Diocese of Bilbao
Dioecesis Flaviobrigensis

Statistics
Country:	Spain
Metropolitan:	Burgos
Rite:	Latin Rite
Area:	2,193 km²
Population:   Total:   Catholics:	1,129,805 (2004) 1,000,000 (88.5%)
Cathedral:	Catedral de Santiago Apóstol (Cathedral of St. James the Apostle)
Ordinaries
Bishop:	Ricardo Blázquez Pérez
Auxiliary Bishop:	Mario Iceta Gavicagogeascoa

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bilbao (Latin: Flaviobrigen(sis)) is a diocese located in the city of Bilbao in the Ecclesiastical province of Burgos in Spain.

Contents 1 History 2 Special Churches 2.1 Basílica de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora 2.1.1 History 2.1.2 Building 2.1.3 Furniture 3 Leadership 4 See also 5 References

[edit] History

• November 2, 1949: Established as Diocese of Bilbao from the Diocese of Calahorra y La Calzada, Diocese of Santander and Diocese of Vitoria

[edit] Special Churches

• Minor Basillicas:
  • Basílica de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora/Andra Mariaren Zeruratzea, Lekeitio, Vizcaya, País Vasco
  • Basílica de la Purísima Concepción (Sortzez Garbia), Elorrio, Vizcaya, País Vasco
  • Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Begoña/Begoñako Andra Mari, Begoña, Vizcaya, País Vasco
  • Santa María de Portugalete/Nazareteko Andra Mari, Portugalete, Vizcaya, País Vasco
  • Santa María de Uribarri/Uribarriko Andra Mari, Durango, Vizcaya, País Vasco

[edit] Basílica de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora

[edit] History

The church was consecrated in Lekeitio in 1287, and was recorded as under construction in 1374. A century later, in 1487, it was all but ready for use. The neo-Gothic retrochoir by architect Casto de Zavala was added between 1881-1884, thanks to benefactor Pascual Abaroa

[edit] Building

The church consist of three staggered naves in four sections and a polygonal chevet at the centre, the latter surrounded by a lower retro-choir. On the main wall there is a narrow gallery, in the form of windows with sills decorated with blind tracery. The church has one of the finest triforia in all Basque Gothic Architecture. The archivolted west door is set into a façade blooming with tiny original sculptured decorations. The tower consists of an ancient shaft that rises to roof level and a more modern belfry above.

[edit] Furniture

The church is presided by a superb polychrome wood retable. The retable recounts the life of the Virgin in narrative and symbolic references.

[edit] Leadership

• Bishops of Bilbao (Roman rite)
  • Bishop Casimiro Morcillo González (13 May 1950 – 21 September 1955)
  • Bishop Pablo Gúrpide Beope (19 December 1955 – 18 November 1968)
  • Bishop Antonio Añoveros Ataún (3 December 1971 – 25 September 1978)
  • Bishop Luis María de Larrea y Legarreta (16 February 1979 – 8 August 1995)
  • Bishop Ricardo Blázquez Pérez (8 September 1995 - present)

[edit] See also

• Roman Catholicism in Spain

[edit] References

• Giga-Catholic Information
• Catholic Hierarchy
• Diocese website
• Basílica de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora de Lequeitio (Spanish language wikipedia)
• Basílica de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora homepage (english language)
• Andra Mariaren Zeruratzea
• Basilique L´Asuncion du Notre-Dame
• Basilica photographs

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