The Roman Catholic Diocese of Daejeon (Korean: 대전교구) is a territorial ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Latin Church of the Roman Catholic Church in South Korea. It is a suffragan diocese within the ecclesiastical province of the Archdiocese of Seoul.
History
- Apostolic Prefecture: The jurisdiction was first erected as the Apostolic Prefecture of Daejeon on 13 July 1958, carved out of the Archdiocese of Seoul.
- Diocesan elevation: It was elevated to the status of a diocese on 12 March 1962 by Pope John XXIII, becoming the Diocese of Daejeon.
Territory
The diocese encompasses the metropolitan city of Daejeon, the special autonomous city of Sejong, and the provinces of North Chungcheong and South Chungcheong. Its jurisdiction includes both urban and rural parishes.
Cathedral
The episcopal seat is the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (대전성심대성당) located in Daejeon.
Ordinaries (selected)
- Fr. Thomas Choi Yong‑shin – Apostolic Prefect (1958–1962)
- Bishop Paul Kim Hee‑jeong – First diocesan bishop (1962–1972)
- Bishop Eugene Kim Hwan‑su – (1973–1997)
- Bishop Joseph Kyeong Kap‑chan – (1999–2005)
- Bishop Augustine Kim Jong‑soo, O.S.B. – appointed 2022 and serving as the ordinary (as of the latest available data).
Statistics (latest publicly available figures)
- Catholic faithful: Serves a Catholic population numbering in the hundreds of thousands within its territory.
- Parishes and missions: Operates over one hundred parishes, along with numerous missions, chapels, and affiliated religious institutions.
- Clergy: Includes diocesan priests, religious order priests, and deacons who administer sacraments and pastoral care.
Activities and Institutions
The diocese runs various pastoral, educational, and charitable initiatives, including Catholic schools, vocational training centers, and relief programs for the poor and marginalized. It also participates in the Korean Catholic Bishops’ Conference and contributes to national and regional ecumenical efforts.
Affiliation
- Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Seoul
- Rite: Latin (Roman) Rite
All information presented is derived from publicly released ecclesiastical records and reliable Catholic reference works.
