Roman Catholic Diocese of Franca explained

Jurisdiction:	Diocese
Franca
Latin:	Dioecesis Francopolitana
Country:	Brazil
Rite:	Latin Rite
Established:	20 February 1971 (years ago)
Cathedral:	Catedral Nossa Senhora da Conceição
Area Km2:	6,721
Population:	760,000
Population As Of:	2004
Catholics:	600,000
Catholics Percent:	78.9
Metro Archbishop:	Moacir Silva
Bishop:	Paulo Roberto Beloto
Map:	Diocesi di Franca (San Paolo, Brasile).jpg

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Franca (Latin: Dioecesis Francopolitana) is a diocese located in the city of Franca in the ecclesiastical province of Ribeirão Preto in Brazil.

History

• 20 February 1971: Established as Diocese of Franca from the Diocese of Rio Preto

Bishops

• Bishops of Franca (Roman rite)
  • Diógenes da Silva Matthes (1971.03.11 – 2006.11.29)
  • Caetano Ferrari, O.F.M. (2006.11.29 – 2009-04-15), appointed Bishop of Bauru, São Paulo
  • Pedro Luiz Stringhini (2009-12-30 - 2012-09-19), appointed Bishop of Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo
  • Paulo Roberto Beloto (2013.10.23 - ...)

Coadjutor bishop

• Caetano Ferrari, O.F.M. (2002-2006)

Other priests of this diocese who became bishops

• Emílio Pignoli, appointed Bishop of Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo in 1976
• Ângelo Pignoli, appointed Bishop of Quixadá, Ceara in 2007
• Pedro Carlos Cipolini (priest here, 1978-1987), appointed Bishop of Amparo, São Paulo in 2010
• Devair Araújo da Fonseca, appointed Auxiliary Bishop of São Paulo in 2014

References

• GCatholic.org
• Catholic Hierarchy
• Diocese website (Portuguese)

-20.5394°N -47.4014°W