- Source: Chaldean Catholic Archeparchy of Amida
The Archeparchy of Amida (or Diyarbakır) is the Chaldaean rite Catholic diocese of Turkey, with its archiepiscopal see in Diyarbakır, Turkey.
History
It was first established in 1531 as the Chaldean Diocese of Amid(a). In June 1915 it gained territory from the suppressed Chaldean Catholic Diocese of Seert (now a titular see).
After the Assyrian genocide it was left vacant and lapsed after the death of its archbishop in 1923. Nevertheless, the size of the diocese increased on 3 July 1957 from the suppression of the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of Gazireh.
On 3 January 1966, it was promoted to an Archeparchy (Eastern Catholic archdiocese) and a new archbishop was ordained to fill the role. Since that point, it has been the sole Chaldean diocese in Turkey, and in effect resides over all of Turkeys Chaldeans.
Its episcopal see was historically located at St. Mary's Cathedral in Diyarbekir, and it still is in modern day. Today, the archeparch (or archbishop) resides in Beyoğlu, Istanbul. Members of the Chaldean community use the Holy Trinity Greek Catholic Cathedral as their church; it was formerly used by members of the Greek Catholic Apostolic Exarchate of Istanbul.
Demographics
The most recent data indicates that the Chaldean population is 7,640, up from 6,000 in 1980.
Statistics
1980 6,000
1990 1,400
1999 5,000
2001 5,100
2002 5,100
2003 4,800
2004 5,925
2006 4,226
2009 6,219
2013 7,640
Episcopal incumbents
(incomplete)
Eparchs
...
Archeparchs
Gabriel Batta (1966.01.03 – 1977.03.07)
Paul Karatas (1977.03.07 – 2005.01.16)
apostolic administrator François Yakan (2007 - 2018.12.22)
Ramzi Garmou (since 2018.12.23)
The Archeparch (archbishop) is immediately subject to the Patriarch of Babylon, who heads the Chaldean Catholic Church.
See also
Catholic Church in Turkey
References
External links
GCatholic.org, with incumbent biography links
Catholic Hierarchy.org entry