Garzon (suffragan)

Garzon is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Popayán in the Republic of Colombia. Lying eat of Popayán, the diocese comprises the provinces of Neiva and Sur. It is about 140 miles in length and between 40 and 100 miles wide, extending from 1.5&$176; to 4&$176; north latitude and between the 75&$176; and 77&$176; west longitude. The episcopal see (unlike most, not eponymous) is at Neiva. The 11,000 inhabitants of Garzon are mainly of mixed origin and almost entirely Catholic. The town is situated 150 miles southwest of Bogotá at a height of 1,500 feet above sea-level. It is on the Magdalena River, which is navigable to this point.

The cathedral of Garzon is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady.

History

Originally, the diocese was formed as part of the Bishopric of Tolima, which lay in the midst of the Cordilleras. As the territory was so extensive, the population very numerous and the difficulties of visitation too great, the Bishop petitioned the Holy See to divide the diocese. This was done by a decree of Leo XIII on June 20, 1900. The northern half was erected into a new Bishopric of Ibagué, suffragan of Bogotá, while the southern half formed the new diocese of Garzon.

Born on January 15, 1859 in Hato in the diocese of Popayán, Estéban Rojas became the first Bishop of Garzon. He had previously served as Bishop of Tolima (since 1895).

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