Roman Catholic Diocese of Trebinje–Mrkan


The Roman Catholic Diocese of Trebinje–Mrkan is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in Herzegovina. It is the oldest and smallest Catholic diocese of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

History

The diocese was formed sometime before the year 1022. An exact date is not known, but church officials decided to celebrate the diocese's millennium in 1984, estimating its foundation at 984. The diocese has its episcopal seat in the city of Trebinje. However, from 1361 to 1391 it was relocated to the island of Mrkan, thus taking on the present double name. Pope Clement VI in 1335 addresses to Stefan Uroš IV Dušan and request him to stop the persecution and that to the bishop of Kotor which is responsible for Roman Catholic Diocese of Trebinje return monasteries, churches, islands and villages, which some kings of Raška before him overtook.
According to the census of Archbishop Marko Andrijašević from 1733 in the area of Diocese lived 3.573 Catholic, 148 Orthodox and 232 Muslim families.
In 1890, the diocese was united with the much larger Diocese of Mostar-Duvno. Since then it has been administered by Mostar-Duvno's bishop. However, unlike the rest of the Mostar-Duvno territory, Franciscan priests are not appointed to parishes in Trebinje–Mrkan, as the Franciscan custody does not extend into this region.
On May 1, 1984 the Church of the Birth of Mary in Trebinje was made a cathedral by decree. This came to coincide with a symposium held that year under the leadership of Bishop Pavao Žanić to study the historical and pastoral significance of the diocese. One of the most important parishes in the bishopric is the Shrine of the Queen of Peace in Hrasno. Every year thousands gather to celebrate the parish's feast day.

Ordinaries

Bishops of Trebinje–Mrkan

Apostolic delegates

Apostolic Administrators