CUERNAVACA, Diocese of. - In the Republic of Mexico, suffragan of Mexico City. It was erected by Leo XIII on 23 June 1891 with the bull Illud in primis.
It embraces the entire State of Morelos, with an area of 4,911 sq. km. and a population of 220,000 inhabitants, of whom 210,000 are Catholics. Some of the 25 parishes into which the diocese is divided depend directly on the bishop, the others are grouped into two rural deaneries. The ministry has 40 diocesan priests and 6 regulars (1948).
The diocese possesses a minor seminary; for the study of philosophy and theology the students are sent to the major seminary of Veracruz or to the Mexican pontifical central seminary of Montezuma (United States).
Catholic Action is flourishing, and every two years it holds its diocesan assemblies. To ward off the danger of the public school, with its socialist tone, small elementary schools, called "escuela hogar," are widely diffused, directed in part by the "Madres Guadalupanas" (a Mexican women's congregation). C. has been one of the dioceses least affected by the recent religious persecution.
This region, after the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards, was evangelized by the Augustinians, the Dominicans and the Franciscans, who erected there great churches and convents, true jewels of colonial art. Worthy of special mention among others are the convents (now suppressed) of Yecapixtla, Zacualpan, Ocuituco, Tepoxtlan, Cuernavaca, etc.