The Diocese of Garzón (Latin: Dioecesis Garzonensis) is a particular church of the Catholic Church located in the Department of Huila, Colombia. It is a suffragan diocese within the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Ibagué. The see city of the diocese is Garzón, Huila, where its cathedral, the Cathedral of San Miguel, is located.
History
The diocese has its roots in the earlier Diocese of Neiva, which was erected on May 20, 1900, by Pope Leo XIII through the papal bull Apostolici Muneris. It was initially a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Popayán.
On February 25, 1964, Pope Paul VI decreed the division of the Diocese of Neiva. The part containing the city of Neiva was renamed the Diocese of Garzón, while the other part became the Diocese of Neiva, which was later elevated to the Archdiocese of Neiva. This seems to be a common source of confusion in historical records, as it was the Diocese of Garzón that was created from the Diocese of Neiva, and then later, the original Neiva territory was re-established. More accurately:
- May 20, 1900: The Diocese of Garzón was originally erected as the Diocese of Garzón from territory of the Diocese of Tolima. It was a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Popayán.
- July 24, 1924: The diocese was renamed the Diocese of Garzón and Neiva, reflecting its expanded territory.
- October 26, 1962: The diocese was detached from the Archdiocese of Popayán and became a suffragan of the newly created Archdiocese of Ibagué.
- February 25, 1964: The diocese was split. The territory corresponding to the city of Neiva was separated to form the new Diocese of Neiva. The remaining territory retained the name Diocese of Garzón. This act solidified its current structure and name.
Geography and Administration
The Diocese of Garzón encompasses a significant portion of the Department of Huila, covering various municipalities. It is responsible for the spiritual care of Catholics within its boundaries, providing sacraments, religious education, and social services through its parishes, clergy, and religious institutes.
Ordinaries
Throughout its history, the diocese has been led by several bishops:
- Bishop Esteban Rojas Tovar (1900–1922) – First Bishop of Garzón
- Bishop Vicente Roig y Villalba, C.M.F. (1922–1924) – As Bishop of Garzón
- Bishop Vicente Roig y Villalba, C.M.F. (1924–1927) – As Bishop of Garzón and Neiva
- Bishop José Antonio Lezcano y Ortega (1930–1933) – As Bishop of Garzón and Neiva
- Archbishop Gerardo Martínez Madrigal (1934–1949) – As Bishop of Garzón and Neiva
- Bishop Arturo Salazar Mejía, C.M.F. (1950–1964) – As Bishop of Garzón and Neiva
- Bishop Arturo Salazar Mejía, C.M.F. (1964–1977) – As Bishop of Garzón
- Bishop Gabriel Ángel Villa Vahos (2014–present)
The term "suffragan" in the context of Garzón indicates its hierarchical relationship within the Catholic Church, specifically that it is subject to the authority of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ibagué, who oversees the ecclesiastical province. While the suffragan bishop has full ordinary authority within his own diocese, he is also part of a larger provincial structure.