The Catholic Church in Latvia () is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome.
In 2021, there were approximately 370,000 Catholics in the country – 19% of the total population.US State Dept 2022 reportCatholics and Culture website, retrieved 2023-08-08 Catholics in Latvia are mainly found in the easternmost region of Latgale and most are ethnic Latgalians.
History The Catholic Church has been present in the area that now constitutes the Republic of Latvia since Saint Canute IV in the mid-11th century brought Christianity to Courland and LivoniaSt. Canute IV Catholic Encyclopedia, retrieved: 2007-04-28 and the first Christian church was built 1048 in Courland.Baznīcas vēsture 11. gadsimts catholic.lv, retrieved: 2007-04-28 Bishop Albert of Riga and the Livonian Brothers of the Sword were the first to initiate organized Christianization of all the indigenous people in the early 13th century - at the time tribal cultures like the Curonians, the Latgallians, the Livs, the Selonians and the Semigallians.
Organization The highest office in the Catholic Church of Latvia was held from 1991 to 2010 by Cardinal Archbishop Jānis Pujats. On 19 June 2010, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the retirement of Archbishop Pujats and appointed Zbigņevs Stankevičs as his successor.RINUNCIA DELL’ARCIVESCOVO METROPOLITA DI RIGA (LETTONIA) E NOMINA DEL SUCCESSORE , Vatican Information Service, 19 June 2010
The Catholic Church of Latvia is divided into one archdiocese and three dioceses: Archdiocese of Rīga Diocese of Jelgava Diocese of Liepāja Diocese of Rēzekne-Aglona
See also Religion in Latvia
References and notes
External links
Catholic Hierarchy