Roman Catholic Diocese of Smolensk

Former Latin Catholic diocese in Russia
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Diocese of Smolensk

Dioecesis Smolenscensis
Coat of arms of the Diocese of Smolensk
Coat of arms
Location
CountryPolish–Lithuanian Commonwealth/Russia
Ecclesiastical provinceGniezno
Information
DenominationCatholic Church
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
Established1636
Dissolved1818

The Diocese of Smolensk was a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church. Founded in 1636 and dissolved in 1818, it was initially located within the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and later in Czarist Russia.

History

The Latin Church bishopric was established in 1611 by King Sigismund III Vasa.[1] Its foundation was confirmed by the Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1618, however the first bishop Piotr Parczewski was appointed only in 1636. The see rather often served as a stepping stone to be transferred to other bishoprics in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Initially, the territory of the diocese formed part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, however, after the Truce of Andrusovo of 1667 it passed to Russia. Since then, the bishops of Smolensk resided in Warsaw.[2]

On 15 April 1783, it lost much of its territory due to the establishment of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mohilev.[2]

In 1818, it was suppressed and its territory merged into its Metropolitan and only daughter, the above Mohilev, which would be merged into the Diocese of Minsk and promoted to Metropolitan Archdiocese of Minsk-Mohilev at the dismemberment of the Soviet Union, so as to cover independent Belarus.

Episcopal ordinaries

Suffragan Bishops of Smolensk
Tymoteusz Paweł Gorzeński, last Bishop of Smolensk

References

  1. ^ Szot, Adam (2013). "STRUKTURY ADMINISTRACYJNE KOŚCIOŁA RZYMSKOKATOLICKIEGO W CESARSTWIE ROSYJSKIM (W LATACH 1772-1847)". Kościół w Polsce. Dzieje i kultura (in Polish) (12): 51–63. ISSN 2080-1238.
  2. ^ a b Szot, Adam (2013). "STRUKTURY ADMINISTRACYJNE KOŚCIOŁA RZYMSKOKATOLICKIEGO W CESARSTWIE ROSYJSKIM (W LATACH 1772-1847)". Kościół w Polsce. Dzieje i kultura (in Polish) (12): 51–63. ISSN 2080-1238. Biskupi smoleńscy rezydowali w Warszawie , a diecezja nie miała własnej katedry . Diecezja została skasowana przez papieża Piusa VI 15 kwietnia 1783 roku w związku z erygowaniem Archidiecezji Mohylewskiej .

External links