Alagoas, The Diocese of.—A South American diocese, in eastern Brazil, dependent on Bahia. By a decree of Leo XIII, Postremis hisce temporibus, 2 July, 1900, it was separated from the Diocese of Olinda. It comprises the State of Alagoas, bounded by Pernambuco on the north and north-west, the Atlantic on the south-east, and Sergipe on the south-west. Area, 22,583 square miles. Population (1890), 648,009. Monsignor Castilho de Brandao, the first bishop, who resides at Maceio, the capital, a town of 12,000 inhabitants, was consecrated at Belem de Para, 7 Sept., 1894, and transferred to this see, 5 June, 1901.
BATTANDIER, Ann. Pontif. Cath., 1906.
John J. A'Becket.