Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia

Stored: Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia

Diocese: Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia
Status:	Active
Rite:	Latin
Type:	Archdiocese
Ecclesiastical Province:	Province of São Salvador da Bahia
Suffragan Dioceses:	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
Metropolitan Archdiocese:
Country:	Brazil
Region:	Bahia
Bishop:	Sérgio da Rocha
Website:	https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br
Newspaper:	https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/revista-primaz
Catholic Percentage:	70.4%
Catholic Elementary Schools:	25
Catholic High Schools:	10
Deaneries:	12
Priests:	350
Existence:	1551–
Predecessor Diocese:	Archdiocese of Funchal
Successor Diocese:
Catholic Hospitals:	3
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. 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.[](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.[](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.[](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.[](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 Amargosa, Cruz das Almas, and Camaçari. It is the metropolitan see of the Ecclesiastical Province of São Salvador da Bahia.[](https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/historia-e-geografia/)

Mother Church

Catedral Basílica Primacial do Santíssimo Salvador in 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.[](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.[](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsasb.html)

Auxiliary Bishops

• Bishop Valter Magno de Carvalho, appointed 4 November 2020, focuses on youth ministry.[](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsasb.html)
• Bishop Giovanni Crippa, I.M.C., appointed 2021, oversees pastoral planning.[](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsasb.html)

Past Bishops

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.

[](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.[](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.[](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. 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. Sisters of Charity

Parishes

Main article: List of parishes in Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia

Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia
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This map created from a Cargo query ()

No results 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.[](https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/)

Mission and Services

Catholic Education

The archdiocese manages 35 schools:

School Name	City	Type	Website
Colégio Antônio Vieira	Salvador	High School	Colégio Antônio Vieira
Escola São José	Salvador	Elementary	Escola São José

[](https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/)

Community Outreach

Pastoral do Menor, in collaboration with CEIFAR, supports 5,000 youths annually with family planning and educational programs.[](https://arquidiocesesalvador.org.br/)

Notable Events or Figures

In 2019, Saint Dulce of the Poor, a native of 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.[](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arquidiocese_de_S%25C3%25A3o_Salvador_da_Bahia)

External Links

• Official website
• Revista Primaz
• Catedral Basílica Primacial
• Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce