The Territorial Prelature of Illapel ( la, Praelatura Territorialis Ilapensis) is a
territorial prelature
A territory is an area of land, sea, or space, particularly belonging or connected to a country, person, or animal.
In international politics, a territory is usually either the total area from which a state may extract power resources or an ...
located in the city of
Illapel
Illapel () is a Chilean city, which is the capital of the Choapa Province, Coquimbo Region. It lies along the Illapel River and marks the country's narrowest point along a parallel (94 km). It is located to the east of Los Vilos.
Administr ...
in the
Ecclesiastical province
An ecclesiastical province is one of the basic forms of jurisdiction in Christian Churches with traditional hierarchical structure, including Western Christianity and Eastern Christianity. In general, an ecclesiastical province consists of seve ...
of
La Serena in Chile.
History
* 30 April 1960: Established as Territorial Prelature of Illapel from the Metropolitan Archdiocese of La Serena and
Diocese of San Felipe
Leadership, in reverse chronological order
* Prelates of Illapel (Roman rite)
** Bishop Jorge Patricio Vega Velasco, S.V.D. (2010.02.20 – present)
** Bishop Rafael de la Barra Tagle, S.V.D. (1989.06.17 – 2010.02.20)
** Bishop
Pablo Lizama Riquelme (1985.12.19 – 1988.02.24), appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Talca; future Archbishop
** Bishop Cirilo
Polidoro Van Vlierberghe,
O.F.M. (1966.06.27 – 1984.08.11)
** Bishop Cirilo Polidoro Van Vlierberghe, O.F.M. (Apostolic Administrator 1960 – 1966.06.27)
Sources
GCatholic.org Prelature website
Roman Catholic dioceses in Chile
Christian organizations established in 1960
Roman Catholic dioceses and prelatures established in the 20th century
Illapel, Territorial Prelature of
Territorial prelatures
1960 establishments in Chile
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