Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Natal

Infobox Diocese| jurisdiction=Archdiocese
name= Natal
latin=Archidioecesis Natalensis
country= Brazil
rite=Latin Rite
cathedral = Catedral Metropolitana
Nossa Senhora da Apresentação

cocathedral =
area= 25,153
population= 1,923,667
population_as_of= 2004
catholics= 1,627,542
catholics_percent= 84.6
bishop= Matias Patrício de Macêdo
coadjutor =
auxiliary_bishops =

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Natal {Latin: " Natalen(sis)"} is an archdiocese located in the city of Natal in Brazil.

History

* December 29, 1909: Established as the Diocese of Natal from the Diocese of Paraíba
* February 16, 1952: Promoted as the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Natal

Leadership

* Archbishops of Natal (Roman rite)
** Archbishop Matias Patrício de Macêdo (2003.11.26 – ...)
** Archbishop Heitor de Araújo Sales (1993.10.27 – 2003.11.26)
** Archbishop Alair Vilar Fernandes de Melo (1988.04.06 – 1993.10.27)
** Archbishop Nivaldo Monte (1967.09.06 – 1988.04.06)
** Archbishop Marcolino Esmeraldo de Souza Dantas (1952.02.16 – 1967.04.08)
* Bishops of Natal (Roman Rite)
** Bishop Marcolino Esmeraldo de Souza Dantas (later Archbishop) (1929.03.01 – 1952.02.16)
** Bishop José Pereira Alves (1922.10.27 – 1928.01.27)
** Bishop Antônio dos Santos Cabral (later Archbishop) (1917.09.01 – 1921.11.21)
** Bishop Joaquim Antônio d’Almeida (1910.10.23 – 1915.06.14)

uffragan Dioceses

* Caicó
* Mossoró

ource

* [http://www.gcatholic.com/dioceses/diocese/nata0.htm Giga-Catholic Information]
* [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dnata.html Catholic Hierarchy]
* [http://www.arquidiocesedenatal.org.br/ Archdiocese website (Portuguese)]