Archdiocese of Białystok
| Archdiocese of Białystok Archidioecesis Bialostocensis Archidiecezja Białostocka | |
|---|---|
| Cathedral of the Assumption
Cathedral of the Assumption
| |
| Location | |
| Country | Poland |
| Metropolitan | Białystok |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 6,263 km2 (2,418 sq mi) |
| Population Total Catholics |
(as of 2022) 437,790 352,330 (80.5%) |
| Parishes | 116 |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Sui iuris church | Latin Church |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Established | 5 June 1991 |
| Cathedral | Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Leo XIV |
| Archbishop | Józef Guzdek |
| Suffragans | Diocese of Drohiczyn, Diocese of Łomża |
| Auxiliary Bishops | Henryk Ciereszko |
| Website | |
| Website of the Diocese | |
The Archdiocese of Białystok (Latin: Bialostocen(sis); Belarusian: Беластоцкая архідыяцэзія, romanized: Biełastockaja archidyjacezia) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Northeastern Poland. It is a metropolitan see with two suffragan dioceses.
Its cathedral archiepiscopal see is Bazylika Archikatedralna Wniebowzięcia NMP, a minor basilica in the episcopal see of Białystok. It also has a second minor basilica: Bazylika Ofiarowania Najświętszej Marii Panny, dedicated to the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Różanystok.
There are currently 431 priests in the Archdiocese. The most recent death of a priest was that of Fr. Józef Jaroma on 12 August at age 88.[1] The most recent ordination took place on 24 May when two priests were ordained.[2]
Ecclesiastical province
Its Suffragan sees are:
Statistics
As of 2022, it pastorally served 352,330 Catholics (80.5% of 437,790 total; however only 43,2% are active members) on 5,550 km2 in 116 parishes and 25 missions with 390 priests (360 diocesan, 30 religious), 190 lay religious (34 brothers, 156 sisters) and 60 seminarians.
History
- 1945: Białystok became the effective see of the Archdiocese of Vilnius for the Soviet persecution
- Established June 5, 1991 as Diocese of Białystok on Polish territory split off from the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Vilnius in Lithuania
- Enjoyed a Papal visit from the Pope John Paul II in June 1991.
- Promoted on March 25, 1992, by the same as Archdiocese of Białystok
Episcopal ordinaries
- Bishops of Białystok
- Edward Kisiel (1991.06.05 – retired 1992.03.25), died 1993; previously Titular Bishop of Limata (1976.05.03 – 1991.06.05) as Apostolic Administrator of Białystok (1976.05.03 – 1991.06.05)
- Metropolitan Archbishops of Białystok
- Stanisław Szymecki (1993.05.15 – retired 2000.11.16), died 2023; previously Bishop of Kielce (Poland) (1981.03.27 – 1993.05.15)
- Wojciech Ziemba (2000.11.16 – 2006.05.30), died 2021; next Metropolitan Archbishop of Warmia (Poland) (2006.05.30 – 2016.10.15); previously Titular Bishop of Falerone (1982.06.19 – 1992.03.25) as Auxiliary Bishop of Warmia (Poland) (1982.06.19 – 1992.03.25), Bishop of Ełk (Poland) (1992.03.25 – 2000.11.16)
- Edward Ozorowski (2006.10.20 – retired 2017.04.12), died 2024; previously Titular Bishop of Bitetto (1979.01.31 – 2006.10.20), first as Auxiliary Bishop of Vilnius (Lithuania) (1979.01.31 – 1991.06.05), then as Auxiliary Bishop of Białystok (1991.06.05 – succession 2006.10.20)
- Tadeusz Wojda, (S.A.C.) (2017.06.10 – 2021.03.02); next Metropolitan Archbishop of Gdańsk (Poland) (since 2021.03.25); previously Undersecretary of the Roman Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (2012.07.24 – 2017.04.12).[3][4]
- Józef Guzdek (3 September 2021 – present); previously Titular Bishop of Treba (2004.09.15 – 2010.12.04) as Auxiliary Bishop of the Kraków, Bishop of Military Ordinariate of Poland (Poland) (2010.12.19 – 2021.07.14)
See also
Sources and external links
- GCatholic.org, with Google map & satellite photo - data for all sections
- Catholic Hierarchy [self-published]
- Diocese website (in Polish)
53°7′59.23″N 23°9′51.08″E / 53.1331194°N 23.1641889°E
Canonical status and jurisdiction
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Białystok is a metropolitan archdiocese of the Catholic Church.[5]
- Part of: Ecclesiastical province of Białystok
External links
References
- Back to citation "ks. kan. Józef Jaroma nie żyje".
- Back to citation "Archidiecezja ma dwóch nowych kapłanów".
- Back to citation Honorable Archbishop Dr. Tadeusz Wojda, Archbishop of Białystok website
- Back to citation VATICAN - Tadeusz Wojda, Under-secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, appointed Archbishop of Bialystok, Agenzia Fides, 19 April 2017
- Back to citation Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Białystok, official website
Bibliography
- Gulbinowicz, Piotr Nitecki (2000). Biskupi Kościoła w Polsce w latach 965 - 1999: słownik biograficzny (Wyd. 2 popr. i uzup. ed.). Warszawa. ISBN 83-211-1311-7.