Apostolic Vicariate of Chaco Paraguayo, Paraguay 🇵🇾

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Name: Chaco Paraguayo / Ciachen(sis) (Latin)

Immediately subject to the Holy See

Neighbouring Dioceses: Pilcomayo (↙), Camiri (←), San Ignacio de Velasco (↑), Corumbá (↗), Jardim (→), Concepción (↘), Benjamín Aceval (↓)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (Universal) 📅

History

1948.03.11: Established as Apostolic Vicariate of Chaco Paraguayo / Ciachen(sis) (Latin) (from Diocese of Concepción y Chaco)

Present Prelates

Vicar Apostolic:

vacant

Ordinaries

Vicars Apostolic of Chaco Paraguayo (Roman Rite)

Bishop Gabriel Narciso Escobar Ayala, S.D.B. (55)
(2013.06.18 – 2026.08.28)

Titular Bishop of Media
Auxiliary Bishop of Asunción (Paraguay)

La caridad de Cristo nos urge

Born:	1971.06.18 (Asunción, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	2001.02.10
Consecrated Bishop:	2013.08.03

Vicar Apostolic of Chaco Paraguayo (Paraguay) (2013.06.18 – 2026.08.28)

Titular Bishop of Media (2013.06.18 – ...)

Auxiliary Bishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (2026.08.28 – ...)

Bishop Edmundo Ponciano Valenzuela Mellid, S.D.B. (81) (later Archbishop)
(2006.02.13 – 2011.11.08)

Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Asunción (Paraguay)

Al Padre, por Cristo en el Espíritu

Born:	1944.11.19 (Villarrica del Espíritu Santo, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1971.04.03
Consecrated Bishop:	2006.04.22

Titular Bishop of Uzalis (2006.02.13 – 2011.11.08)

Vicar Apostolic of Chaco Paraguayo (Paraguay) (2006.02.13 – 2011.11.08)

Vice-President of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (2011.11 – 2015.11.03)

Coadjutor Archbishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (2011.11.08 – 2014.11.06)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Asunción (Paraguay) (2014.11.06 – 2022.02.17)

President of Episcopal Conference of Paraguay (2015.11.03 – 2018.11.09)

Bishop Zacarías Ortiz Rolón, S.D.B.
(1988.03.12 – 2003.07.12)

Born:	1934.09.06 (Arroyos y Esteros, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1965.08.14
Consecrated Bishop:	1988.06.26
Died:	2020.01.06 (Asunción, Paraguay † 85)

Titular Bishop of Minori (1988.03.12 – 2003.07.12)

Vicar Apostolic of Chaco Paraguayo (Paraguay) (1988.03.12 – 2003.07.12)

Bishop of Concepción (Paraguay) (2003.07.12 – 2013.07.11)

Bishop Alejo del Carmen Obelar Colman, S.D.B.
(1969.03.06 – 1986.09.13)

Born:	1917.07.17 (Concepción, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1941.11.23
Consecrated Bishop:	1969.06.29
Died:	1989.12.30 († 72)

Vicar Apostolic of Chaco Paraguayo (Paraguay) (1969.03.06 – 1986.09.13)

Titular Bishop of Montemarano (1969.03.06 – 1989.12.30)

Bishop Angel Muzzolón, S.D.B.
(1948.03.11 – 1969)

Born:	1898.02.25 (Peñarol, Paraguay)
Ordained Priest:	1925.07.12
Consecrated Bishop:	1948.05.23
Died:	1984.10.27 († 86)

Vicar Apostolic of Chaco Paraguayo (Paraguay) (1948.03.11 – 1969)

Titular Bishop of Tyriæum (1948.03.11 – 1984.10.27)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Catedral María Auxiliadora de los Cristianos, Fuerte Olimpo, Alto Paraguay
Jubilee Churches in the Holy Year 2025

Pilcomayo (↙), Camiri (←), San Ignacio de Velasco (↑), Corumbá (↗), Jardim (→), Concepción (↘), Benjamín Aceval (↓)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 96,000 km²

Population: 18,600 Catholics (82.7% of 22,500 total)

Pastoral Centres: 12 parishes, 7 missions

Personnel: 11 priests (2 diocesan, 9 religious), 2 deacons, 37 religious (21 brothers, 16 sisters), 6 seminarians