Diocese of Oeiras

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Oeiras-Floriano (Latin: Dioecesis Oeirensis-Florianensis) was a Latin-rite Roman Catholic suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of Teresina in northeastern Brazil.^[1][2] Its cathedral episcopal see is Catedral Nossa Senhora da Vitória, dedicated to Our Lady of Victory, in the city of Oeiras in the Brazilian state of Piauí.^[2]

The diocese was formed when the Diocese of Oeiras, erected on December 16, 1944, was renamed Oeiras-Floriano on December 9, 1977, reflecting expanded pastoral responsibilities in the region, including the designation of a co-cathedral in Floriano. As a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Teresin, it encompassed significant territory in Piauí state, functioning as a key administrative and pastoral unit for the local Catholic Church.^[1]

• Established on 16 December 1944 as the Diocese of Oeiras, on territory split off from the Diocese of Piaui
• Lost territory on 1974.10.28 to establish the Diocese of Picos
• Renamed on 8 December 1977 as Diocese of Oeiras–Floriano
• Renamed back 27 February 2008 as Diocese of Oeiras, having gained territory from its Metropolitan Archdiocese of Teresina and from Diocese of São Raimundo Nonato, but having lost territory to establish the Diocese of Floriano, to which see the incumbent transferred

The Diocese of Oeiras-Floriano is located entirely within the state of Piauí in northeastern Brazil.^[1] During its existence under this name from December 1977 to February 2008, the diocese encompassed a territory of 58,697 sq km.^[1] Its jurisdiction centered on the key cities of Oeiras and Floriano, which served as the primary titular and administrative focal points for the diocese.^[1] Upon the division of the territory in 2008, the remaining portion that reverted to the Diocese of Oeiras covered a reduced area of 15,096 sq km.^[1]

As of 2014, it has pastorally served 125,000 Catholics (89.2% of 140,200 total) on 15,096 km² in 20 parishes with 20 priests (19 diocesan, 1 religious), 17 lay religious (1 brother, 16 sisters), and 6 seminarians.

(all Roman Rite)

Suffragan Bishops of Oeiras (first time)

• Francisco Expedito Lopes (1948.08.30 – 1954.08.24), next Bishop of Garanhuns (Brazil) (1954.08.24 – death 1957.07.01)
• Raimundo de Castro e Silva (1954.11.17 – 1957.11.09), previously Titular Bishop of Eluza (1950.06.17 – 1954.11.17) as Auxiliary Bishop of Teresina (Brazil) (1950.06.17 – 1954.11.17); later Titular Bishop of Uzalis (1957.11.09 – 1991.08.02) as Auxiliary Bishop of Fortaleza (Brazil) (1957.11.09 – 1991.08.02)
• Edilberto Dinkelborg, Friars Minor (O.F.M.) (born Germany) (1959.06.20 – 1977.12.08 see below)

Suffragan Bishops of Oeiras – Floriano

• Edilberto Dinkelborg, O.F.M. (see above 1977.12.08 – death 1991.12.31)
• Fernando Panico, Sacred Heart Missionaries (M.S.C.) (born Italy) (1993.06.02 – 2001.05.02), next Bishop of Crato (Brazil) (2001.05.02 – retired 2016.12.28)
• Augusto Alves da Rocha (2001.10.24 – 2008.02.27); previously Bishop of Picos (Brazil) (1975.05.23 – 2001.10.24); later Bishop of daughter see Floriano (Brazil) (2008.02.27 – 2010.03.17)

Suffragan Bishops of Oeiras (second time)

• Juarez Sousa Da Silva (2008.02.27 – 6 January 2016), next Coadjutor Bishop of Parnaíba (Brazil) (2016.01.06 – 2016.08.24), succeeding as Bishop of Parnaíba (2016.08.24 – ...)
• Edilson Soares Nobre (11 January 2017 - ...)

• Pedro Brito Guimarães, appointed Bishop of São Raimundo Nonato, Piauí in 2002

• List of Catholic dioceses in Brazil

• GCatholic.org, with Google map & - satellite photo - data for all sections
• Catholic Hierarchy