Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

René Leigue Cesari, Archbishop
Stanisław Dowlaszewicz Billman, O.F.M. Conv., Auxiliary Bishop
Juan Gómez, Auxiliary Bishop
Sergio Alfredo Gualberti Calandrina, Archbishop Emeritus
Braulio Sáez Garcia, O.C.D., Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Archdiocese
Elevated: 30 July 1975
Metropolitan See
Depends on: Dicastery for Bishops
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Bolivia
Square Kilometers: 49,170 (18,991 Square Miles)
Official Web Site: https://campanas.iglesiasantacruz.org
Mailing Address: Arzobispado, Calle Ingavi 49, Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Telephone: (03)3324.416; 3360.498
Fax: 3330.181

Historical Details

Diocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra
- Latin Name: Sanctae Crucis de Sierra
- Erected: 5 July 1605
- Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Sucre
- Country: Bolivia

Past and Present Ordinaries

Antonio Calderón de León † (4 Jul 1605 Appointed - 1621 Died)
Fernando de Ocampo, O.F.M. † ( 1621 Ordained Bishop - 1632 Died)
Juan de Zapata y Figueroa † (9 Jul 1635 Appointed - 1642 Died)
Juan de Arguinao y Gutiérrez, O.P. † (10 Sep 1646 Appointed - 10 Nov 1659 Confirmed, Archbishop of Santafé en Nueva Granada)
Juan de Ribera, O.S.A. † (17 Nov 1659 Appointed - 1666 Died)
Bernardino de Cárdenas Ponce, O.F.M. † (7 Jun 1666 Appointed - 1668 Died)
Juan de Esturizada, O.P. † (16 May 1672 Appointed - 1679 Died)
Pedro Cárdenas y Arbieto † (13 May 1680 Appointed - 1687 Died)
Juan de los Ríos y Berriz † (28 Apr 1687 Appointed - 1698 Died)
Juan Francisco de Padilla y San Martín, O. de M. † (1 Jun 1699 Appointed - 1700 Died)
Pedro Vásquez de Velasco † (22 Feb 1706 Appointed - 26 Feb 1714 Died)
Jaime de Mimbela, O.P. † (26 Feb 1714 Appointed - 20 Mar 1720 Appointed, Bishop of Trujillo)
Juan Cavero de Toledo † (15 Apr 1720 Appointed - 11 Jun 1725 Appointed, Bishop of Arequipa)
Joannes de Moncada Hurtado de Figueroa † (11 Jun 1725 Appointed - Dec 1725 Died)
Miguel Bernardino de la Fuenta y Rojas † (24 Apr 1728 Appointed - 7 Aug 1741 Confirmed, Bishop of Ayacucho o Huamanga (Guamanga))
Andrés Vergara Uribe † (7 Aug 1741 Confirmed - 1744 Died)
Juan Pablo de Olmedo † (23 Aug 1745 Confirmed - 1755 Died)
Bernardo José Pérez de Oblitas † (7 Apr 1756 Appointed - 1760 Died)
Francisco Ramón Herboso y Figueroa, O.P. † (6 Apr 1761 Appointed - 16 Sep 1776 Appointed, Archbishop of La Plata o Charcas)
Juan Domingo González de la Reguera † (16 Dec 1776 Appointed - 18 Sep 1780 Appointed, Archbishop of Lima)
Alejandro José de Ochoa y Morillo † (25 Feb 1782 Appointed - 11 Apr 1791 Appointed, Bishop of La Paz)
Ramón José de Estrada y Orgas † (11 Apr 1791 Appointed - 1792 Died)
Manuel Nicolás Rojas y Argandoña † (18 Dec 1795 Appointed - 24 May 1803 Died)
Antonio de San Firmino, O. Carm. † (23 Sep 1805 Appointed - 1806 Died)
Francisco Javier Aldazábal y Lodeña † (23 Mar 1807 Appointed - 24 Jun 1812 Died)
Agustín Francisco de Otondo Escurruchea, C.O. † (Jan 1816 Appointed - 13 Jun 1826 Died)
José Manuel Fernández de Córdoba y Meló † (24 Jul 1835 Appointed - 13 Jul 1840 Appointed, Bishop of La Paz)
Francisco de Paula León de Aguirre Velasco † (13 Jul 1840 Appointed - Did Not Take Effect)
Manuel Ángel del Prado Cárdenas † (19 Jan 1846 Appointed - 28 Sep 1855 Appointed, Archbishop of La Plata o Charcas)
Agustín Gómez Cabezas y Sildo † (19 Jan 1856 Confirmed - 1862 Died)
Francisco Javier Rodríguez † (22 Nov 1869 Appointed - 16 May 1877 Died)
Juan José Baldivia Morales † (15 Jul 1878 Appointed - 1 Jun 1891 Appointed, Bishop of La Paz)
José Belisario Santistevan Seoane † (1 Jun 1891 Succeeded - 30 Mar 1931 Died)
Daniel Rivero Rivero † (30 Mar 1931 Succeeded - 3 Feb 1940 Appointed, Archbishop of Sucre)
Augustin Arce Mostajo † (3 Dec 1940 Appointed - 22 May 1958 Resigned)
Luis Aníbal Rodríguez Pardo † (22 May 1958 Appointed - 6 Feb 1991 Retired)
Julio Terrazas Sandoval, C.SS.R. † (6 Feb 1991 Appointed - 25 May 2013 Retired)
Sergio Alfredo Gualberti Calandrina (25 May 2013 Succeeded - 22 Apr 2022 Retired)
René Leigue Cesari (22 Apr 2022 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Diocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra
5 July 1605	Erected	Diocese of La Plata o Charcas	Diocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (erected)
1 December 1917	Territory Lost	Diocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (El Beni, Colonia, Caupolican, and Yuracarès)	Vicariate Apostolic of El Beni o Beni (erected)
22 May 1919	Territory Lost	Archdiocese of La Plata o Charcas Diocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra	Vicariate Apostolic of Chaco (erected) (Chaco)
27 January 1930	Territory Lost	Diocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Ñuflo de Chávez, Velasco, and Chiquitos)	Vicariate Apostolic of Chiquitos (erected)
Archdiocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra
30 July 1975	Elevated	Diocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra	Archdiocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra

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

Diocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra

1950 150,000 153,000 98.0% 23 20 43 3,488 29 ap1951

1966 375,000 390,000 96.2% 8 53 61 6,147 78 154 30 ap1967

1970 380,000 400,000 95.0% 13 79 92 4,130 119 167 30 ap1971

Archdiocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra

1976 425,000 465,000 91.4% 10 82 92 4,619 124 203 31 ap1977

1980 620,500 640,000 97.0% 13 78 91 6,818 1 116 230 33 ap1981

1990 1,167,000 1,297,000 90.0% 7 114 121 9,644 4 182 253 44 ap1991

1999 1,300,000 1,600,000 81.3% 28 122 150 8,666 5 196 481 55 ap2000

2000 1,350,000 1,650,000 81.8% 44 120 164 8,231 5 166 421 59 ap2001

2001 1,380,000 1,520,000 90.8% 37 121 158 8,734 2 205 466 60 ap2002

2002 1,400,000 2,033,739 68.8% 30 147 177 7,909 2 241 505 75 ap2003

2003 1,550,000 2,033,739 76.2% 36 166 202 7,673 5 254 589 75 ap2004

2004 1,600,000 2,033,739 78.7% 51 138 189 8,465 5 218 494 70 ap2005

2010 1,805,000 2,291,000 78.8% 66 128 194 9,304 6 217 572 72 ap2011

2014 1,944,000 2,466,000 78.8% 64 118 182 10,681 5 184 487 78 ap2015

2017 2,033,000 2,580,000 78.8% 42 136 178 11,421 12 192 487 83 ap2018

2020 1,925,600 2,567,480 75.0% 40 141 181 10,638 17 187 482 86 ap2021

2022 1,978,000 2,637,000 75.0% 43 196 239 8,276 17 242 479 87 ap2023

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Diocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra
1950	150,000	153,000	98.0%	23	20	43	3,488				29	ap1951
1966	375,000	390,000	96.2%	8	53	61	6,147		78	154	30	ap1967
1970	380,000	400,000	95.0%	13	79	92	4,130		119	167	30	ap1971
Archdiocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra
1976	425,000	465,000	91.4%	10	82	92	4,619		124	203	31	ap1977
1980	620,500	640,000	97.0%	13	78	91	6,818	1	116	230	33	ap1981
1990	1,167,000	1,297,000	90.0%	7	114	121	9,644	4	182	253	44	ap1991
1999	1,300,000	1,600,000	81.3%	28	122	150	8,666	5	196	481	55	ap2000
2000	1,350,000	1,650,000	81.8%	44	120	164	8,231	5	166	421	59	ap2001
2001	1,380,000	1,520,000	90.8%	37	121	158	8,734	2	205	466	60	ap2002
2002	1,400,000	2,033,739	68.8%	30	147	177	7,909	2	241	505	75	ap2003
2003	1,550,000	2,033,739	76.2%	36	166	202	7,673	5	254	589	75	ap2004
2004	1,600,000	2,033,739	78.7%	51	138	189	8,465	5	218	494	70	ap2005
2010	1,805,000	2,291,000	78.8%	66	128	194	9,304	6	217	572	72	ap2011
2014	1,944,000	2,466,000	78.8%	64	118	182	10,681	5	184	487	78	ap2015
2017	2,033,000	2,580,000	78.8%	42	136	178	11,421	12	192	487	83	ap2018
2020	1,925,600	2,567,480	75.0%	40	141	181	10,638	17	187	482	86	ap2021
2022	1,978,000	2,637,000	75.0%	43	196	239	8,276	17	242	479	87	ap2023

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Fernando Bascopé Müller, S.D.B.
Stanisław Dowlaszewicz Billman, O.F.M. Conv. (Auxiliary Bishop: 21 Dec 2000)
Juan Gómez (Deacon: 9 May 1998; Priest: 27 Aug 1999 to 27 Dec 2018; Auxiliary Bishop: 18 Oct 2024)
Sergio Alfredo Gualberti Calandrina (Auxiliary Bishop: 6 May 1999; Coadjutor Archbishop: 28 Sep 2011; Archbishop: 25 May 2013 to 22 Apr 2022)
René Leigue Cesari (Priest: 27 Aug 1999; Auxiliary Bishop: 31 Oct 2012; Archbishop: 22 Apr 2022 - )
Braulio Sáez Garcia, O.C.D. (Auxiliary Bishop: 11 Sep 2003 to 12 Apr 2018)
Jorge Ángel Saldías Pedraza, O.P.
Tito Solari Capellari, S.D.B. (Auxiliary Bishop: 16 Dec 1986 to 7 Mar 1998)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Francisco de Paula León de Aguirre Velasco † (Bishop: 13 Jul 1840 - Did Not Take Effect)
Francisco Javier Aldazábal y Lodeña † (Bishop: 23 Mar 1807 to 24 Jun 1812)
Augustin Arce Mostajo † (Bishop: 3 Dec 1940 to 22 May 1958)
Juan de Arguinao y Gutiérrez, O.P. † (Bishop: 10 Sep 1646 to 10 Nov 1659)
Juan José Baldivia Morales † (Bishop: 15 Jul 1878 to 1 Jun 1891)
Carlos Arturo Brown, M.M. † (Auxiliary Bishop: 29 Nov 1956 to 14 May 1997)
Antonio Calderón de León † (Bishop: 4 Jul 1605 to 1621)
Bernardino de Cárdenas Ponce, O.F.M. † (Bishop: 7 Jun 1666 to 1668)
Pedro Cárdenas y Arbieto † (Bishop: 13 May 1680 to 1687)
Juan Cavero de Toledo † (Bishop: 15 Apr 1720 to 11 Jun 1725)
Manuel Ángel del Prado Cárdenas † (Bishop: 19 Jan 1846 to 28 Sep 1855)
Ramón José de Estrada y Orgas † (Bishop: 11 Apr 1791 to 1792)
Juan de Esturizada, O.P. † (Bishop: 16 May 1672 to 1679)
José Manuel Fernández de Córdoba y Meló † (Bishop: 24 Jul 1835 to 13 Jul 1840)
Agustín Gómez Cabezas y Sildo † (Bishop: 19 Jan 1856 to 1862)
Juan Domingo González de la Reguera † (Bishop: 16 Dec 1776 to 18 Sep 1780)
José Armando Gutiérrez Granier † (Auxiliary Bishop: 19 Jan 1954 to 1956)
Francisco Ramón Herboso y Figueroa, O.P. † (Bishop: 6 Apr 1761 to 16 Sep 1776)
Miguel Bernardino de la Fuenta y Rojas † (Bishop: 24 Apr 1728 to 7 Aug 1741)
Rafael de La Vara † (Auxiliary Bishop: 11 Aug 1800 to 31 Mar 1806)
Juan de los Ríos y Berriz † (Bishop: 28 Apr 1687 to 1698)
Nino Marzoli, C. R. † (Auxiliary Bishop: 28 Aug 1992 to 24 May 2000)
Jaime de Mimbela, O.P. † (Bishop: 26 Feb 1714 to 20 Mar 1720)
Joannes de Moncada Hurtado de Figueroa † (Bishop: 11 Jun 1725 to Dec 1725)
Fernando de Ocampo, O.F.M. † (Coadjutor Bishop: 14 Dec 1620; Bishop: 1621 to 1632)
Alejandro José de Ochoa y Morillo † (Bishop: 25 Feb 1782 to 11 Apr 1791)
Juan Pablo de Olmedo † (Bishop: 23 Aug 1745 to 1755)
Agustín Francisco de Otondo Escurruchea, C.O. † (Bishop: Jan 1816 to 13 Jun 1826)
Juan Francisco de Padilla y San Martín, O. de M. † (Bishop: 1 Jun 1699 to 1700)
Manuel José Peña †
Bernardo José Pérez de Oblitas † (Bishop: 7 Apr 1756 to 1760)
Juan de Ribera, O.S.A. † (Bishop: 17 Nov 1659 to 1666)
Daniel Rivero Rivero † (Priest: 8 Jan 1899; Coadjutor Bishop: 17 May 1922; Bishop: 30 Mar 1931 to 3 Feb 1940)
Francisco Javier Rodríguez † (Bishop: 22 Nov 1869 to 16 May 1877)
Luis Aníbal Rodríguez Pardo † (Auxiliary Bishop: 6 Jun 1952 to 17 Jun 1953; Bishop: 22 May 1958; Archbishop: 30 Jul 1975 to 6 Feb 1991)
Manuel Nicolás Rojas y Argandoña † (Bishop: 18 Dec 1795 to 24 May 1803)
Antonio de San Firmino, O. Carm. † (Bishop: 23 Sep 1805 to 1806)
José Belisario Santistevan Seoane † (Coadjutor Bishop: 26 Jun 1890; Bishop: 1 Jun 1891 to 30 Mar 1931)
Julio Terrazas Sandoval, C.SS.R. † (Archbishop: 6 Feb 1991 to 25 May 2013)
Pedro Vásquez de Velasco † (Bishop: 22 Feb 1706 to 26 Feb 1714)
Andrés Vergara Uribe † (Bishop: 7 Aug 1741 to 1744)
Juan de Zapata y Figueroa † (Bishop: 9 Jul 1635 to 1642)

Source(s)

Diocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra
- Hierarchia Catholica, Volume 5, Page 176
- Hierarchia Catholica, Volume 6, Page 187
- Series Episcoporum Ecclesiae Catholicae, Volume 1, Page 145, to Page 146
Archdiocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 67, Page 519, and Page 520

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Archdiocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Archidioecesis Sanctae Crucis de Sierra