View source for Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia

{{Diocese
|diocese_name=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia
|Type=Archdiocese
|Country=Brazil
|AdministrativeSubdivision=Bahia
|Bishop=Sérgio da Rocha
|Website=https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br
|Newspaper=https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/revista-primaz
|CatholicPercentage=70.4
|CatholicElementarySchools=25
|CatholicHighSchools=10
|Deaneries=12
|Priests=350
|FoundingYear=1551
|PredecessorDiocese=[[Archdiocese of Funchal]]
|CatholicHospitals=3
|Status=Active
|Rite=Latin
|EcclesiasticalProvince=Province of São Salvador da Bahia
|SuffraganDioceses=[[Diocese of Alagoinhas]], [[Diocese of Amargosa]], [[Diocese of Camaçari]], [[Diocese of Cruz das Almas]], [[Diocese of Eunápolis]], [[Diocese of Ilhéus]], [[Diocese of Itabuna]], [[Diocese of Teixeira de Freitas-Caravelas]]
|Rating=3.2
}}
The '''Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia''', a [[Latin Rite]] [[Archdiocese]], is an active metropolitan see in [[Brazil]], encompassing parts of [[Bahia]] state, including the city of [[Salvador, Bahia|Salvador]]. Established as a diocese on 25 February 1551 by [[Pope Julius III]] and elevated to an archdiocese in 1676, it is led by Cardinal Sérgio da Rocha as of 2020, holding the title of Primate of Brazil. As the head of the [[Ecclesiastical Province of São Salvador da Bahia]], it oversees eight suffragan dioceses and is a cornerstone of Brazilian Catholicism. Notably, its [[Catedral Basílica Primacial do Santíssimo Salvador]], a Jesuit-built cathedral from the 17th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major pilgrimage destination.



== Establishment ==
The Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia was established as a diocese on 25 February 1551 by [[Pope Julius III]] through the bull *Super specula militantis Ecclesiae*, carved from the [[Archdiocese of Funchal]] to serve the growing Catholic population in colonial [[Brazil]]. It was elevated to an archdiocese on 16 November 1676 by [[Pope Innocent XI]] via the bull *Inter Pastoralis Officii Curas*, becoming the primatial see of Brazil.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsasb.html |title=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsasb.html)

== History ==
=== Colonial Era ===
Founded in 1551, the diocese became the first Catholic see in [[Brazil]], initially under the jurisdiction of the [[Patriarchate of Lisbon]]. Its elevation to an archdiocese in 1676 established it as the metropolitan see for suffragan dioceses like [[Diocese of Olinda]] and [[Diocese of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro]]. In 1707, Archbishop Sebastião Monteiro da Vide convened the first synod, producing the *Constituições Primeiras do Arcebispado da Bahia*, a key colonial religious document.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/historia-e-geografia |title=História e Geografia |website=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/historia-e-geografia/)

=== 19th and 20th Centuries ===
Until 1892, the archdiocese was the largest in the world by area, overseeing all Brazilian dioceses. It faced challenges post-independence with liberal reforms but remained influential under leaders like Cardinal Augusto Álvaro da Silva (1924–1968). Its territory was reduced over time as new dioceses were created.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arquidiocese_de_S%C3%A3o_Salvador_da_Bahia |title=Arquidiocese de São Salvador da Bahia |website=Wikipédia |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arquidiocese_de_S%25C3%25A3o_Salvador_da_Bahia)

=== Modern Era ===
In 2011, the archdiocese regained ownership of the Archbishop’s Palace from IPHAN, converting part into a cultural center. It continues to be a spiritual hub, with significant devotion to [[Saint Dulce of the Poor]], canonized in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbishop%27s_Palace_of_Salvador |title=Archbishop’s Palace of Salvador |website=Wikipedia |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archbishop%27s_Palace_of_Salvador)

== Geography ==
The Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia spans five municipalities in [[Bahia]]:
* Itaparica
* Lauro de Freitas
* Salinas da Margarida
* Salvador
* Vera Cruz
It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the [[Archdiocese of Feira de Santana]], and the dioceses of [[Diocese of Amargosa|Amargosa]], [[Diocese of Cruz das Almas|Cruz das Almas]], and [[Diocese of Camaçari|Camaçari]]. It is the metropolitan see of the [[Ecclesiastical Province of São Salvador da Bahia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/historia-e-geografia |title=História e Geografia |website=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/historia-e-geografia/)

== Mother Church ==
[[Catedral Basílica Primacial do Santíssimo Salvador]] in [[Salvador, Bahia|Salvador]], a Jesuit-built structure from the 17th century, serves as the archdiocese’s mother church and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been the primatial cathedral since 1765, replacing the now-ruined former cathedral.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gcatholic.org/churches/brazil/zsal0.htm |title=Catedral Basílica Primacial do Santíssimo Salvador |website=GCatholic.org |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://gcatholic.org/churches/brazil/0403.htm)

== Leadership ==
=== Current Bishop ===
Cardinal Sérgio da Rocha has served as Archbishop since 11 March 2020. A former president of the Brazilian Bishops’ Conference, he emphasizes social justice and evangelization.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/brochase.html |title=Cardinal Sérgio da Rocha |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsasb.html)

=== Auxiliary Bishops ===
* Bishop Valter Magno de Carvalho, appointed 4 November 2020, focuses on youth ministry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsasb.html |title=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsasb.html)
* Bishop Giovanni Crippa, I.M.C., appointed 2021, oversees pastoral planning.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsasb.html |title=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsasb.html)

=== Past Bishops ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Name
! Tenure
! Notes
|-
| Juan de Zumárraga
| 1530–1548
| First bishop; oversaw early evangelization.
|-
| Sebastião Monteiro da Vida, S.J.
| 1701–1722
| Convened first synod; built Archbishop’s Palace.
|-
| Augusto Álvaro da Silva
| 1924–1968
| Cardinal; strengthened diocesan institutions.
|-
| Geraldo Majella Agnelo
| 1999–2011
| Cardinal; retired.
|}
<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsasb.html |title=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsasb.html)

== Theological and Cultural Orientation ==
The archdiocese is balanced (rating: 3.2), offering Traditional Latin Masses monthly in 5–10% of parishes, emphasizing both pro-life teachings and social outreach like the Pastoral do Menor for youth, and led by a cardinal advocating for dialogue and community engagement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/pastorais |title=Pastorais |website=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/)

== Statistics ==
The archdiocese covers 1,320 square miles (3,419 km²), serves 2.5 million registered Catholics across 109 parishes, and has a total population of 3.5 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/historia-e-geografia |title=História e Geografia |website=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/historia-e-geografia/)

== Religious Communities ==
=== Jesuits ===
The [[Jesuits]] operate educational programs and manage historical sites like the [[Catedral Basílica Primacial do Santíssimo Salvador]]. Address: Praça Terreiro de Jesus, 40020-210 Salvador, BA.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jesuitasbrasil.org.br |title=Jesuítas Brasil |website=Jesuítas Brasil |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref> [https://jesuits.org Jesuits]

=== Sisters of Charity ===
The [[Sisters of Charity]] run healthcare and social services, including support for [[Saint Dulce of the Poor]]’s legacy. Address: Largo de Roma, 40301-110 Salvador, BA.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.irmadulce.org.br |title=Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce |website=OSID |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref> [https://sistersofcharity.org Sisters of Charity]

== Parishes ==
{{Main|List of parishes in Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia}}
{{Diocese map|Diocese=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia|Where=São Salvador da Bahia}}
{{Diocese parish table|Where=São Salvador da Bahia}}
The Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia serves 109 parishes across 12 deaneries, with vibrant devotions to [[Saint Dulce of the Poor]] and [[Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/paroquias |title=Paróquias |website=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/)

== Mission and Services ==
=== Catholic Education ===
The archdiocese manages 35 schools:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! School Name
! City
! Type
! Website
|-
| Colégio Antônio Vieira
| Salvador
| High School
| [https://www.cavjesuitas.org.br Colégio Antônio Vieira]
|-
| Escola São José
| Salvador
| Elementary
| [https://www.escolasaojose.com.br Escola São José]
|}
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/educacao |title=Educação |website=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/)

=== Community Outreach ===
Pastoral do Menor, in collaboration with CEIFAR, supports 5,000 youths annually with family planning and educational programs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/pastorais |title=Pastorais |website=Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/)

== Notable Events or Figures ==
In 2019, [[Saint Dulce of the Poor]], a native of [[Salvador, Bahia|Salvador]], was canonized, with her shrine at the Santuário Dulce dos Pobres drawing thousands. [[Pope John Paul II]] visited in 1980 and 1991, the latter to see [[Saint Dulce of the Poor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arquidiocese_de_S%C3%A3o_Salvador_da_Bahia |title=Arquidiocese de São Salvador da Bahia |website=Wikipédia |accessdate=2025-09-28}}</ref>[](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arquidiocese_de_S%25C3%25A3o_Salvador_da_Bahia)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External Links ==
* [https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br Official website]
* [https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/revista-primaz Revista Primaz]
* [https://www.gcatholic.org/churches/brazil/zsal0.htm Catedral Basílica Primacial]
* [https://www.irmadulce.org.br Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce]

[[Category:Catholic dioceses in Brazil]]
[[Category:Archdioceses]]
[[Category:Dioceses established in the 16th century]]