Founded the city of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro in 1565, its territory remained subject to the spiritual jurisdiction of Bahia Bispo until the Quick "In superemminenti militantis Ecclesiae," Pope Gregory XIII of July 19, 1575, the Prelature was created.

Spun off from the Bishopric of Bahia, the territory of the new Prelature extended from the Captaincy of Porto Seguro, to the River Plate. They administered in the following prelates:

1) Fr. Dr. Bartolomeu Simoes Pereira (1578-1603).
2) Pe. João da Costa (1603-1606), by royal charter of unknown date.
3) Father. Doctor Mateus da Costa Aborim (1606-1629) by royal letter of 24 January 1606 (according to Msgr. Antonio Alves Ferreira dos Santos, was a prelate appointed before the Father. Doctor Mateus da Costa Aborim, which would be the Fr. Dr. Bartholomew lizard, but it did not actually take possession).
interim:
- Max Frei São João Pereira (1629): Monastery of St. Benedict the Abbot for Provision of July 13, 1629;
- Father Pedro Albernaz Man (1630-1631): chosen by the clergy of Rio de Janeiro on January 24, 1630..

4) Fr. Dr. Lawrence Mendonca (1631 to 1643) by royal charter of 22 July 163l.
Interim:
- Father Pedro Albernaz Man (1637 to 1643).. By delegation holder of powers and by royal warrant of 15 July 1641, confirming the interim office (Fr. Pedro Homem Albernaz had been prelate, not acting, but holder by royal letter of 2 September 1639, according to Msgr. Antonio Alves Ferreira dos Santos. However, there is no documentary evidence).

5) Pe. Antônio de Mariz Loureiro Doctor (1643-1657) by royal letter of 8 October 1643.
Interim:
- Father José de Castro (1657-1658) appointed by the Bahia Cabildo;.

6) Fr. Dr. Manuel de Souza and Almada (1658-1673), by charter of December 12, 1658.
Interim:
- Fr. Lic.. Francisco da Silveira Dias (1669-1673).

7) Pe. Doctor Manuel Person Figueiredo (1673), by charter of l5 February 1673. It took over. He fell ill on the journey and died in Olinda, on August 28, 1673.

8) Pe. Francisco da Silveira Dias Doctor (1673-1681), confirmed in 1673 (the latter prelate was born in Rio de Janeiro. He received the degree of Doctor of Theology by apostolic privilege and he fell forward the government of the diocese to second Bishop, who came to take possession of the December 14, 1681).