Apostolic Vicariate of

Leticia

Colombia Colombia

Continent: South America

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Apostolic Vicariate Apostolic Vicariate

Name: Leticia (español) / Lætitiæ (Latin)

Immediately subject to the Holy See

Neighbouring Dioceses: San José de Amazonas (←), Puerto Leguízamo–Solano (↖), Mitú (↗), Tefé (↗), Alto Solimões (→)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

Present Prelates

Vicar Apostolic (2025.12.04 – ...):Bishop John Mario Mesa Palacio (59)Bishop John Mario Mesa Palacio (59)

Ordinaries

Vicars Apostolic of Leticia (Roman Rite)

Bishop John Mario Mesa Palacio (59)Bishop John Mario Mesa Palacio (59)
(2025.12.04 – ...)

Vicar Apostolic of Leticia (Colombia)

Servus regni et evangelii

Born:1966.06.08 (Belmira, Colombia)
Ordained Priest:1993.11.23
Consecrated Bishop:2026.02.24

Priest of Santa Rosa de Osos (Colombia) (1993.11.23 – 2025.12.04)

Vicar Apostolic of Leticia (Colombia) (2025.12.04 – ...)

Bishop José de Jesús Quintero Díaz (76)Bishop José de Jesús Quintero Díaz (76)
(2000.10.23 – 2025.12.04)

Titular Bishop of Chimæra
Vicar Apostolic emeritus of Leticia (Colombia)

Born:1949.08.15 (Copacabana, Colombia)
Ordained Priest:1975.07.26
Consecrated Bishop:1996.03.02

Priest of Istmina–Tadó (Colombia) (1975.07.26 – 1996.01.05)

Bishop-Prelate of Tibú (Colombia) (1996.01.05 – 1998.12.29)

Bishop of Tibú (Colombia) (1998.12.29 – 2000.10.23)

Vicar Apostolic of Leticia (Colombia) (2000.10.23 – 2025.12.04)

Titular Bishop of Chimæra (2000.10.23 – ...)

Prefects Apostolic of Leticia (Roman Rite)

Fr. William de Jesús Ruiz Velásquez
(1997.07.08 – 2000.10.23)

Born:1942.10.02 (Entrerríos, Colombia)
Ordained Priest:1966.09.11
Died:2024.06.25 (Medellín, Colombia † 81)

Priest of Santa Rosa de Osos (Colombia) (1966.09.11 – 1997.07.08)

Prefect Apostolic of Leticia (Colombia) (1997.07.08 – 2000.10.23)

Fr. Alfonso Yepes Rojo
(1989.03.04 – 1990.05.21)

Born:1952.01.04 (Don Matías, Colombia)
Ordained Priest:1980.11.21
Died:1990.05.21 († 38)

Prefect Apostolic of Leticia (Colombia) (1989.03.04 – 1990.05.21)

Fr. Marceliano Eduardo Canyes Santacana, O.F.M. Cap.
(1952.01.11 – 1989.03.04)

Born:1913.03.04 (Vilafranca del Penedès, Spain)
Ordained Priest:1935.12.21
Died:1989.05.10 († 76)

Prefect Apostolic of Leticia (Colombia) (1952.01.11 – 1989.03.04)

Special Churches

San José de Amazonas (←), Puerto Leguízamo–Solano (↖), Mitú (↗), Tefé (↗), Alto Solimões (→)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 109,665 km²

Population: 81,703 Catholics (94.8% of 86,151 total)

Pastoral Centres: 13 parishes

Personnel: 24 priests (20 diocesan, 4 religious), 15 religious (5 brothers, 10 sisters), 1 seminarian

Population

Pastoral Centres

Priests

Religious

Seminarians

Last updated on 2026.03.30

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