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The Archdiocese of Białystok (Latin: Bialostocen(sis); Belarusian: Беластоцкая архідыяцэзія, romanized: Biełastockaja archidyjacezia) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Podlaskie Voivodeship, Northeastern Poland. It is a metropolitan see with two suffragan dioceses.

Its cathedral archiepiscopal see is Bazylika Archikatedralna Wniebowzięcia NMP, a minor basilica in the episcopal see of Białystok. It also has a second minor basilica : Bazylika Ofiarowania Najświętszej Marii Panny, dedicated to the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in Różanystok.

Ecclesiastical province

Its Suffragan sees are :

• Diocese of Drohiczyn
• Diocese of Łomża

Statistics

As of 2022, it pastorally served 352,330 Catholics (80.5% of 437,790 total; however only 43,2% are active members) on 5,550 km² in 116 parishes and 25 missions with 390 priests (360 diocesan, 30 religious), 190 lay religious (34 brothers, 156 sisters) and 60 seminarians.

History

• Established June 5, 1991 as Diocese of Białystok on Polish territory split off from the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Vilnius in Lithuania
• Enjoyed a Papal visit from the Pope John Paul II in June 1991.
• Promoted on March 25, 1992, by the same as Archdiocese of Białystok

Episcopal ordinaries

Bishops of Białystok

• Edward Kisiel (1991.06.05 – retired 1992.03.25), died 1993; previously Titular Bishop of Limata (1976.05.03 – 1991.06.05) as Apostolic Administrator of Białystok (1976.05.03 – 1991.06.05)

Metropolitan Archbishops of Białystok

• Stanisław Szymecki (1993.05.15 – retired 2000.11.16), previously Bishop of Kielce (Poland) (1981.03.27 – 1993.05.15)
• Wojciech Ziemba (2000.11.16 – retired 2006.05.30); next Metropolitan Archbishop of Warmia (Poland) (2006.05.30 – 2016.10.15); previously Titular Bishop of Falerone (1982.06.19 – 1992.03.25) as Auxiliary Bishop of Warmia (Poland) (1982.06.19 – 1992.03.25), Bishop of Ełk (Poland) (1992.03.25 – 2000.11.16)
• Edward Ozorowski (2006.10.20 – retired 2017.04.12); previously Titular Bishop of Bitetto (1979.01.31 – 2006.10.20), first as Auxiliary Bishop of Vilnius (Lithuania) (1979.01.31 – 1991.06.05), then as Auxiliary Bishop of Białystok (1991.06.05 – succession 2006.10.20)
• Tadeusz Wojda, (S.A.C.) (2017.06.10 – 2021.03.02); next Metropolitan Archbishop of Gdańsk (Poland) (since 2021.03.25); previously Undersecretary of the Roman Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (2012.07.24 – 2017.04.12).^[1][2]
• Józef Guzdek (3 September 2021 – present); previously Titular Bishop of Treba (2004.09.15 – 2010.12.04) as Auxiliary Bishop of the Kraków, Bishop of Military Ordinariate of Poland (Poland) (2010.12.19 – 2021.07.14)

See also

• List of Catholic dioceses in Poland
• Roman Catholicism in Poland

References

• Gulbinowicz, Piotr Nitecki (2000). Biskupi Kościoła w Polsce w latach 965 - 1999 : słownik biograficzny (Wyd. 2 popr. i uzup. ed.). Warszawa: "Pax". ISBN 83-211-1311-7.

Sources and external links

• GCatholic.org, with Google map & satellite photo - data for all sections
• Catholic Hierarchy ^{[self-published]}
• Diocese website (in Polish)

53°7′59.23″N 23°9′51.08″E / 53.1331194°N 23.1641889°E / 53.1331194; 23.1641889