West Africa 3

This blog covers Ghana, Benin, and Togo.

Ghana

Portuguese explorers came to Ghana in 1471 and discovered gold—Ghana was first known to Europeans as the Gold Coast.  Other European nations also sought to exploit the area’s natural resources and engage in the slave trade.  The British took control in the late 19th Century and Ghana became the first sub-Saharan nation to gain independence in 1957.

Catholic missionaries arrived in 1482, but evangelization was hindered by the slave trade and was not able to begin in earnest until 1880 with the arrival of the African Missions Society.  About 58 percent of Ghana’s 28 million people are non-Catholic Christians.  About 18 percent are Muslim and 13 percent are Catholic.  Ghana has four Catholic ecclesiastic provinces—Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi, and Tamale.  In addition, the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom is immediately subject to the Pope.  It was established as an apostolic prefecture in 2007 before becoming an apostolic vicariate in 2010.  It is located in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

Province of Cape Coast

The province consists of the Regions of Central, Western, and Western North in southwestern Ghana.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Gold Coast was established in 1879 and became the Apostolic Vicariate of Gold Coast in 1901.  It became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cape Coast in 1950.  St. Francis de Sales Cathedral in Cape Coast was completed in 1926.  See archcapegh.org.

Source as noted.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi was established in 1969.
• The Diocese of Wiawso was established in 1999.

Province of Tamale

The province consists of the Regions of Northern, Savannah, North East, Upper East, and Upper West in northern Ghana.  The Diocese of Tamale was established in 1950 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tamale in 1977.  Our Lady of Annunciation Cathedral is in Tamale.

Picture from ghanayello.com.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1926 and became an apostolic vicariate in 1934.  It was suppressed in 1950 before being restored as a diocese in 1956.
• The Diocese of Wa was established in 1959.
• The Diocese of Damongo was established in 1995.
• The Diocese of Yendi was established in 1999.

Province of Accra

The province consists of the Regions of Greater Accra, Eastern, Oti, and Volta in southeastern Ghana.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Accra was established in 1943, became an apostolic vicariate in 1947, a diocese in 1950, and a metropolitan archdiocese in 1992.  Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra was built between 1952 and 1957.  See holyspiritcathedralaccra.org and accracatholic.org.

Pictures from Flickr and Panaramio.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Keta-Akatsi was established as an apostolic vicariate in 1923 and became a diocese in 1950.
• The Diocese of Koforidua was established in 1992.
• The Diocese of Ho was established in 1994.
• The Diocese of Jasikan was established in 1994.

Province of Kumasi

The province consists of the Regions of Kumasi, Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo in southcentral Ghana.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Kumasi was established in 1932, became a diocese in 1950, and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kumasi in 2002.  St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica in Kumasi was designated a minor basilica by Pope John Paul II in 2004.  See kumasicatholic.org.

Both pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Sunyani was established in 1973.
• The Diocese of Konongo-Mampong was established in 1995.
• The Diocese of Obuasi was established in 1995.
• The Diocese of Goaso was established in 1997.
• The Diocese of Techiman was established in 2007.

Benin

Based on the slave trade, Dahomey was a regional power from 1600 until the French took control in the second half of the 19th Century.  Dahomey became independent in 1960 and was renamed Benin in 1975.  Portuguese colonists built a chapel in Benin in 1680, but evangelization was slow until it became a French colony in 1894.  The Church suffered persecution from a Marxist government that ruled Benin from 1975 to 1989.  Benin has over 11 million people—28 percent are Muslim, 26 percent are Catholic, and other Christians account for 23 percent.  There are two Catholic ecclesiastic provinces—Cotonou and Parakou.

Province of Cotonou

The province consists of southern Benin.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Dahomey was established in 1883, became an apostolic vicariate in 1901, and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cotonou in 1955.  The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Misericorde in Cotonou is noted for its alternating burgundy and white striped tile exterior.  The interior has sandstone and cream-colored arches.

Both pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Porto Novo was established as an apostolic vicariate in 1954 and became a diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Abomey was established in 1963.
• The Diocese of Lokossa was established in 1968.
• The Diocese of Dassa-Zoume was established in 1995.

Province of Parakou

The province consists northern Benin.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Parakou was established in 1948, became a diocese in 1964, and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Parakou in 1997.

Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Parakou was built in 1944 in a baroque style by the Society of African Missions.  The cathedral has stained glass windows depicting the lives of Peter and Paul.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Natitingou was established in 1964.
• The Diocese of Kandi was established in 1994.
• The Diocese of Djougou was established in 1995.
• The Diocese of N’Dali was established in 1999.

Togo

Danish slave traders controlled Togo’s coast in the 1700s.  Togo was controlled by Germany from 1884 to 1919 and then by France until Togo gained independence in 1960.  Catholic missionaries from the African Missions Society first came to Togo in 1863.  German missionaries came in the late 19th Century.  After Germany lost Togo as a result of the First World War, many of the German missionaries were expelled and replaced by French missionaries.  Catholics make up about 30 percent of Togo’s 8 million people.  Perhaps 40 percent of the people practice folk religions and the rest are mostly Protestant or Muslim.  There is one ecclesiastic province—Lome.

Province of Lome

The province consists of the nation of Togo.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Togo was established in 1892, became an apostolic vicariate in 1914, and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Lome in 1955.  Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lome was built between 1901 and 1902.

Pictures are from Flickr, Pinterest, and Wikipedia.

The Province has six suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Sokode was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1937 and became a diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Atakpame was established in 1964.
• The Diocese of Dapaong was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1960 and became a diocese in 1965.
• The Diocese of Aneho was established in 1994.
• The Diocese of Kara was established in 1994.
• The Diocese of Kpalime was established in 1994.

Definitions

The Catholic Church is mostly divided into ecclesiastical provinces—a province consists of a metropolitan archdiocese and one or more dioceses.  The province and the archdiocese are led by an archbishop.  Each of the dioceses is called a suffragan diocese and is led by a bishop.  Archbishops have some responsibilities for the province, but all bishops answer directly to the Pope.  There are also jurisdictions below the level of a diocese.  These include apostolic vicariates and apostolic prefectures, both of which are missionary territories.

A basilica is an honorary title bestowed on a church by the Pope because of the church’s antiquity, dignity, historical importance, or significance as a center of worship.  Some cathedrals are also basilicas.  Each basilica has a ceremonial umbrella in the papal colors of white and yellow and a ceremonial bell.  Both of these are symbolic of the Pope’s special relationship to the basilica.

West Africa 2

This blog covers Cote d’Ivoire (the Ivory Coast), Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

Cote d'Ivoire

Cote d’Ivoire became a French protectorate in 1843, a French colony in 1893, and became independent in 1960.  Capuchin missionaries came to the region in 1637, but it was not until 1895 that the Holy Ghost Fathers and the Society for African Missions began evangelization efforts among the native people.  Today, 43 percent of Cote d’Ivoire’s 26 million people are Muslim.  Catholics account for 17 percent and other Christian groups account for 17 percent.  About 19 percent claim no religion.  There are four ecclesiastic provinces—Abidjan, Bouake, Gagnoa, and Korhogo.

Province of Abidjan

The province consists of the southeastern part of the Ivory Coast including the Districts of Abidjan and Lagunes.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Costa D’Avorio was established in 1895 and became an apostolic vicariate in 1911.  This became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Abidjan in 1955.

St. Paul’s Cathedral in Abidjan is a modern structure built between 1980 and 1985.  It is built on a hill overlooking downtown Abidjan and its most notable feature is a large cross suspended by cables to the Cathedral.  The exterior has 14 terracotta ceramic panels depicting the story of Christ.  The interior can hold 5,000 people and has stained glass windows, paintings, and ceramic panels, all featuring Christian images.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Grand-Bassam was established in 1982.
• The Diocese of Yopougon was established in 1982.
• The Diocese of Agboville was established in 2006.

Province of Bouake

The province consists of the northeastern part of the Ivory Coast including the Districts of Comoe, Lacs, Yamoussoukro, Zanzan, and part of Vallee du Bandama.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Bouake was created in 1951 and became a diocese in 1955.  It became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bouake in 1994.  The Cathedral of St. Therese is in Bouake.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Abengourou was created in 1963.
• The Diocese of Bondoukou was created in 1987.
• The Diocese of Yamoussoukro was created in 1992.

Province of Gagnoa

The province consists of the southwestern part of the Ivory Coast including the Districts of Bas-Sassandra, Goh-Djiboua, Montagnes, and Sassandra-Marahoue.  The Diocese of Gagnoa was created in 1956 and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1994.  The Cathedral of St. Anne is in Gognoa.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Daloa began as an apostolic vicariate in 1940 and became a diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Man was established in 1968.
• The Diocese of San Pedro-en-Cote-D’Ivoire was created in 1989.

Province of Korhogo

The province consists of northwest Ivory Coast, including the districts of Denguele, Savanes, Woroba, and part of Vallee du Bandama.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Korhogo was established in 1911, but was suppressed in 1952.  The Diocese of Korhogo was created in 1971 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Korhogo in 1994.  The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Korhogo was built in 1957.

From Panaramio

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Katiola began as an apostolic prefecture in 1911, became an apostolic vicariate in 1952, and a diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Odienne was established in 1994.

Guinea

France made Guinea a protectorate in 1849 and Guinea became part of French West Africa in 1895.  Guinea declared its independence in 1958.

Although Portuguese missionaries visited the area in the 15th Century, evangelization did not begin until 1877 with the arrival of the Holy Ghost Fathers.  Today, 88 percent of Guinea’s 12 million people are Muslim and 8 percent are Christian.  There are 270,000 Catholics and one ecclesiastic province—Conakry.

Province of Conakry

The province consists of the nation of Guinea.  The Apostolic Prefecture of French Guinea was established in 1897 and became an apostolic vicariate in 1920.  This became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Conakry in 1955.  St. Mary’s Cathedral in Conakry was built in the 1930s with an Orthodox design.

The first two pictures are from Pinterest and the last is from Wikipedia.

Pictures with sources.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of N’Zerekore was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1937 and was promoted to a diocese in 1959.
• The Diocese of Kankan was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1949 and was promoted to a diocese in 1993.
• The Diocese of Gueckedou was established in 2023.
• The Diocese of Boke was established in 2024.

Sierra Leone

The Portuguese built a fort in Sierra Leone in the late 15th Century and the Dutch, French, and British soon established bases of their own.  All four nations engaged in the slave trade.  In the 18th Century, the British, who by this time controlled Sierra Leone, relocated a few thousand former slaves to Sierra Leone from London and Canada.  Thus, Freetown was formed.  After the abolition of the slave trade in 1807, thousands more former slaves were brought to Sierra Leone by the British.  Sierra Leone became a British Crown Colony in 1808 and was granted independence in 1961.

Many of the former slaves that were settled in Sierra Leone, especially in Freetown, were Methodists.  Catholicism traces its roots in Sierra Leone to 1510 with the arrival of Portuguese missionaries.  Jesuits came in 1604 and Capuchins in 1617, but both orders had left Sierra Leon by the early 18th Century.  African Missions Society priests came to Sierra Leone in 1858 and were joined by the Holy Ghost Fathers in 1864 to restart missionary efforts.

There is one ecclesiastic province—Freetown.  Muslims make up 79 percent of Sierra Leone’s population of 6 million.  Christians make up 21 percent of the population.  About 300,000 are Catholic.

Province of Freetown

The province consists of the nation of Sierra Leone.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Sierra Leone was established in 1858 and became the Diocese of Freetown and Bo in 1950.  This became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Freetown and Bo in 1970 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Freetown in 2011.  Sacred Heart Cathedral in Freetown was built between 1884 and 1887.

From politicosi.com

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Makeni was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1952 and became a diocese in 1962.
• The Diocese of Kenema was established in 1970.
• The Diocese Bo was established in 2011.

Liberia

Portuguese explorers visited what is now Liberia as early as 1461, but never settled there and Jesuit and Capuchin missionaries visited in the 17th Century, but had little success at evangelization.  Beginning in 1822, free-born Blacks and freed slaves were encouraged by various American groups to resettle in Liberia.  Liberia became an independent republic in 1847—the first in Africa.  Many of these settlers were Protestant and Protestant missionaries had been active since the early 19th Century among the native Liberians.  Some of the settlers were Catholics from Maryland and in 1841, two U.S. priests and a catechist visited Cape Palmas and celebrated the first Mass in Liberia.  Holy Ghost Fathers came in 1843, but many of the missionaries died of fever, and evangelization work lapsed for several decades.  Missionaries returned in 1884, but were again faced with health issues and opposition from the Protestant establishment.  The Society of African Missions took charge of evangelization in 1906 and by 1910, there were almost 3,000 Catholics.

About 86 percent of Liberia’s 4.8 million people are Christian and 12 percent are Muslim.  Of the Christians, 330,000 are Catholic.  There is one ecclesiastic province—Monrovia.

Province of Monrovia

The province consists of the nation of Liberia.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Liberia was established in 1903 and became an apostolic vicariate in 1934.  It became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Monrovia in 1981.  Sacred Heart Cathedral is in Monrovia.

The top picture is from a blog and the bottom picture is from Pinterest.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Cape Palmas began as an apostolic prefecture in 1950, became an apostolic vicariate in 1962, and was promoted to a diocese in 1981.
• The Diocese of Gbarnga was established in 1986.

Definitions

The Catholic Church is mostly divided into ecclesiastical provinces—a province consists of a metropolitan archdiocese and one or more dioceses.  The province and the archdiocese are led by an archbishop.  Each of the dioceses is called a suffragan diocese and is led by a bishop.  Archbishops have some responsibilities for the province, but all bishops answer directly to the Pope.  There are also jurisdictions below the level of a diocese.  These include apostolic vicariates and apostolic prefectures, both of which are missionary territories.

Nigeria

Portuguese explorers introduced Catholicism to Nigeria in the 15th Century, but serious evangelization did not begin until the 1840s.  Nigeria became a British crown colony in 1861 and gained its independence in 1960.

Slightly more than half of Nigeria’s 203 million people are Muslim.  Catholics make up 11 percent and other Christians 36 percent.  There are nine ecclesiastical provinces:  Abuja, Benin City, Calabar, Ibadan, Jos, Kaduna, Lagos, Onitsha, and Owerri.

In addition, the Maronite Diocese of Our Lady of the Annunciation of Ibadan serves Maronite-rite Catholics in Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, and Togo.  It was established as an apostolic exarchate (a missionary diocese) in 2014 and became a diocese in 2018.  It reports directly to the Maronite Patriarch.

Province of Lagos

The province consists of the States of Lagos and Ogun in southwestern Nigeria.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Dahomey was established in 1860 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Lagos in 1950.  The Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lagos was built between 1934 and 1939 in a French Gothic style.  See hcclng.org.

The first and last picture are from the Cathedral's website, the second picture is from Pinterest, and the third is from Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Ijebu-Ode was established in 1969.
• The Diocese of Abeokuta was established in 1997.

Province of Onitsha

The province consists of the States of Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu in Southern Nigeria.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Lower Niger was created in 1889 and became an apostolic vicariate in 1920.  It became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Onitsha in 1950.

The Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity in Onitsha was built between 1930 and 1935, but was badly damaged during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970).  The Cathedral was restored and later enlarged.  Pope Benedict XVI designated the Cathedral as a minor basilica in 2007.  The Cathedral Basilica contains the tomb of Blessed Michael Cyprian Iwene Tansi, a Nigerian priest.

From the Diocesan website.

The Province has eight suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Enugu was created in 1962.
• The Diocese of Abakaliki was created in 1973.
• The Diocese of Awka was created in 1977.
• The Diocese of Nsukka was created in 1990.
• The Diocese of Nnewi was created in 2001.
• The Diocese of Awgu was created in 2005.
• The Diocese of Ekwulobia was created in 2020.
• The Diocese of Aguleri was created in 2023.

Province of Kaduna

The province consists of the States of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Sokota, and Zamfara in northwestern Nigeria.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Eastern Nigeria was created in 1911 and became the Diocese of Kaduna in 1953.  It was promoted to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kaduna in 1959.  St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Kaduna was built in 1934 to replace a smaller church.  See archkd.org/about/st-josephs-cathedral.

From jubilaeummisericordiae.va

The Province has six suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Sokoto began as an apostolic prefecture in 1953 and became a diocese in 1964.
• The Diocese of Minna was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1964 and became a diocese in 1973.
• The Diocese of Kafanchan was created in 1995.
• The Diocese of Kano started as a Mission sui juris in 1991, became an apostolic vicariate in 1995 and a diocese in 1999.
• The Diocese of Zaria created in 2000.
• The Diocese of Kontagora was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1995, became an apostolic vicariate in 2002, and a diocese in 2020.
• The Diocese of Katsina was created in 2023.

Province of Abuja

The province consists of the Federal Capital Territory, and the States of Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa in Central Nigeria.  The Mission sui juris of Abuja was established in 1981 and became the Diocese of Abuja in 1989.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Abuja was established in 1994 with the creation of the new Province.  The current Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in Abuja was dedicated in 2012, but construction is underway on the Cathedral of St. John Paul II.  See abujacatholicarchdiocese.org.

From jubilaeummisericordiae.va

The Province has seven suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Makurdi began as an apostolic prefecture in 1934 and became a diocese in 1959.
• The Diocese of Lokoja started as an apostolic prefecture in 1955 became a diocese in 1964.
• The Diocese of Idah began as an apostolic prefecture in 1968 and was promoted to a diocese in 1977.
• The Diocese of Otukpo was created in 1995.
• The Diocese of Lafia was created in 2000.
• The Diocese of Gboko was created in 2012.
• The Diocese of Katsina-Ala was created in 2012.

Province of Benin City

The province consists of the States of Delta and Edo in Southwestern Nigeria.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Upper Niger was created in 1884 and became the Apostolic Vicariate of Western Nigeria in 1918.  The Diocese of Benin City was created in 1950 and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1994.  Holy Cross Cathedral is in Benin City.  See catholicarchdioceseofbenin.com.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Warri was established in 1964.
• The Diocese of Issele-Uku was established in 1973.
• The Diocese of Auchi was established in 2002.
• The Diocese of Uromi was established in 2005.
• The Diocese of Bomadi started as a Mission sui juris in 1991, became an apostolic vicariate in 1996 and a diocese in 2017.

Province of Calabar

The province consists of the States of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers in Southern Nigeria.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Calabar was established in 1934 and became an apostolic vicariate in 1947, and a diocese in 1950.  It became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Calabar in 1994.  Sacred Heart Cathedral is in Calabar.

From Bantuphotos.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Ogoja was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1938 and became a diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Port Harcourt was created in 1961.
• The Diocese of Ikot Ekpene was created in 1963.
• The Diocese of Uyo was created in 1989.

Province of Ibadan

The province consists of the States of Ekiti, Kwara, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo in Southwestern Nigeria.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Ibadan was created in 1952 and became a diocese in 1958.  It was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1994.  The Cathedral in Ibadan is dedicated to St. Mary.  See ibadanarchdiocese.org.

From Facebook.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Ondo began as an apostolic vicariate in 1943 and became a diocese in 1950.
• The Diocese of Oyo was created as an apostolic prefecture in 1949 and became a diocese in 1963.
• The Diocese of Ilorin started as an apostolic prefecture in 1960 and became a diocese in 1969.
• The Diocese of Ekiti was created in 1972.
• The Diocese of Osogbo was created in 1995.

Province of Jos

The province consists of the States of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba, and Yobe in northeastern Nigeria.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Jos was established in 1934 and became the Diocese of Jos in 1953.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Jos was established in 1994.  The Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima is in Jos.

From Revolvy.

The Province has six suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Yola was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1950 and became a diocese in 1962. 
• The Diocese of Maiduguri was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1953 and became a diocese in 1966. 
• The Diocese of Jalingo was established in 1995.
• The Diocese of Bauchi was established as an apostolic vicariate in 1996 and became a diocese in 2003.
• The Diocese of Shendam was established in 2007.
• The Diocese of Pankshin was established in 2014.
• The Diocese of Wukari was established in 2022.

Province of Owerri

The province consists of the States of Abia and Imo in Southern Nigeria.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Owerri was established in 1948 and became a diocese in 1950.  It was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1994.  Assumption Cathedral in Owerri was built between 1954 and 1980 in a modern Renaissance style.  The dome rises 120 feet above the floor and is 101 feet in diameter.  The Cathedral can hold 3,000 people.  See owarch.org.

From the Archdiocesan website.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Umuahia was established in 1958.
• The Diocese of Orlu was established in 1980.
• The Diocese of Okigwe was established in 1981.
• The Diocese of Ahiara was established in 1987.
• The Diocese of Aba was established in 1990.

Definitions

The Catholic Church is mostly divided into ecclesiastical provinces—a province consists of a metropolitan archdiocese and one or more dioceses.  The province and the archdiocese are led by an archbishop.  Each of the dioceses is called a suffragan diocese and is led by a bishop.  Archbishops have some responsibilities for the province, but all bishops answer directly to the Pope.  There are also jurisdictions below the level of a diocese.  These include apostolic vicariates and apostolic prefectures.  Both are missionary territories below the level of a diocese.  There is also a jurisdiction called a mission sui juris.  A mission sui juris may be part of a province and is often administered by a bishop of another diocese.

Most Catholics in the world belong to the Latin or Roman rite.  Rite refers to liturgical practices, ecclesiastical discipline, and spiritual heritage.  Many Catholics belong to one of two dozen Eastern rite churches.  Eastern rite churches trace their heritage to Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

A basilica is an honorary title bestowed on a church by the Pope because of the church’s antiquity, dignity, historical importance, or significance as a center of worship.  Some cathedrals are also basilicas.  Each basilica has a ceremonial umbrella in the papal colors of white and yellow and a ceremonial bell.  Both of these are symbolic of the Pope’s special relationship to the basilica.