Diocese of V�lez

Dioecesis Velezana

Bishop(s)

Vacant

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 14 May 2003
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Bucaramanga
Depends on: Dicastery for Bishops
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Colombia
Square Kilometers: 4,957 (1,914 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Carrera 2 N. 9-28, Velez, Santander, Colombia
Telephone: 310.563.9573
Fax: (7)756.48.40

Past and Present Ordinaries

Luis Albeiro Cort�s Rend�n † (14 May 2003 Appointed - 30 Nov 2015 Appointed, Auxiliary Bishop of Pereira)
Marco Antonio Merch�n Ladino (26 Oct 2016 Appointed - 14 Apr 2023 Appointed, Bishop of Neiva)

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
14 May 2003	Erected	Diocese of Socorro y San Gil (Albania, Barbosa, Bolivar, Chipat�, El Guacamayo, El Pe��n, Guavat�, G�epsa, Jes�s Mar�a, La Aguada, La Belleza, La Paz, L�ndazuri, Puente Nacional, San Benito, Santa Elena, Sucre, and V�lez)	Diocese of V�lez (erected)

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

2003 171,000 190,000 90.0% 39 39 4,384 51 28 ap2004

2004 180,000 200,000 90.0% 38 38 4,736 39 28 ap2005

2010 193,000 215,000 89.8% 43 43 4,488 28 32 ap2011

2014 201,000 225,600 89.1% 41 41 4,902 30 33 ap2015

2017 207,320 233,610 88.7% 38 38 5,455 1 26 33 ap2018

2020 132,600 163,300 81.2% 36 3 39 3,400 3 18 33 ap2021

2022 136,876 168,563 81.2% 37 3 40 3,421 3 15 33 ap2023

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
2003	171,000	190,000	90.0%	39		39	4,384			51	28	ap2004
2004	180,000	200,000	90.0%	38		38	4,736			39	28	ap2005
2010	193,000	215,000	89.8%	43		43	4,488			28	32	ap2011
2014	201,000	225,600	89.1%	41		41	4,902			30	33	ap2015
2017	207,320	233,610	88.7%	38		38	5,455	1		26	33	ap2018
2020	132,600	163,300	81.2%	36	3	39	3,400		3	18	33	ap2021
2022	136,876	168,563	81.2%	37	3	40	3,421		3	15	33	ap2023