Diocese of Vélez

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 Cortés Rendón † (14 May 2003 Appointed - 30 Nov 2015 Appointed, Auxiliary Bishop of Pereira)
Marco Antonio Merchán 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, Chipatá, El Guacamayo, El Peñón, Guavatá, Güepsa, Jesús María, La Aguada, La Belleza, La Paz, Lándazuri, Puente Nacional, San Benito, Santa Elena, Sucre, and Vélez)	Diocese of Vélez (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