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Suffragan diocese Cartagena, Spain

Diocese of Cartagena

Carthaginen(sis) in Hispania

Latin Church

Latin-rite diocese covering the Region of Murcia, Spain, with Christian roots in the early 4th century and restored on 31 July 1250 by the bull Spiritus exultante. Although titled Cartagena, its see is the Cathedral of Santa Maria in Murcia, and it is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Granada. Bishop Jose Manuel Lorca Planes has led the diocese since 2009.

On the map

Esri
The address the register holds for Cathedral of Santa Maria, Murcia, in Cartagena, Spain.

Every see on one map: browse the dioceses. Churches with recorded hours: find Mass times.

Established
1250
Catholics
1,040,770
Priests
415
Territory
11,320 km²

Parishes and churches

259 listed churches in our records. Open a parish for Mass times, confession, directions and sources where recorded.

This is our recorded coverage, not an official diocesan parish count. Confirm service times with the parish before travelling.

The bishop

Bishop
Jose Manuel Lorca Planes
Born
18 October 1949
Birthplace
Espinardo

Explore the ministry of the bishop.

The cathedral

Cathedral of Santa Maria, Murcia stands in Cartagena, the church that holds the cathedra from which this see takes its name.

On what a cathedral is, see the cathedral; every see church on earth is gathered at the cathedrals.

This see in the wire

Filed by the see itself

Published on the see's own news feed. A diocese reports on the whole Church, so these are often about somewhere else.

  • University of Murcia to host seminar on faith and art

    The University of Murcia will host the third seminar on faith and art from October 1 to November 26. Organized in collaboration with the Diocese of Cartagena, the program examines the Christian message within the cathedral complex of Murcia. The 30-hour seminar uses an interdisciplinary approach and offers a CRAU credit. Pedro García Casas, the episcopal delegate for university ministry, said the program continues a dialogue between the Church and the public university to use heritage knowledge for the benefit of society. Interested participants must register through the University of Murcia website by the September 25 deadline.

    Sep 22, 2026 · Education

  • Diocese of Cartagena holds quinario and romería in honor of Divino Niño de Burgos

    The Diocese of Cartagena will hold a quinario and romería to honor the Divino Niño de Burgos at the Ermita de Burgos in Nonduermas, Murcia. The quinario begins on the feast of san Mateo. During the week, the ermita will host exposition of the Santísimo at 18:00, followed by misa at 19:00. Local groups, including the comisión de fiestas, members of the centro de mayores, and the club de atletismo, will participate in the daily services. On Sunday, September 27, the Eucaristía is scheduled for 12:00 in the outdoor area of the temple. At 18:00, a romería will carry the images of the Niño de Burgos and the Purísima Concepción along the paths of the huerta. Participants may wear the traje huertano if they wish.

    Sep 18, 2026 · Catholic Life

  • Bishop José Manuel Lorca Planes inaugurates new course at diocesan theological study centers

    Bishop José Manuel Lorca Planes presided over an Eucharist and academic ceremony to inaugurate the new academic year at the diocesan theological study centers. The opening ceremony included the Instituto Teológico San Fulgencio, the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Religiosas San Fulgencio, and the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Religiosas San Dámaso at its distance learning site in Murcia. During his homily, Bishop Lorca stated that the purpose of training for priests, religious, and laypeople is to prepare them for the mission of announcing the Gospel. He noted that the Church requires well-trained evangelizers who are also deeply devoted to Christ. He encouraged students to ensure their studies lead to a deeper prayer life and a personal encounter with Christ rather than just gaining knowledge in theology, philosophy, or scripture.

    Sep 18, 2026 · Education

  • Parroquia Santo Domingo de Guzmán celebrates novenary for Divino Niño Jesús

    Parroquia Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Mula is holding a novena to honor the Divino Niño Jesús to mark the anniversary of the Child Jesus of Balate apparition. During the festivities, the parish holds the Rosary every evening at 19:30, and various priests preside over the scheduled masses. Following the 20:00 Eucharist, the parish holds exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The church remains open to the public each morning from 9:00 to 12:00. The schedule includes a children's procession starting at 18:30 this Saturday from the Real Monasterio de la Encarnación to the parish. On the night of September 20, the parish stays open all night for pilgrims traveling from across Murcia, beginning with the Misa del Peregrino at 00:00. On Monday morning, masses are held every hour from 6:00 to 10:00, followed by an 11:30 mass presided over by Juan Tudela, the vicar general of the Diocese of Cartagena. During this service, the Cofradía del Divino Niño Jesús de Belén de Mula will present an honorary distinction to a local resident. Additional services include a 13:00 Eucharist and an 18:00 mass, after which a procession with the image will begin toward the Real Monasterio.

    Sep 18, 2026 · Catholic Life

  • Authors present spiritual books at ExLibris festival

    Sep 17, 2026 · Culture

35 stories in the wire either name this see or come from its own feed. Read the wire.