 Jun 1923; Vicar Apostolic: 30 May 1929 to 3 Aug 1941)

Diocese of Reykjavik

Dioecesis Reykiavikensis