The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kaunas () is a
Latin Church
The Latin Church () is the largest autonomous () particular church within the Catholic Church, whose members constitute the vast majority of the 1.3 billion Catholics. The Latin Church is one of 24 Catholic particular churches and liturgical ...
ecclesiastical territory or
archdiocese
In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop.
History
In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associated ...
of the
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
in
Lithuania
Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, P ...
. The
episcopal see
An episcopal see is the area of a bishop's ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
Phrases concerning actions occurring within or outside an episcopal see are indicative of the geographical significance of the term, making it synonymous with ''diocese'' ...
is in
Kaunas
Kaunas (; ) is the second-largest city in Lithuania after Vilnius, the fourth largest List of cities in the Baltic states by population, city in the Baltic States and an important centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaun ...
, the second-largest city in Lithuania. The archdiocese's
motherchurch and
cathedral
A cathedral is a church (building), church that contains the of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, Annual conferences within Methodism, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually s ...
is
Kaunas Cathedral Basilica
Cathedral Basilica of apostles St. Peter and St. Paul of Kaunas () is a Roman Catholic cathedral basilica in Kaunas, Lithuania.
History
The exact date when the first Gothic style church dedicated to apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, was ...
; it is also home to a
Minor Basilica
Basilicas are Catholic church buildings that have a designation, conferring special privileges, given by the Pope. Basilicas are distinguished for ceremonial purposes from other churches. The building need not be a basilica in the architectura ...
in a town of
Å iluva
Å iluva is a small town of less than 700 inhabitants in Lithuania. It is located in the Regions of Lithuania, region of Samogitia. It is List of Catholic pilgrimage sites in Lithuania, a major site of Catholic pilgrimage in Lithuania.
History
Å ...
, in the region of
Samogitia
Samogitia, often known by its Lithuanian language, Lithuanian name ''Žemaitija'' (Samogitian language, Samogitian: ''Žemaitėjė''; see Samogitia#Etymology and alternative names, below for alternative and historical names) is one of the five ...
.
History
Predecessor of the diocese was established according to directions from the
Council of Constance
The Council of Constance (; ) was an ecumenical council of the Catholic Church that was held from 1414 to 1418 in the Bishopric of Constance (Konstanz) in present-day Germany. This was the first time that an ecumenical council was convened in ...
on October 24, 1417, as the Diocese of
Samogitia
Samogitia, often known by its Lithuanian language, Lithuanian name ''Žemaitija'' (Samogitian language, Samogitian: ''Žemaitėjė''; see Samogitia#Etymology and alternative names, below for alternative and historical names) is one of the five ...
(; ), with a see in
Medininkai
Medininkai (; ; , old ) is a village in Lithuania. Administrationwise it is centre to the :lt:Medininkų seniūnija, Medininkai Eldership, which forms part of the Vilnius District Municipality; the district itself is in turn part of the Vilnius C ...
as a
suffragan Diocese
A suffragan diocese is one of the dioceses other than the metropolitan archdiocese that constitute an ecclesiastical province. It exists in some Christian denominations, in particular the Catholic Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandr ...
of the
Archdiocese of Gniezno
The Archdiocese of Gniezno (, ) is the oldest Latin Catholic archdiocese in Poland, located in the city of Gniezno. . It was the second Catholic diocese in
ethnic Lithuanian parts of the
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a sovereign state in northeastern Europe that existed from the 13th century, succeeding the Kingdom of Lithuania, to the late 18th century, when the territory was suppressed during the 1795 Partitions of Poland, ...
.
On March 25, 1798, it lost territory to establish the
Diocese of Wigry and became a suffragan see of the
Archdiocese of Mohilev (until 1926). On July 3, 1848, it gained territory from the persisting then
Diocese of Vilnius
In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop.
History
In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associated ...
, now Lithuania's other Metropolitan see. On June 9, 1920, it lost territory to the existing
Diocese of Riga (in
Latvia
Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to t ...
), while in the next year it gained territory from the persisting
Diocese of Sejny (in
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...
).
The
Apostolic constitution
An apostolic constitution () is the most solemn form of legislation issued by the Pope.New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law, pg. 57, footnote 36.
By their nature, apostolic constitutions are addressed to the public. Generic constitutions use ...
, issued by
Pius XI
Pope Pius XI (; born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, ; 31 May 1857 – 10 February 1939) was head of the Catholic Church from 6 February 1922 until his death in February 1939. He was also the first sovereign of the Vatican City State u ...
, intended to structure the diocesan territories in accordance with the actual boundaries of Lithuanian Republic after the
Declaration of Independence
A declaration of independence is an assertion by a polity in a defined territory that it is independent and constitutes a state. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another state or failed state, or are breaka ...
in 1918. Due to fact, that claimed Lithuanian capital city
Vilnius
Vilnius ( , ) is the capital of and List of cities in Lithuania#Cities, largest city in Lithuania and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, most-populous city in the Baltic states. The city's estimated January 2025 population w ...
and the eastern parts of the country were seized by Polish troops in 1920 and annexed by
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...
in 1922, Kaunas became not only the
Temporary capital of Lithuania
The temporary capital of Lithuania () was the official designation of the city of Kaunas in Lithuania during the interwar period. It was in contrast to the declared capital in Vilnius, which was the capital of the Republic of Central Lithuania ( ...
but also was promoted by
Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI (; born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, ; 31 May 1857 – 10 February 1939) was head of the Catholic Church from 6 February 1922 until his death in February 1939. He was also the first sovereign of the Vatican City State u ...
on April 4, 1926, into the
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kaunas, initially with as
suffragan sees Vilkaviškis
Vilkaviškis () is a city in southwestern Lithuania, the administrative center of the Vilkaviškis District Municipality. It is located northwest from Marijampolė, at the confluence of and rivers.
The city got its name from the Vilkauj ...
and
Telšiai
Telšiai (; Samogitian language, Samogitian: ''Telšē'') is a city in Lithuania with about 21,499 inhabitants. It is the capital of Telšiai County and Samogitia region, and it is located on the shores of Lake Mastis.
Telšiai is one of the ol ...
in the new Lithuanian
ecclesiastical province
An ecclesiastical province is one of the basic forms of jurisdiction in Christian churches, including those of both Western Christianity and Eastern Christianity, that have traditional hierarchical structures. An ecclesiastical province consist ...
. The then
diocese of Vilnius
In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop.
History
In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associated ...
was also elevated into a Metropolitan Archbishopric with its ecclesiastical province in Polish territory.
It enjoyed a Papal Visit from
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II (born Karol Józef Wojtyła; 18 May 19202 April 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 16 October 1978 until Death and funeral of Pope John Paul II, his death in 2005.
In his you ...
in September 1993. On May 28, 1997, parts of the archdiocese have been ceded to the newly founded suffragan
Diocese of Å iauliai.
Province
Its
ecclesiastical province
An ecclesiastical province is one of the basic forms of jurisdiction in Christian churches, including those of both Western Christianity and Eastern Christianity, that have traditional hierarchical structures. An ecclesiastical province consist ...
comprises the Metropolitan's own archbishopric and the following
suffragan
A suffragan bishop is a type of bishop in some Christian denominations.
In the Catholic Church, a suffragan bishop leads a diocese within an ecclesiastical province other than the principal diocese, the metropolitan archdiocese; the diocese led ...
sees :
*
Roman Catholic Diocese of Å iauliai
*
Roman Catholic Diocese of Telšiai
*
Roman Catholic Diocese of Vilkaviškis
Episcopal ordinaries
;''Suffragan Bishops of Samogitia''
:''See
List of bishops of Samogitia.''
* Matthias di Trakai (1417.10.23 – 1422.05.04), later Bishop of
Vilnius
Vilnius ( , ) is the capital of and List of cities in Lithuania#Cities, largest city in Lithuania and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, most-populous city in the Baltic states. The city's estimated January 2025 population w ...
(1422.05.04 – death 1453.05.09)
* Mikalojus Trakiškis (1423.08.06 – death 1434.03)
* Petras da Leopoli (1434.09.20 – death 1435.09)
* Jokūbas Vilnietis (1436.05.18 – death 1439.06.08)
* Baltramiejus Pultuskietis (1440 – death 1453.10.26)
* Jurgis Vilnietis (1453.12.19 – death 1464.02.25)
* Motiejus Topolietis (1464.08.08 – death 1470.04.24)
* Baltramiejus SvirenkaviÄius (1471.02.13 – death 1482)
* Martynas di Samogizia (1483.02.21 – death 1492)
* Martynas Lintfaras (Marcin Lintfari) (1492.10.08 – death 1515)
* Mikalojus Radvila (
Mikołaj III Radziwiłł) (1521.07.18 – death 1530.11.03)
* Mikalojus Vizgaila (Mikołaj Wieżgajło) (1531.02.15 – death 1533.01.19)
* Vaclovas Virbickis (Wacław Wierzbicki) (1534.04.13 – death 1555.07.18)
* Jonas Domanovskis (Jan Domanowski) (1556.04.13 – death 1563.11)
* Stanislovas Narkuskis (Stanisław Narkuski) (1564.06.21 – death 1564.09)
* Viktorinas Virbickis (Wiktoryn Wierzbicki) (1565.06.08 – 1567.08.22), later Bishop of
Åuck and WÅ‚odzimierz (Poland) (1567.08.22 – 1586)
* Jurgis PetkÅ«nas PetkeviÄius (Jerzy Pietkiewicz) (1567.11.14 – death 1574.07)
* Merkelis Giedraitis (Melchior Giedroyć) (1576.01.16 – death 1609.04.06)
* Mikalojus Pacas (Mikołaj Pac) (1610.03.29 – retired 1618.11.26), previously
Auxiliary Bishop
An auxiliary bishop is a bishop assigned to assist the diocesan bishop in meeting the pastoral and administrative needs of the diocese. Auxiliary bishops can also be titular bishops of sees that no longer exist as territorial jurisdictions.
...
of
Vilnius
Vilnius ( , ) is the capital of and List of cities in Lithuania#Cities, largest city in Lithuania and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, most-populous city in the Baltic states. The city's estimated January 2025 population w ...
&
Titular Bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.
By definition, a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop, the tradition of the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox an ...
of
Modon (1602.09.09 – 1610.03.29)
* Stanislovas Kiška (
Stanisław Kiszka) (1618.11.26 – death 1626.02.13)
* Abraomas Voina (
Abraham Woyna
Abraham Woyna (Wojna; ) (1569–1649) was a Roman Catholic priest and auxiliary bishop of Vilnius (1611–1626), bishop of Samogitia (1626–1631) and then bishop of Vilnius (1631–1649). His term in office was marked by the rise of Calvinism in ...
) (1626.07.20 – 1631.03.24), previously Titular Bishop of
Modon (1611.05.25 – 1626.07.20) & Auxiliary Bishop of Vilnius (Lithuania) (1611.05.25 – 1626.07.20); later Bishop of Vilnius (1631.03.24 – death 1649.04.14)
* Merkelis ElijaÅ¡eviÄius GeiÅ¡as (Melchior Elijaszewicz Geisz) (1631.06.11 – death 1633.01.28)
* Jurgis TiÅ¡keviÄius (
Jerzy Tyszkiewicz) (1633.12.19 – 1649.12.09), previously Titular Bishop of
Modon (1627.05.17 – 1633.12.19) & Auxiliary Bishop of
Vilnius
Vilnius ( , ) is the capital of and List of cities in Lithuania#Cities, largest city in Lithuania and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, most-populous city in the Baltic states. The city's estimated January 2025 population w ...
(1627.05.17 – 1633.12.19); later Bishop of Vilnius (1649.12.09 – death 1656.01.17)
* Petras ParÄevskis (
Piotr Parczewski) (1649.12.09 – death 1658.12.06), previously Bishop of
Smolensk
Smolensk is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River, west-southwest of Moscow.
First mentioned in 863, it is one of the oldest cities in Russia. It has been a regional capital for most of ...
(Lithuania) (1636.09.01 – 1649.12.09)
* Aleksandras Kazimieras Sapiega (
Aleksander Kazimierz Sapieha) (1660.01.12 – 1667.07.18), previously Titular Bishop of
Modon (1655.08.02 – 1660.01.12) & Auxiliary Bishop of Vilnius (Lithuania) (1655.08.02 – 1660.01.12); later Bishop of Vilnius (1667.07.18 – death 1671.05.22)
* Kazimieras Pacas (
Kazimierz Pac) (1667.10.03 – death 1695), previously Bishop of
Smolensk
Smolensk is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River, west-southwest of Moscow.
First mentioned in 863, it is one of the oldest cities in Russia. It has been a regional capital for most of ...
(Lithuania) (1664.01.14 – 1667.10.03)
* Jonas Jeronimas Krišpinas-Kiršenšteinas (Jan Hieronim Kryszpin-Kirszensztein) (1695.09.19 – death 1708.07.14), previously Titular Bishop of
Martiria (1696.01.02 – 1706.01.25) & Auxiliary Bishop of
Vilnius
Vilnius ( , ) is the capital of and List of cities in Lithuania#Cities, largest city in Lithuania and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, most-populous city in the Baltic states. The city's estimated January 2025 population w ...
(1696.01.02 – 1710.07.21)
* Jonas Mikalojus Zgierskis (Jan Mikołaj Zgierski) (1710.07.21 – death 1713.12.06), previously Titular Bishop of
Martiria (1696.01.02 – 1706.01.25) & Auxiliary Bishop of Vilnius (Lithuania) (1696.01.02 – 1710.07.21) and next Bishop of
Smolensk
Smolensk is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River, west-southwest of Moscow.
First mentioned in 863, it is one of the oldest cities in Russia. It has been a regional capital for most of ...
(Russia) (1706.01.25 – 1710.07.21)
* Povilas Pranciškus Sapiega (Paweł Franciszek Sapieha),
Cistercians
The Cistercians (), officially the Order of Cistercians (, abbreviated as OCist or SOCist), are a Catholic religious order of monks and nuns that branched off from the Benedictines and follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, as well as the contri ...
(O. Cist.) (1715.01.21 – death 1715.10.01)
* Aleksandras Mikalojus Gorainis (Aleksander Mikołaj Horain) (1716.12.07 – death 1735.12.07), previously Titular
Bishop of Tiberias (1704.09.15 – 1711.12.23) & Auxiliary Bishop of Vilnius (1704.09.15 – 1711.12.23), Bishop of
Smolensk
Smolensk is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River, west-southwest of Moscow.
First mentioned in 863, it is one of the oldest cities in Russia. It has been a regional capital for most of ...
(Russia) (1711.12.23 – 1716.12.07)
* Juozapas Mykolas Karpis (Józef Michał Karp) (1736.11.19 – death 1739.12.10)
* Antanas TiÅ¡keviÄius (Antoni Dominik Tyszkiewicz) (1740.09.16 – death 1762.01.31), previously Titular Bishop of
Mennith (1739.07.20 – 1740.09.16) & Auxiliary Bishop of
Kijów–Czernihów (Poland) (1739.07.20 – 1740.09.16)
* Dominykas Lopacinskis (Jan Dominik ÅopaciÅ„ski) (1762.04.19 – death 1778.01.11)
*
Jan Stefan Giedroyć (1778.03.30 – retired 1802.05.13), previously Titular Bishop of
Verinopolis
Verinopolis or Berinopolis () was a city and bishopric in ancient Galatia, central Anatolia (modern Turkey).
History
The city is known only from its bishopric and as an administrative unit, from the 7th to the late 13th centuries. Its location ...
(1763.08.22 – 1765.04.22) & Auxiliary Bishop of
Vilnius
Vilnius ( , ) is the capital of and List of cities in Lithuania#Cities, largest city in Lithuania and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, most-populous city in the Baltic states. The city's estimated January 2025 population w ...
(1763.08.22 – 1765.04.22), Bishop of
Inflanty (Latvia) (1765.04.22 – 1778.03.30)
* Juozapas Arnulfas Giedraitis (Józef Arnulf Giedroyć) (1802.05.13 – death 1838.07.17), succeeding as former
Coadjutor Bishop
A coadjutor bishop (or bishop coadjutor) ("co-assister" in Latin) is a bishop in the Latin Catholic, Anglican and (historically) Eastern Orthodox churches whose main role is to assist the diocesan bishop in administering the diocese.
The coa ...
of Samogitia (
790.12.041791.04.11 – 1802.05.13 & Titular Bishop of Orthosia (1791.04.11 – 1802.05.13)
*''
Apostolic Administrator
An apostolic administration in the Catholic Church is administrated by a prelate appointed by the pope to serve as the ordinary for a specific area. Either the area is not yet a diocese (a stable 'pre-diocesan', usually missionary apostolic admi ...
Simonas Mikalojus Giedraitis (Szymon Michal Józef Arnold Giedroyć) (1838.07.17 – 1844.08.07), former Titular Bishop of
Adramyttium
Adramyttium ( ''Adramyttion'', ἈδÏαμÏττειον ''Adramytteion'', or ἈτÏαμÏττιον ''Atramyttion'') was an ancient city and bishopric in Aeolis, in modern-day Turkey. It was originally located at the head of the Edremit Gulf, G ...
(1804.08.20 – 1838.07.17), Auxiliary Bishop of Samogitia (1804.08.20 – 1829.12) and
Coadjutor Bishop
A coadjutor bishop (or bishop coadjutor) ("co-assister" in Latin) is a bishop in the Latin Catholic, Anglican and (historically) Eastern Orthodox churches whose main role is to assist the diocesan bishop in administering the diocese.
The coa ...
of Samogitia (1829.12 – 1838.07.17, not formally succeeding)''
* Jonas Krizostomas Gintila (1844.08.07 – 1849.09.28 ''not possessed'')
*
Motiejus ValanÄius
Motiejus Kazimieras ValanÄius (; , also known by his pen-name ''Joteika'' and ''KsiÄ…dz Maciek''; 1801–1875) was a Catholic Bishop of Samogitia, historian and one of the best known Lithuanian/Samogitian writers of the 19th century.
Biograph ...
(Maciej Kazimierz Wołonczewski) (1849.09.28 – death 1875.05.29)
*''
Apostolic Administrator
An apostolic administration in the Catholic Church is administrated by a prelate appointed by the pope to serve as the ordinary for a specific area. Either the area is not yet a diocese (a stable 'pre-diocesan', usually missionary apostolic admi ...
Aleksandras Kazimieras BeresneviÄius (Aleksander Kazimierz BereÅ›niewicz) (1875.05.30 – 1883.03.15), Titular Bishop of
Maximianopolis (1858.09.27 – 1883.03.15), former Auxiliary Bishop of Samogitia (1858.09.27 – 1875.05.30); later Bishop of
Kujawy–Kalisz (Poland) (1883.03.15 – 1902.06.04)''
*
MeÄislovas Leonardas Paliulionis (MieczysÅ‚aw Leonard Pallulon) (1883.03.15 – death 1908.05.02)
* (1910.04.07 – death 1913.09.20), previously Titular Bishop of
Castoria (1897.07.21 – 1910.04.07) & Auxiliary Bishop of Samogitia (1897.07.21 – 1910.04.07)
* ,
Marian Fathers (M.I.C.) (1914.02.27 – 1926.03.23), emeritate as Titular Archbishop of
Scythopolis (1926.03.23 – 1945.05.30)
;''Metropolitan Archbishops of Kaunas''
*
Archbishop
In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdi ...
Juozapas Skvireckas (1926.04.05 – death 1959.12.03), previously Titular Bishop of
Ceramus
Ceramus or Keramos () is a city on the north coast of the Gulf of Gökova, Ceramic Gulf—named after this city—in ancient Caria, in southwest Asia Minor; its ruins can be found outside the modern village of Milas, Ören, MuÄŸla Province, ...
& Auxiliary Bishop of Kaunas (1919.03.10 – 1926.04.05)
* ''Soviet era semi-vacancy'' (1959–1989) : After
Archbishop of Kaunas Juozapas Skvireckas left Kaunas with retreating German forces in 1944 into
exile
Exile or banishment is primarily penal expulsion from one's native country, and secondarily expatriation or prolonged absence from one's homeland under either the compulsion of circumstance or the rigors of some high purpose. Usually persons ...
, the archdiocese was governed by the following
capitular vicars and
Apostolic administrator
An apostolic administration in the Catholic Church is administrated by a prelate appointed by the pope to serve as the ordinary for a specific area. Either the area is not yet a diocese (a stable 'pre-diocesan', usually missionary apostolic admi ...
s, who experienced continuous restrictions and persecutions of Soviet authorities :
**'' ?
Stanislovas Jokūbauskis (1944–1947)''
**'' ?
Juozapas StankeviÄius (1947–1965)''
**''
Juozapas Matulaitis-Labukas (Apostolic Administrator 1965.11.24 – 1979.05.28)''
**''
Liudvikas Povilonis (Apostolic Administrator 1979.05.28 – 1988.04.27)''
**''
Juozas Preikšas (Apostolic Administrator 1988.04.27 – 1989.03.10)''
*
Cardinal
Cardinal or The Cardinal most commonly refers to
* Cardinalidae, a family of North and South American birds
**''Cardinalis'', genus of three species in the family Cardinalidae
***Northern cardinal, ''Cardinalis cardinalis'', the common cardinal of ...
Vincentas SladkeviÄius,
Congregation of Marian Fathers (M.I.C.) (1989.03.10 – retired 1996.05.04), previously Titular Bishop of
Abora
Abora is the name of an ancestral solar deity of La Palma (Canary Islands) and a traditional god of the Guanches.
Supreme being
Abora (Ibru) is the name of the supreme being of the religion of the Guanches on the island of La Palma. In Guan ...
(1957.11.14 – 1988.06.28), Auxiliary Bishop of
Kaišiadorys
KaiÅ¡iadorys (; Yiddish: ק×ָשעד×ַר) is a city in central Lithuania. It is situated between Vilnius and Kaunas. KaiÅ¡iadorys is one of six Lithuanian diocese centres. It is home to the Transfiguration Cathedral, KaiÅ¡iadorys, Cathedral of ...
(Lithuania) (1957.11.14 – 1982.07.15), Apostolic Administrator of Kaišiadorys (1982.07.15 – 1989.03.10); also President of Episcopal Conference of Lithuania (1988–1993); created
Cardinal-Priest
A cardinal is a senior member of the clergy of the Catholic Church. As titular members of the clergy of the Diocese of Rome, they serve as advisors to the pope, who is the bishop of Rome and the visible head of the worldwide Catholic Church. ...
of
Spirito Santo alla Ferratella (1988.06.28 – death 2000.05.28)
* Archbishop
Sigitas TamkeviÄius,
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus (; abbreviation: S.J. or SJ), also known as the Jesuit Order or the Jesuits ( ; ), is a religious order of clerics regular of pontifical right for men in the Catholic Church headquartered in Rome. It was founded in 1540 ...
(S.J.) (1996.05.04 – retired 2015.06.11), also President of Episcopal Conference of Lithuania (1999.11.03 – 2002.09.20), vice-president of Episcopal Conference of Lithuania (2002.09.20 – 2005.09.20), President of Episcopal Conference of Lithuania (2005.09.20 – 2014.10.28); previously Titular Bishop of
Turuda & Auxiliary Bishop of Kaunas (1991.05.08 – 1996.05.04); as emeritus, became
Cardinal-Priest
A cardinal is a senior member of the clergy of the Catholic Church. As titular members of the clergy of the Diocese of Rome, they serve as advisors to the pope, who is the bishop of Rome and the visible head of the worldwide Catholic Church. ...
of
Sant'Angela Merici 10.05.2019
* Archbishop
Lionginas Virbalas, S.J. (2015 – retired 2019.03.01), also vice-president of Episcopal Conference of Lithuania (2014.10.28 – 2015.06.11); previously Bishop of
Panevėžys
Panevėžys () is the fifth-largest List of cities in Lithuania, city in Lithuania and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, eighth-most-populous city in the Baltic States. it occupies with 89,100 inhabitants. As defined by Eu ...
(2013.06.06 – 2015.06.11)
* Archbishop
Kęstutis Kėvalas (2020.02.19 -), previously Bishop of
Telšiai (-Klaipeda) (2017.09.18 - 2020.02.19)
References
Official site
Source and External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaunas, Archdiocese
1417 establishments in Europe
Religious organizations established in the 1410s
Roman Catholic dioceses in Lithuania
Roman Catholic dioceses established in the 15th century