Zulia, Diocese of (ZULIENSUS), comprises the State of Zulia in the Republic of Venezuela. The Diocese of Zulia was erected by Leo XIII on July 28, 1897, its territory being detached from the See of Merida. Francesco Marvez, the first bishop, was elected, May 17, 1897, and consecrated, January 16, 1898. At his death the see remained vacant from December 17, 1904, to August 16, 1910, being administered during this time by the capitular vicar Felipe S. Jimenez. Arturo Celestino Alvarez, consecrated November 6, 1910, is the present bishop. Zulia is suffragan of Santiago de Venezuela, the episcopal residence being at Maracaibo. Its most notable buildings are: the cathedral, the churches of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Chiquinquira, the poor-house, and the insane asylum. The diocese possesses a preparatory seminary, the Colegio Don Bosco directed by the Salesian Fathers for boys, and an academy directed by the Sisters of Charity of St. Anne for girls, besides other Catholic schools. Among its charitable houses may be mentioned a lazaretto, two hospitals, a poor-house, an orphan asylum for boys and girls, an insane asylum, a house of refuge for poor girls, a school for beginners and one for poor children, all of which are under the care of the Sisters of Charity. Several Catholic periodicals are published in the diocese: diocese: “Boletin Eclesiastico”, the official organ of the diocese; “El Avisador”, daily; “La Propaganda Catolica”, fortnightly; “El Adalid”, monthly.
FELIPE S. JIMENEZ