ALAJUELA, Diocese of. – In the Republic of Costa Rica, a suffragan of San José de Costa Rica, erected on 12 February 1921 by Benedict XV. The episcopal see is located in A., the capital of the homonymous province. The diocese, which besides this province also encompasses those of Puntarenas and Guanacaste, has a population of 298,000 Catholics, and is divided into 28 parishes, served by 28 secular priests and 16 regular clergy. The episcopal city possesses a large hospital and a fine cathedral.
BIBL.: Enc. Univ. Lustr. Europeo-Americana, s.v., III, p. 919.