ALAJUELA, DIOCESE of. — In the Republic of Costa Rica, suffragan of S. José de Costarica, erected on 12 February 1921 by Benedict XV. The episcopal residence is located in A., capital of the province of the same name. The diocese, which in addition to this province also embraces those of Puntarenas and Guanacaste, has a population of 298,000 Catholics and is divided into 28 parishes, served by 28 priests of the secular clergy and 16 religious. The episcopal city possesses a large hospital and a beautiful cathedral.
BIBL.: Enc. Univ. Ilustr. Europeo-Americana, s. v., III, p. 919. Pietro Gómez