Urmyā {Urmia, Rezayeh} (Chaldean Archeparchy) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Vacant
Imad Khoshaba Gargees, Patriarchal Administrator
Thomas Meram, Archbishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Archeparchy
Erected: 4 September 1890
Metropolitan See
Depends on: Dicastery for the Eastern Churches
Chaldean Catholic Church of the Chaldean Tradition
Country: Iran, Islamic Republic of
Mailing Address: Mehdi Al Ghadam, Mirzaian St. 7, Urmia 57138, Iran
Telephone: (044)32222.739
Fax: 32236.031

Past and Present Ordinaries

Jean † ( 1560 Appointed - )
Joseph † ( 1589 Appointed - 1611 Died)
Jesu-Yab † ( 1611 Ordained Bishop - 1616 Died)
Abraham † ( 1616 Ordained Bishop - 1647 Died)
Thomas Audo † (3 Dec 1890 Appointed - 27 Jul 1918 Died)
Isaac-Jesu-Yab Khoudabache (Koudabache) † (25 Oct 1930 Confirmed - 8 Aug 1939 Died)
Abel Zaya (Zayia), C.M. † (6 Dec 1939 Appointed - 18 Mar 1951 Died)
Zaya Dachtou † (14 Jul 1951 Appointed - 15 Aug 1972 Died)
Samuel Chauriz, O.A.O.C. † (1 May 1974 Appointed - 14 Jun 1981 Died)
Thomas Meram (30 Nov 1983 Appointed - 6 Jan 2024 Retired)

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
4 September 1890	Erected		Archeparchy of Urmyā {Urmia, Rezayeh} (Chaldean) (erected)
23 November 1937	Territory Added		Archeparchy of Sehna (Chaldean) (Boundaries adjusted) Archeparchy of Urmyā {Urmia, Rezayeh} (Chaldean) (Boundaries adjusted)

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

1949 3,373 400,000 .8% 7 5 12 281 6 12 5 ap1951

1970 4,500 4,000,000 .1% 6 6 750 9 ap1971

1980 2,150 2 4 6 358 6 1 ap1981

1990 2,000 3 3 666 2 ap1991

1999 1,500 3 1 4 375 1 4 2 ap2000

2000 1,500 3 1 4 375 1 4 2 ap2001

2001 1,500 3 1 4 375 1 5 2 ap2002

2002 1,500 3 3 500 5 2 ap2003

2003 1,500 2 1 3 500 1 5 6 ap2004

2004 1,500 2 1 3 500 1 5 3 ap2005

2009 1,350 3 1 4 337 1 5 4 ap2010

2010 1,350 3 1 4 337 1 5 4 ap2011

2014 1,350 3 1 4 337 1 6 4 ap2015

2017 1,350 3 1 4 337 1 2 4 ap2018

2020 1,000 2 2 500 2 4 ap2021

2022 1,000 1 1 1,000 1 2 4 ap2023

2023 1,000 1 2 4 ap2024

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1949	3,373	400,000	.8%	7	5	12	281	6	12	5	ap1951
1970	4,500	4,000,000	.1%	6		6	750			9	ap1971
1980	2,150			2	4	6	358	6		1	ap1981
1990	2,000			3		3	666			2	ap1991
1999	1,500			3	1	4	375	1	4	2	ap2000
2000	1,500			3	1	4	375	1	4	2	ap2001
2001	1,500			3	1	4	375	1	5	2	ap2002
2002	1,500			3		3	500		5	2	ap2003
2003	1,500			2	1	3	500	1	5	6	ap2004
2004	1,500			2	1	3	500	1	5	3	ap2005
2009	1,350			3	1	4	337	1	5	4	ap2010
2010	1,350			3	1	4	337	1	5	4	ap2011
2014	1,350			3	1	4	337	1	6	4	ap2015
2017	1,350			3	1	4	337	1	2	4	ap2018
2020	1,000			2		2	500		2	4	ap2021
2022	1,000			1		1	1,000	1	2	4	ap2023
2023	1,000							1	2	4	ap2024