Diocese of Rrëshen

Dioecesis Rrësheniensis

Bishop(s)

Gjergj Meta, Bishop
Cristoforo Palmieri, C.M., Bishop Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Erected: 7 December 1996
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Tiranë-Durrës
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Albania
Square Kilometers: 2,977 (1,149 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: Ipeshkevia, Kishë Katedrale Katolike, Rruga Shen Vincenc de Paoli, 4601 Rrëshen, Shqipëria
Telephone: 672.017.757
Fax: (216)22.733

Historical Details

Territorial Abbey of Shën Llezhri i Oroshit (Orosh)
- Latin Name: S. Alexandri de Orosci
- Erected: 25 December 1888
- Immediately Subject to the Holy See
- Country: Albania

Past and Present Ordinaries

Preng (Prend) Doçi † (29 Dec 1888 Appointed - 22 Feb 1917 Died)
Joseph Gjonali (Gionali) † (28 Aug 1921 Appointed - 13 Jun 1928 Appointed, Bishop of Sapë)
Bl. Frano Gjini † (29 Jun 1930 Appointed - 4 Jan 1946 Appointed, Bishop of Lezhë {Lesh, Alessio})
Angelo Massafra, O.F.M. (7 Dec 1996 Appointed - 28 Mar 1998 Appointed, Archbishop of Shkodrë)
Cristoforo Palmieri, C.M. (23 Nov 2005 Appointed - 15 Jun 2017 Retired)
Gjergj Meta (15 Jun 2017 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Territorial Abbey of Shën Llezhri i Oroshit (Orosh)
25 December 1888	Erected		Territorial Abbey of Shën Llezhri i Oroshit (Orosh) (erected)
Diocese of Rrëshen
7 December 1996	Erected	Archdiocese of Durrës-Tiranë Territorial Abbey of Shën Llezhri i Oroshit (Orosh) (suppressed)	Diocese of Rrëshen (erected) (Rrëshen (Mirdita), Burrel, Bulquize, and Peshkopi)
25 January 2005	Metropolitan Changed		Diocese of Rrëshen (from Shkodrë)

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

Territorial Abbey of Shën Llezhri i Oroshit (Orosh)

1950 18,510 13 1 14 1,322 17 ap1951

Diocese of Rrëshen

1999 70,000 259,000 27.0% 7 7 10,000 8 10 17 ap2000

2000 70,000 260,000 26.9% 7 7 10,000 8 14 17 ap2001

2001 65,000 250,000 26.0% 5 5 13,000 6 14 5 ap2002

2002 60,000 240,000 25.0% 1 4 5 12,000 5 14 17 ap2003

2003 55,000 235,000 23.4% 4 4 8 6,875 4 16 17 ap2004

2004 57,000 240,000 23.8% 4 3 7 8,142 3 18 17 ap2005

2010 55,200 240,700 22.9% 8 4 12 4,600 4 26 17 ap2011

2014 55,300 241,000 22.9% 3 5 8 6,912 5 24 10 ap2015

2017 55,200 235,000 23.5% 3 3 6 9,200 3 22 10 ap2018

2020 51,475 173,351 29.7% 4 3 7 7,353 3 24 9 ap2021

2022 50,890 171,370 29.7% 4 3 7 7,270 4 25 13 ap2023

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Territorial Abbey of Shën Llezhri i Oroshit (Orosh)
1950	18,510			13	1	14	1,322			17	ap1951
Diocese of Rrëshen
1999	70,000	259,000	27.0%		7	7	10,000	8	10	17	ap2000
2000	70,000	260,000	26.9%		7	7	10,000	8	14	17	ap2001
2001	65,000	250,000	26.0%		5	5	13,000	6	14	5	ap2002
2002	60,000	240,000	25.0%	1	4	5	12,000	5	14	17	ap2003
2003	55,000	235,000	23.4%	4	4	8	6,875	4	16	17	ap2004
2004	57,000	240,000	23.8%	4	3	7	8,142	3	18	17	ap2005
2010	55,200	240,700	22.9%	8	4	12	4,600	4	26	17	ap2011
2014	55,300	241,000	22.9%	3	5	8	6,912	5	24	10	ap2015
2017	55,200	235,000	23.5%	3	3	6	9,200	3	22	10	ap2018
2020	51,475	173,351	29.7%	4	3	7	7,353	3	24	9	ap2021
2022	50,890	171,370	29.7%	4	3	7	7,270	4	25	13	ap2023