Chihuahua, Diocese of

CHIHUAHUA, DIOCESE of. - In the Republic of Mexico, State of Chihuahua. Erected on 23 June 1891.

It is the largest in Mexico (245,612 sq. km.), with a population of approximately 747,650 inhabitants, of whom 704,500 are Catholics. In Tarahumara, in the south-western part of the Sierra Madre, there live 25,000 Indians, of whom 12,000 are still pagans. Their evangelization is undertaken by several Jesuits, who depend directly on Propaganda Fide. The diocese is divided into 51 parishes; it has 185 churches, 61 diocesan and 22 regular clergy, and one seminary (1948). It is suffragan to Durango.

The Cathedral, completed in 1789, has a façade crowned by two bell towers. Worthy of mention are the ancient church of S. Francesco and the modern churches dedicated to N. S. di Guadalupe, the S. Famiglia, and the expiatory temple of the S. Cuore.

(from G. Cugnoni, Agostino C. il Magnifico, Rome 1873)
CHIGI, FAMILY - Medal of Agostino C. preserved in the Chigiana Library - Rome.