Diocese of Porto, Portugal

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Diocese of Porto

Overview
The Diocese of Porto is a Latin Church Catholic diocese in Portugal. It is a suffragan to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Braga. Its see is in Porto, the Norte region’s largest city. The diocese was probably founded in the middle of the 6th century. It covers about 3,010 square kilometers and serves roughly 2 million people, with about 1.89 million Catholics, making up around 90% of the population. It has 477 parishes. The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady in Porto is the main church. The patron is the Assumption of Mary. The diocese follows the Roman Rite and the Latin Church.

Statistics and leadership
- Denomination: Roman Catholic
- Established: 588
- Cathedral: Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady in Porto
- Parishes: 477
- Area: 3,010 km2 (1,160 sq mi)
- Catholics: about 1.89 million (as of 2016; ~90% of the population)
- Secular priests: 286 (diocesan) and 93 (religious orders)
- Deacons: 93
- Current bishop: Manuel da Silva Rodrigues Linda
- Metropolitan Archbishop: Jorge Ferreira da Costa Ortiga
- Auxiliary bishops: Pio de Souza, Armando Esteves Domingues, Vitorino Soares
- Bishop emeritus: João Miranda Teixeira
- Website: Official site of the Diocese

History (simplified)
- The diocese likely began in the mid-6th century. Early bishops appeared in regional church councils in the Visigothic era.
- Porto faced Moorish invasions around 716, with periods of depopulation and later Christian restoration.
- Hugo (Hugh) served as bishop from 1114 to 1136. He helped enlarge the diocese, secured exemptions from church authorities in Braga, and expanded the cathedral’s resources.
- Through the Middle Ages, the diocese saw many changes and conflicts with the Portuguese crown, including jurisdiction disputes and interdicts during royal struggles.
- In the 17th and 18th centuries, Porto’s see experienced further political-religious tensions, vacancies, and administrative changes.
- In the 19th century, relations between Portugal and the Holy See were restored by a concordat. Notable bishops included Américo Ferreira dos Santos Silva, who was made cardinal in 1879, and later bishops who guided the diocese into the 20th century.
- The Porto Cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and historically organized with a chapter and canons.

Note
This summary highlights the diocese’s identity, size, population, and leadership, along with a concise view of its long history from its early origins to the present.