Roman Catholic Diocese of Bethlehem in South Africa

Diocese of Bethlehem Dioecesis Bethlehemensis
Location
Country	South Africa
Ecclesiastical province	Bloemfontein
Statistics
Area	34,965 km2 (13,500 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2006) 946,000 77,600 (8.2%)
Information
Sui iuris church	Latin Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Jan de Groef
Bishops emeritus	Hubert Bucher

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bethlehem (Latin: Bethlehemen(sis)) is a diocese located in the city of Bethlehem in the ecclesiastical province of Bloemfontein in South Africa.

History

• Prior to 1924 the territory was part of the Kimberly Vicariate.
• From 1924 to February 12, 1948, it was known as the Kroonstad Vicariate.
• In February 1948, the Kroonstad Vicariate was split into two separate Vicariates by Papal Decree; the western part with Kroonstad was entrusted to the Dominican Fathers of the Dutch Province, while the eastern part with Bethlehem was entrusted to the Holy Ghost Fathers (CSSp) of the German Province.
• February 12, 1948: the territory was established as the Apostolic Vicariate of Bethlehem from the Apostolic Vicariate of Kroonstad
• January 11, 1951: the Apostolic Vicariate was promoted and became the Diocese of Bethlehem.

In 2023, there were 74.343 Catholics in the diocese, just over 10% of the local population.

Special churches

The Cathedral is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Bethlehem.

Bishops

• Vicars Apostolic of Bethlehem (Latin Church)
  • Léon Klerlein (1948.02.12 – 1950.05.22)
  • Peter Kelleter (1950.03.12 – 1951.01.11 see below)
• Bishops of Bethlehem (Latin Church)
  • Peter Kelleter (see above 1951.01.11 – 1975.07.05)
  • Hubert Bucher (1976.12.09 - 2008.12.31)
  • Jan de Groef (since 2008.12.31)

Other priest of this diocese who became bishop

• Xolelo Thaddaeus Kumalo, appointed Bishop of Eshowe in 2008

See also

• Roman Catholicism in South Africa

External links

• GCatholic.org ^{[self-published]}
• Catholic Hierarchy ^{[self-published]}