Sofia e Plovdiv (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Gheorghi Ivanov Jovcev, Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Elevated: 3 March 1979
Immediately Subject to the Holy See
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Bulgaria
Square Kilometers: 80,000 (30,900 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: bul. Maria Luisa 3, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Telephone: (032)62.20.42
Fax: 62.15.22

Historical Details

Vicariate Apostolic of Sofia e Plovdiv
- Latin Name: Sophiae et Philippopolis
- Erected: 1758
- Vicariate
- Country: Bulgaria

Past and Present Ordinaries

Andrea Canova, O.F.M. Cap. † (31 Jan 1851 Appointed - 9 Aug 1866 Died)
Francesco Domenico Raynaud (Reynaudi), O.F.M. Cap. † (12 Dec 1867 Appointed - 1885 Resigned)
Roberto Menini, O.F.M. Cap. † (19 May 1885 Appointed - 14 Oct 1916 Died)
Cleto Vincenzo Pejov, O.F.M. Cap. † (14 Oct 1916 Succeeded - 1941 Died)
Ivan Romanoff † (6 Jul 1942 Appointed - 1959 Died)
Bogdan Stefanov Dobranov † (22 Jul 1975 Appointed - 4 Oct 1983 Died)
Gheorghi Ivanov Jovcev (13 Nov 1995 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Vicariate Apostolic of Sofia e Plovdiv
1758	Erected		Vicariate Apostolic of Sofia e Plovdiv (erected)
Diocese of Sofia e Plovdiv
3 March 1979	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Sofia e Plovdiv	Diocese of Sofia e Plovdiv

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 Sofia e Plovdiv

1950 28,230 3,720,000 .8% 15 51 66 427 30 134 13 ap1951

1967 30,000 8 25 33 909 15 ap1981

Diocese of Sofia e Plovdiv

1990 35,000 5,000,000 .7% 11 3 14 2,500 8 13 19 ap1991

1999 35,200 5,000,000 .7% 6 8 14 2,514 8 24 16 ap2000

2000 35,000 5,000,000 .7% 7 12 19 1,842 14 22 16 ap2001

2001 35,000 5,000,000 .7% 10 12 22 1,590 12 22 16 ap2002

2002 35,000 5,000,000 .7% 8 12 20 1,750 12 22 16 ap2003

2003 35,000 5,000,000 .7% 8 12 20 1,750 1 18 22 16 ap2004

2004 34,000 5,000,000 .7% 9 12 21 1,619 19 22 16 ap2005

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 Sofia e Plovdiv
1950	28,230	3,720,000	.8%	15	51	66	427		30	134	13	ap1951
1967	30,000			8	25	33	909				15	ap1981
Diocese of Sofia e Plovdiv
1990	35,000	5,000,000	.7%	11	3	14	2,500		8	13	19	ap1991
1999	35,200	5,000,000	.7%	6	8	14	2,514		8	24	16	ap2000
2000	35,000	5,000,000	.7%	7	12	19	1,842		14	22	16	ap2001
2001	35,000	5,000,000	.7%	10	12	22	1,590		12	22	16	ap2002
2002	35,000	5,000,000	.7%	8	12	20	1,750		12	22	16	ap2003
2003	35,000	5,000,000	.7%	8	12	20	1,750	1	18	22	16	ap2004
2004	34,000	5,000,000	.7%	9	12	21	1,619		19	22	16	ap2005

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

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Andrea Canova, O.F.M. Cap. † (Vicar Apostolic: 31 Jan 1851 to 9 Aug 1866)
Bogdan Stefanov Dobranov † (Vicar Apostolic: 22 Jul 1975; Bishop: 14 Dec 1978 to 4 Oct 1983)
Simeon Kokov (Kokoff), O.F.M. Cap. † (Apostolic Administrator: 20 Apr 1958 to 11 Jul 1974)
Roberto Menini, O.F.M. Cap. † (Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: Jan 1880; Vicar Apostolic: 19 May 1885 to 14 Oct 1916)
Cleto Vincenzo Pejov, O.F.M. Cap. † (Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: 13 Dec 1912; Vicar Apostolic: 14 Oct 1916 to 1941)
Francesco Domenico Raynaud (Reynaudi), O.F.M. Cap. † (Vicar Apostolic: 12 Dec 1867 to 1885)
Ivan Romanoff † (Vicar Apostolic: 6 Jul 1942 to 1959)

Diocese of Sofia e Plovdiv

Dioecesis Sophiae et Philippopolis