Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

This blog will discuss the Catholic Church in Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Mozambique

Arab traders frequently traded in the ports of Mozambique between 1000 and 1500.  The Portuguese took over the coastal trade in the decades after 1500 and established colonies.  Mozambique gained independence in 1975.

About a third of Mozambique’s 31 million people are non-Catholic Christians.  Catholics make up 28 percent of the population, Muslims 19 percent, and those with no religion 14 percent.  Portuguese Jesuits and Dominicans introduced the Faith in the 16th Century, but relations between the Church and the Portuguese government waxed and waned over the years which impacted evangelization efforts.  There are three Catholic ecclesiastic provinces—Beira, Maputo, and Nampula.  

Province of Maputo

The province consists of the civil provinces of Maputo, Maputo City, Gaza, and Inhambane, in southern Mozambique.  The Apostolic Administration of Mozambique was created in 1612 and became a territorial prelature in 1783.  This became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1940 and it acquired its current name in 1976.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Maputo was built between 1936 and 1944.  It was designed by a Portuguese engineer inspired by the churches of Europe.  Because of financial difficulties, the cathedral was built with concrete and cement.

The first picture is from Alamy, the next two are from local sources, and the last two are from Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Inhambane was established in 1962.
• The Diocese of Xai-Xai was established in 1970.

Province of Beira

The province consists of the civil provinces of Sofala, Manica, Tete, and part of Zambezia in Central Mozambique.  The Diocese of Beira was established in 1940 and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1984.

Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in Beira was built between 1900 and 1925.  The Gothic Revival building was heavily damage by a cyclone in 2019. 

Pictures are from Pinterest and Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Quelimane was established in 1954.
• The Diocese of Tete was established in 1962.
• The Diocese of Chimoio was established in 1990.

Province of Nampula

The province consists of the civil provinces of Nampula, Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and part of Zambezia in northern Mozambique.  The Diocese of Nampula was created in 1940 and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1984.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima in Nampula was built in a traditional style between 1942 and 1956.  It has two towers.

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

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Pemba was established in 1957.
• The Diocese of Lichinga was established in 1963.
• The Diocese of Nacala was established in 1991.
• The Diocese of Gurue was established in 1993.

Zambia

In the 1880s, the British began securing mineral and other economic concessions from various local leaders and the territory that is now Zambia eventually came under the control of the British South Africa Company and was incorporated as the protectorate of Northern Rhodesia in 1911. Administrative control was taken over by the British Government in 1924 and advances in mining spurred development and immigration over the next two decades.  Zambia gained independence in 1964.

Portuguese Dominicans came to what is now Zambia as early as the 16th Century, but serious evangelization did not begin until the late 1800s with the Jesuits in South, and the White Fathers in the North and East.  Italian Franciscans set up missions in the West in 1931.  Today, almost all of Zambia’s 19 million people are Christian.  Catholics make about a quarter of the total.  There are two Catholic ecclesiastic provinces—Kasama and Lusaka.  

Province of Lusaka

The province consists of the southwestern two-thirds of Zambia.  The Archdiocese of Lusaka was established as the Apostolic Prefecture of Broken Hill in 1927, became the Apostolic Vicariate of Lusaka in 1950, and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1959. 

Child Jesus Cathedral in Lusaka was built in the 1990s and officially dedicated in 2006.

The first picture is from Wikipedia and the other two are from the archdiocesan website.

The Province has seven suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Livingstone was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1936, became an apostolic vicariate in 1950, and a diocese in 1959.
• The Diocese of Chipata was established as the Apostolic Prefecture of Fort Jameson in 1937, became an apostolic vicariate in 1953, ad diocese in 1959, and acquired its current name in 1968.
• The Diocese of Ndola was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1938, an apostolic vicariate in 1949, and became a diocese in 1959.
• The Diocese of Monze was established in 1962.
• The Diocese of Solwezi was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1959 and became a diocese in 1976.
• The Diocese of Mongu was established in 1997.
• The Diocese of Kabwe was established in 2011.

Province of Kasama

The province consists of the northeastern one-third of Zambia.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kasama began as an apostolic vicariate in 1913, became a diocese in 1959, and a metropolitan archdiocese in 1967.

St. John the Apostle Cathedral in Kasama was built in the 1960s.

The first picture is from the archdiocesan website and the second from Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Mansa was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1952 and became a diocese in 1961.  It acquired its current name in 1967.
• The Diocese of Mpika was established as a Mission sui juris in 1933, became an apostolic vicariate in 1937, and a diocese in 1959.

Zimbabwe

The Kingdom of Zimbabwe existed during the 13th to the 15th Centuries, but the British South Africa Company took control of the area in the 1880s.  The southern portion of the territory became the British colony of Southern Rhodesia in 1923.  A white government came into power in 1961 and declared independence from the British in 1965.  The British did not recognize this government, but it was not until 1979 that free elections were held.  Robert Mugabe ruled the country from 1980 until 2017.

Portuguese missionaries came to what is now Zimbabwe in 1560 but were ultimately not successful with evangelization.  Successful Catholic missionary activity began with the arrival of the Jesuits in the late 19th Century.  Today, most of the 15 million people are Christian, although 11 percent claim no religion.  Catholics make up over 10 percent of the population.  There are two Catholic ecclesiastic provinces—Bulawayo and Harare.  

Province of Harare

The province consists of the northeastern half of Zimbabwe.  The Archdiocese of Harare was established the Mission sui juris of Zambese in 1879.  This became an apostolic prefecture in 1915, an apostolic vicariate in 1931, and a metropolitan archdiocese in 1955.  The name was changed from Salisbury to Harare in 1982.

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Harare was built between 1924 and 1925 to replace a Jesuit chapel.  Jesuits served the Gothic Revival Cathedral until 2008.

The first picture is from Wikipedia and the second is from Pinterest.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Mutare was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1953 and became a diocese in 1957.
• The Diocese of Chinhoyi was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1973 and became a diocese in 1985.
• The Diocese of Gokwe was established in 1991.

Province of Bulawayo

The province consists of the southwestern half of Zimbabwe.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bulawayo began as a mission sui juris in 1931.  It became an apostolic prefecture in 1932, an apostolic vicariate in 1937, and a diocese in 1955.  It was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1994.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Bulawayo was built between 1903 and 1904 to replace a small chapel built by the Jesuits.  The Gothic cathedral was designated a minor basilica by Pope Francis in 2013.

The first picture is from the archdiocesan website, the second is from Wikipedia, and the last from a local website.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Gweru was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1946, became an apostolic vicariate in 1950, and became a diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Hwange was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1953 and became a diocese in 1963.
• The Diocese of Masvingo was established in 1999.

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, apostolic prefectures, apostolic administrations, territorial prelatures, and missions sui juris.

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. 

Madagascar and Malawi

This blog will discuss the Catholic Church in Madagascar and Malawi.

Madagascar

Madagascar was one of the last places on earth to be settled by humans.  Indonesians came there between 350 and 550 and they were followed by Arabs, Persians, and Africans.  It later became a pirate stronghold and slave trading center.  The Portuguese claimed Madagascar from 1500 until the 17th Century at which time it became an independent kingdom.  The French and British vied for the island for most of the 19th Century until France won control in 1883 and made Madagascar a colony in 1896.  Madagascar gained its independence in 1960.

A majority of Madagascar’s 28 million people practice traditional religions.  Slightly more than 40 percent are Christians, with Protestants being more numerous than Catholics.  About 7 percent are Muslim.  Portuguese missionaries had little success with evangelization in the 16th and 17th Centuries.  Protestant missionaries came from England in 1818 and were especially successful in evangelizing the Merina ethnic group who tend to dominate government, commerce, and professional services in Madagascar.  French Jesuits came in 1845 and found fertile ground with the Betsileo ethnic group.  Catholics in Madagascar are generally among the underprivileged.  There are five Catholic ecclesiastic provinces—Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Toamasina, and Toliara.  

Province of Antananarivo

The province consists of the civil province of Antananarivo and the southwestern part of Mahajanga province in northern Madagascar.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Madagascar was established in 1841 and became an apostolic vicariate in 1848.  This became the Apostolic Vicariate of Central Madagascar in 1898.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tananarive was created in 1955 and acquired its current name in 1989.

The Gothic Revival Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Antananarivo was designed by a Jesuit priest and built between 1873 and 1890.

Pictures are from Wikipedia, Dreamstime, Flickr, and TripAdvisor.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Antsirabe was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1913, became an apostolic vicariate in 1918, and a diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Miarinarivo was established as a Mission sui juris in 1933, became an apostolic vicariate in 1939, and a diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Tsiroanomandidy was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1949 and became a diocese in 1958.
• The Diocese of Maintirano was established in 2017.

Province of Antsiranana

The province consists of the civil province of Antsiranana and the northeastern part of Mahajanga province in northern Madagascar.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Madagascar was created in 1896.  This became a diocese in 1955 and a metropolitan archdiocese in 1958.  It acquired its current name in 1989.

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is in Antsiranana.

Pictures are from Alamy and blogspot.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Ambanja was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1848, became an apostolic vicariate in 1951, and a diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Mahajanga was established as an apostolic vicariate in 1923 and became a diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Port-Berge was established in 1993.

Province of Fianarantsoa

The province consists of the civil province of Fianarantsoa in southeastern Madagascar.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Fainarantsoa was created in 1913, became a diocese in 1955, and a metropolitan archdiocese in 1958.

The Cathedral of the Holy Name of Jesus is in Fianarantsoa.  It was built between 1871 and 1890 in a Romanesque style.

Pictures are from Wikipedia, Desolve, and Flickr.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Farafangana was established in 1957.
• The Diocese of Ihosy was established in 1967.
• The Diocese of Mananjary was established in 1968.
• The Diocese of Ambositra was established in 1999.

Province of Toliara  

The province consists of the civil province of Toliara in southwestern Madagascar.  The Diocese of Tulear was created in 1957 and this became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Toliara in 2003.  The Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul is in Toliara.

This picture may be of the Cathedral.

Picture is from Alamy.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Tolagnaro was established as the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Madagascar in 1896.  This became a diocese in 1955 and acquired its current name in 1989.
• The Diocese of Morondava was established as an apostolic vicariate in 1938 and became a diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Morombe was established in 1960.

Province of Toamasina

The province consists of the civil province of Toamasina in northern Madagascar.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Toamasina began as an apostolic prefecture in 1935, became an apostolic vicariate in 1939, a diocese in 1955, before becoming a metropolitan archdiocese in 2010.

The Cathedral of St. Joseph in Toamasina was completed in 1932 to replace a church destroyed by a cyclone.  The white neo-Romamesque church holds 800 people and has two square bell towers.

The picture is from the archdiocesan website.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Ambatondrazaka was established in 1959.
• The Diocese of Fenoarivo Atsinanana was established in 2000.
• The Diocese of Moramanga was established in 2006.

Malawi

Malawi was an independent kingdom from the 15th Century to the 18th Century.  British trading and missionary activities increased in the late 1800s and Malawi became the British Central African Protectorate in 1889.  Malawi became independent in 1964.

Catholic missionaries led by the White Fathers came to Malawi starting in 1889 and the Montfort Fathers arrived in 1901.  Today, Catholics make up anywhere from 17 to 33 percent of the population of 20.3 million, depending on the source.  As a whole, Malawi is a Protestant nation, with 50 to 65 percent belonging to one of several Protestant denominations.  Muslims make up about 12 percent of the population.  There are two Catholic ecclesiastic provinces—Blantyre and Lilongwe. 

Province of Blantyre

The province consists of the southern third of Malawi.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Blantyre began as an apostolic prefecture in 1903, became an apostolic vicariate in 1908, and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1959.  Our Lady of Wisdom Cathedral (Limbe Cathedral) is in Blantyre.

Both pictures are from local websites.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Zomba was established as an apostolic vicariate in 1952 and became a diocese in 1959.
• The Diocese of Chikwawa was established in 1965.
• The Diocese of Mangochi was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1969 and became a diocese in 1973.

Province of Lilongwe

The province consists of the northern two-thirds of Malawi.  The Archdiocese of Lilongwe was established as an apostolic vicariate in 1951, became a diocese in 1959 and a metropolitan archdiocese in 2011.  Our Lady Queen of Africa Cathedral (Maula Cathedral) is in Lilongwe.

The picture is from Pinterest.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Dedza was established as an apostolic vicariate in 1956 and became a diocese in 1959.
• The Diocese of Mzuzu was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1947 and became a diocese in 1961.
• The Diocese of Karonga was established in 2010.

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 missionary jurisdictions below the level of a diocese, which include apostolic vicariates, apostolic prefectures, and missions sui juris. 

Italy-6

I have previously blogged about Italy as follows:

• 11-6-2019—Italy 1
• 11-13-2019—Italy 2
• 10-1-2020—Italy 3
• 10-8-2020—Italy 4
• 11-1-2021—Italy 5

This blog covers seven ecclesiastic provinces in the administrative regions of 
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Valle d’Aosta, Veneto, and parts of Liguria, Lombardy, and Piedmont in northern Italy.  The ecclesiastic provinces are Gorizia, Milan, Turin, Trent, Udine, Venice, and Vercelli.

Province of the Patriarchal See of Venice

The Patriarchal See of Venice consists of the Administrative Region of Veneto and the southwestern portion of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.  A diocese was created in 774 and that became the Patriarchal See of Venice in 1451.  Pope Nicholas V created the Patriarchal See, which is one of only four in the Western Catholic Church, the others being Lisbon, the East Indies, and Jerusalem.

The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of St. Mark in Venice began construction in the 11th Century initially as a chapel for the Doge, the ruler of Venice.  The brick building is of Italo-Byzantine design, although the façade is mostly Gothic.  Pope Pius VII declared the Cathedral to be a minor basilica in 1806 and it did not become the Cathedral of the Patriarch until 1807.  The Cathedral Basilica contains the earthly remains of St. Mark the Evangelist, which were taken from Alexandria, Egypt, by the Venetians in 828.
St. Mark’s has one large dome and four smaller domes.  The 325-foot campanile is a reproduction of the 15th Century structure that collapsed in 1902.  The façade features the Horses of St. Mark, which presumably date to the Roman Empire and were taken by the Venetians from Constantinople in 1204 as a result of the Fourth Crusade.  The original is now in the church’s museum—the horses displayed above the façade are bronze replicas.  The Crusaders also brought back another Roman sculpture referred to as the Four Tetrarchs, which stands above one of the arches of the façade.

The interior has a marble floor and is filled with gold glass mosaics some dating to the 11th Century.  The main altar, the Pala d’Oro, is of Byzantine design and incorporates 1,300 pearls, 300 sapphires, 300 emeralds, and 400 garnets.  The altar area has bronze statues of the Evangelists and the Four Doctors.

All the pictures are from Wikipedia, except the last two which are from Flickr and Pinterest.

The Co-Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter of Castello in Venice served as the cathedral for the Patriarch of Venice from 1451 to 1807.  A church has been on this site since the 7th Century and after an 1120 fire a new building was completed.  Once it became the cathedral in 1451, major renovations were undertaken and continued through the 16th Century.  The Basilica has a façade designed by Andrea Palladio and features a dome and bell tower.  The Renaissance bell tower is made from Istrian stone.  The 17th Century main altar is made of inlaid polychrome marble.  The Basilica has several works of art including the 13th Century marble Throne of St. Peter, as well as several paintings.  The Basilica fell into disrepair after Napoleon designated St. Mark’s to be the Cathedral of the Patriarch and it was further damaged during the First World War.  It has since been restored. 

The first picture is from Flickr, the next two are from Wikipedia, and the last from Alchetron.

The Province has nine suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Belluno-Feltre was established as the Diocese of Belluno in the 2nd Century and acquired its current name in 1986.
• The Diocese of Vicenza was established in the 2nd Century.
• The Diocese of Padova (Padua) was established in the 3rd Century.
• The Diocese of Verona was established in the 3rd Century.
• The Diocese of Concordia-Prodenone was established as the Diocese of Concordia in 380 and acquired its current name in 1971.
• The Diocese of Treviso was established in the 4th Century.
• The Diocese of Vittorio-Veneto was established as the Diocese of Ceneda in the 6th Century and acquired its current name in 1939.
• The Diocese of Chioggia was established in the 7th Century.
• The Diocese of Adria-Rovigo was established as the Diocese of Adria in 640 and acquired its current name in 1986.

Province of Milan

The province consists of most of the Administrative Region of Lombardy.  The Diocese of Milan was established in the 1st Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 374.  About 5 million Catholics in the area near Milan, including part of Switzerland, use the Ambrosian liturgical rite.  This rite dates at least to the 8th Century and is named for St. Ambrose, a Fourth Century bishop of Milan.

The Cathedral Basilica of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Milan was built between 1386 and 1965.  It is the second largest church in Europe with an interior space of more than 125,000 square feet.  It is mainly Gothic in design and is built with brick faced with white marble.  The decorative façade was completed in 1812 upon orders from Napoleon.  The Cathedral’s roof is supported by 52 pillars, each 148 feet high. 

The Cathedral contains the tombs of St. Charles Borromeo and Pope Martin V and 3,400 statues, including one of St. Bartholomew flayed alive.  The Cathedral also has a nail used in the Crucifixion.  The Cathedral was designated a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI in 1964.

The first five pictures are from Wikipedia, the next is from Panaramio, and the last from Pinterest.

The Province has nine suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Brescia was established in the 1st Century.
• The Diocese of Pavia was established in the 1st Century.
• The Diocese of Bergamo was established in the 4th Century.
• The Diocese of Como was established in 4th Century.
• The Diocese of Cremona was established in the 4th Century.
• The Diocese of Lodi was established in the 4th Century.
• The Diocese of Mantova was established in 804.
• The Diocese of Vigevano was established in 1530.
• The Diocese of Crema was established in 1579.

Province of Turin

The province consists of the Administrative Region of Valle d’Aosta, most of Piedmont, and part of Liguria.  The Diocese of Turin was established in the 4th Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1515.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin was built between 1491 and 1498, and the brick bell tower was built in 1470.  The Chapel of the Holy Shroud, designed by Guarino Guarini in a Baroque style, was added in the late 17th Century, to house the Shroud of Turin.  This chapel is one of a dozen.  The dome was also added in the 17th Century.  The Cathedral is also the burial site of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925), who was beatified in 1990 and has been called the “saint for youth of the Third Millennium.”

All pictures are from Wikipedia

The Province has 10 suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Asti was established in the 3rd Century.
• The Diocese of Acqui was established in 4th Century.
• The Diocese of Alba was established in the 4th Century, was suppressed in 1803, and restored in 1817.
• The Diocese of Aosta was established in the 4th Century, was suppressed in 1803, and restored in 1817.
• The Diocese of Ivrea was established in the 5th Century.
• The Diocese of Mondovi was established in 1388.
• The Diocese of Saluzzo was established in 1511.
• The Diocese of Pinerolo was established in 1748, was suppressed in 1803, and restored in 1817.
• The Diocese of Susa was established as a territorial abbacy in 1200, became a diocese in 1772, was suppressed in 1803, and restored in 1817.
• The Diocese of Cuneo-Fossano was established in 2023 as a merger of two dioceses.

Province of Gorizia

The province consists of the southeastern portion of the Administrative Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gorizia was established in 1751, was suppressed in 1788, restored as a diocese in 1797, and restored as a metropolitan archdiocese in 1830.

The Cathedral of Saints Hilarius and Tatianus in Gorizia dates at least to the 13th Century.  It was enlarged by 1525 and redesigned in a Gothic fashion.  Two hundred years later, the Cathedral was refurbished in a Baroque style.  The Neo-classical façade was added in the 19th Century.  The Cathedral was heavily damaged during the First World War but has been restored.  The Cathedral has many artworks.  The 16th Century St. Acathius’ Chapel is particularly noteworthy with depictions of angels as musicians.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has one suffragan diocese.

• The Diocese of Trieste was established in 542.

Province of Udine

The province consists of the central and northern portions of the Administrative Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Udine was established in 1751, was demoted to a diocese in 1818, before being restored to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1847.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Udine was completed in the 14th Century, but received a major restoration in the 18th Century.  The Cathedral has a Romanesque-Gothic exterior with a Baroque interior.  The two main doors were created by German artists in the 14th Century and feature scenes from the life of Jesus and the saints.  There are many works of art inside.  The bell tower has a chapel with 14th Century frescoes.

The first four pictures are from Wikipedia, the fifth is from Pinterest, and the sixth from a local website.

The Province has no suffragan dioceses.

Province of Vercelli

The province consists of the northeastern portion of the Administrative Region of Piedmont.  The Diocese of Vercelli was established in the 3rd Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1817.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Eusebius in Vercelli is dedicated to its first bishop.  Construction of the current building began in the late 16th Century and continued into the 18th Century.  The campanile was built in the 12th Century and the dome was added in the late 19th Century.  Pope Gregory XVI declared it a minor basilica in 1834.

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

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Novara was established in the 4th Century.
• The Diocese of Alessandria was established in 1175, was suppressed in 1803, and restored in 1817.
• The Diocese of Casale Monferrato was established in 1474.
• The Diocese of Biella was established in 1772, was suppressed in 1803, and restored in 1817.

Province of Trent

The province consists of the Administrative Region of Trentino-Alto Adige.  The Diocese of Trent was created in the 2nd Century, became an archdiocese in 1929 and a metropolitan archdiocese in 1964.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Vigilius in Trent is named for the first Bishop of Trent.  The current Romanesque Cathedral was built between 1212 and 1743 on the site of a 4th Century church.  The Gothic south façade was added in the early 14th Century along with the rose window depicting the Wheel of Fortune with Christ at its center.  The transept is decorated with 14th Century frescoes.

The Cathedral hosted two significant events in the 16th Century:  the coronation of Maximilian I as Holy Roman Emperor in 1508 and the Council of Trent between 1545 and 1563.  The decrees of the Council were proclaimed before a statue of Christ that is now in the Chapel of the Crucifix.  Pope Pius X declared the Cathedral to be a minor basilica in 1913.

The last picture is from Pinterest and the rest from Wikipedia.

The Province has one suffragan diocese.

• The Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone was established in the 6th Century and acquired its current name in 1964.

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. 

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.