Roman Catholic Diocese of Roermond

The diocese of Roermond (Latin: Dioecesis Ruremundensis ) is one of the seven Roman Catholic dioceses of the Dutch church province and has its headquarters in Roermond. - In the Diocese of Roermond are about 838 000 registered Catholics ( 74.6 % of the total population) of which an average of 37 800 ( or 3 % of the total population) attend church on Sunday (as of December 31, 2007 )

History

The first diocese of Roermond was formed on May 12, 1559 from areas of the Archbishopric of Cologne and of Liège; it was dissolved by the French occupiers, who sought a larger and clearer structure on 26 November 1801. The largest part of the diocese was thereby added to the bishopric of Liege. For a smaller part of the new Diocese of Aachen and the Apostolic Vicariate Grave- Nijmegen was founded.

The present (second) diocese was erected in 1840 as the Apostolic Vicariate of Limburg back from areas of the Archdiocese of Cologne and of Liège. Its borders coincide with the political boundaries of the province of Limburg. On 4 March 1853 the Vicariate was changed to the present diocese of Roermond.

The Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Roermond is since 1661 the St. Christoffel Church ( St. Christopher's Cathedral ); the anniversary of their consecration is celebrated on 3 September.