Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger

Senegal

Portuguese explorers came to Senegal in the 15^th Century, but it was not until the 17^th Century that Senegal was colonized by France.  Senegal became part of French West Africa in 1895 and the capital of French West Africa—a colony now divided into 8 independent nations—was in Saint-Louis in Senegal.  The Capital moved to Dakar in 1902.  Senegal, then combined with Gambia into a nation called Senegambia, gained independence in 1960.  The Gambia split from Senegal in 1989.  Catholicism came with the Portuguese and the French and converts were made as early as the late 1400s.  Missionaries continued to visit over the next 300 years.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Senegal was created in 1763 in Saint-Louis and was assigned to the Holy Ghost Fathers, who were later assisted by the St. Joseph Sisters of Cluny.  Over 96 percent of Senegal’s 15 million people are Muslim.  Catholics number over 600,000 or 4 percent of the total.

Province of Dakar

The province consists of the nation of Senegal.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Senegambia was created in 1863 and was renamed Dakar in 1936.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Dakar was created in 1955.  Our Lady of Victories Cathedral was consecrated in 1936.  Much of the building material is African—sandstone from Sudan, marble from Tunisia, and wood from Gabon.

 

The top picture is from pinterest and the bottom picture is from Wikipedia.

The Province has six suffragan dioceses.

• The Apostolic Prefecture of Ziguinchor was established in 1939, became an apostolic vicariate in 1952, before becoming the Diocese of Ziguinchor in 1955.
• The Apostolic Prefecture of Kaolack was established in 1957 and was promoted to a Diocese in 1965.
• The Apostolic Prefecture of Senegal was created in 1763 and became the Diocese of Saint-Louis du Senegal in 1966.
• The Diocese of Thies was established in 1969.
• Tambacounda was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1970 before being promoted to a Diocese in 1989.
• The Diocese of Kolda was established in 1999. 

Burkina Faso

France made a colony of what is now Burkina Faso in 1897.  Missionaries of Africa (formerly the White Fathers) established missions in Koupela in 1900 and in Ouagadougou in 1901.  The nation gained its independence from France in 1960.  Muslims make up over 60 percent of the population of Burkina Faso.  Catholics account for about 4.5 million people or 23 percent of the total population of 20 million.  Catholics are divided among three ecclesiastical provinces—Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, and Koupela.

Province of Ouagadougou

The province consists of central Burkina Faso.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Ouagadougou was established in 1921 and was promoted to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Ouagadougou in 1955.  The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Ouagadougou was constructed between 1934 and 1936 with red mud bricks in a Romanesque style.  The Cathedral has an outdoor altar dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Apostolic Vicariate of Koudougou was established in 1954 and was promoted to a diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Ouahigouya started as an apostolic prefecture in 1947 before becoming a diocese in 1958.
• The Diocese of Manga was established in 1997. 

Province of Bobo-Dioulasso

The province consists of western Burkina Faso.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Bobo-Dioulasso was created in 1927, became an apostolic vicariate in 1937, and a diocese in 1955.  It was promoted to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bobo-Dioulasso in 2000.  Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral in Bobo-Dioulasso was built between 1957 and 1961.  See cathedralebobo.bf.

From inspirock

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Nouna began as an apostolic prefecture in 1947 before becoming an apostolic vicariate in 1951.  It became a Diocese in 1955.
• The Diocese of Diebougou was established in 1968.
• The Diocese of Banfora was established in 1998.
• The Diocese of Dedougou was established in 2000.
• The Diocese of Gaoua was established in 2011. 

Province of Koupela

The province consists of eastern Burkina Faso.  The Diocese of Koupela was founded in 1956 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Koupela in 2000.  Our Lady of Graces Cathedral is in Koupela.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Fada N’Gourma was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1959 before being promoted to a Diocese in 1964.
• The Diocese of Kaya was established in 1969.
• The Diocese of Dori was established in 2004.
• The Diocese of Tenkodogo was established in 2012. 

Mali

Morocco governed what is now Mali for 300 years until the French gained control in the 19^th Century.  Mali became part of the Apostolic Prefecture of Sahara and Sudan in 1868, which became the Apostolic Vicariate of Sahara and Sudan in 1891.  Two groups of White Fathers (now Missionaries of Africa) were martyred by their local guides trying to reach Mali by crossing the Sahara Desert.  A third group entered Mali by way of what is now Senegal and established missions in Segou and Timbuctoo in 1895, but evangelization was hampered by many factors.  The French referred to their colony as French Sudan until granting greater political autonomy in 1958 leading to independence in 1960.  Senegal and Gambia, which were part of the colony, broke from Mali shortly after independence.  Muslims make up 95 percent of Mali’s population.  Catholics account for 280,000 or about 2 percent of the total population of 18 million.

Province of Bamako

The province consists of the nation of Mali.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Bamako was established in 1921 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bamako in 1955.  The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Bamako was constructed between 1927 and 1936 and replaced a mission church.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Segou was established in 1962.
• The Apostolic Prefecture of Kayes was established in 1947 and was promoted to the Diocese of Kays in 1963.
• The Apostolic Prefecture of Sikasso was established in 1947 and was promoted to the Diocese of Sikasso in 1963.
• The Apostolic Prefecture of Gao was established in 1942 and became the Diocese of Mopti in 1964.
• The Mission sui juris of San was established in 1962 and became the Diocese of San in 1964. 

Niger

Christianity came to Niger with French and German explorers in the late 1700s and Catholics established a mission in Niamey in 1831.  Niger became part of French West Africa in 1904 and gained its independence from France in 1960.  Almost all of the nation’s 19 million people are Muslim.  There are about 20,000 Catholics in Niger and a somewhat larger number of Protestants.

Province of Niamey

The province consists of the nation of Niger.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Niamey was established in 1942. It became a diocese in 1961 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Niamey in 2007.  Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral in Niamey was built as a parish church in 1931 before its dedication to Our Lady in 1948.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has one suffragan diocese.

• The Diocese of Maradi was created in 2001.

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.  The difference is that a vicar apostolic holds the rank of a bishop and the prefect apostolic is a priest, but not a bishop.  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. 

Southern Africa

This blog covers five countries in Southern Africa—South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, and Namibia.

South Africa

Portuguese explorers came to South Africa in 1488, but it was the Dutch who settled in the Cape area and established Cape Town in 1652.  The British came at the beginning of the 19^th Century and fought the Dutch (known as the Boers) and the Native people (including the Zulus) for the next century for control of the whole territory.  South Africa became an independent nation in steps between 1910 and 1961.

The Portuguese brought the Catholic Faith to the region, but after the Dutch gained control in 1651, the Catholic Faith was banned.  The British allowed the Church to return in the early 19^th Century and the first vicar apostolic was appointed in 1818.  There are 3.8 million Catholics in South Africa or 7 percent of the total population.  There are five ecclesiastical provinces:  Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Johannesburg.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Ingwavuma was established in 1990 and is immediately subject to the Vatican and thus is not part of any province. There is also a separate diocese for the armed services.

Province of Cape Town

The province consists of southwestern South Africa, including the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces and the southern portion of the Northern Cape Province.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Cape of Good Hope was established in 1818.  It became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cape Town in 1951 with the creation of the new Province.  

The Neo-Gothic Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Mary of the Flight into Egypt opened in 1851.  Additional detail can be found at stmaryscathedral.org.za and catholic-ct.co.za.

Both are from Wikipedia.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses. 

• The Diocese of Port Elizabeth began as an apostolic prefecture in 1847, became an apostolic vicariate in 1939, and a diocese in 1951.
• The Diocese of Oudtshoorn began as an apostolic prefecture in 1874, became an apostolic vicariate in 1948 and a diocese in 1951.
• The Diocese of Aliwal was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1923, became an apostolic vicariate in 1936, and a diocese in 1951.
• The Diocese of Queenstown began as a mission sui juris in 1929 before becoming an apostolic prefecture in 1938, an apostolic vicariate in 1948, and a diocese in 1951.
• The Diocese of De Aar started as an apostolic prefecture in 1953 and became a diocese in 1967. 

Province of Durban

The province consists of east central South Africa, including the KwaZulu-Natal Province.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Natal was created in 1850 and this became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Durban in 1951 with the creation of the new Province.

Construction of Emmanuel Cathedral in Durban was completed in 1903.  The Gothic Cathedral is made from local clay brick.  It has a single octagonal tower.  The Stations of the Cross were made in France and were installed in 1904.  Additional information can be found at emmanuelcathedral.org.za and www.catholic-dbn.org.za.

From Flickr.

The Province has six suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Eshowe began as an apostolic prefecture in 1921, became an apostolic vicariate in 1923, and a diocese in 1951.
• The Diocese of Mariannhill started as an apostolic vicariate in 1921 and became a diocese in 1951.
• The Diocese of Mthatha began as an apostolic prefecture in 1930, became an apostolic vicariate in 1937, and a diocese in 1951.
• The Diocese of Kokstad began as an apostolic prefecture in 1935, became an apostolic vicariate in 1939, and a diocese in 1951.
• The Diocese of Dundee started as an apostolic prefecture in 1958 and became a diocese in 1982.
• The Diocese of Umzimkulu was created in 1954.

Province of Pretoria

The province consists of far northeastern South Africa (including Limpopo Province and portions of Gauteng and North West Provinces) and Botswana.  The Apostolic Vicariate of Pretoria was established in 1948 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Pretoria in 1951 with the creation of the new Province.

The main portion of Sacred Heart Cathedral was completed in 1933.  The Cathedral is of French Gothic design with a Latin cross floor plan.  The building is made of pre-cast concrete and has two towers.  The Cathedral has beautiful stained glass windows and bas relief Stations of the Cross.  See cshpretoria.co.za  and archdioceseofpretoria.org.za.

Both are from the Diocesan website.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Polokwane, South Africa, was created as an apostolic prefecture in 1910, became territorial abbacy in 1939, and a diocese in 1988.
• The Diocese of Tzaneen, South Africa, was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1962 and became a diocese in 1972.
• The Diocese of Rustenburg, South Africa, was created as an apostolic prefecture in 1971 and became a diocese in 1987.
• The Diocese of Gaborone, Botswana, started as an apostolic prefecture in 1959 before becoming a diocese in 1966.  Great Britain annexed Botswana in 1885 to connect the Cape Colony (South Africa) with its colonies north of Botswana.  Botswana became independent in 1966.  Protestant missionaries came to Botswana in the two decades before British colonization and tribal chiefs essentially made Christianity the state religion early in the 20^th Century.  The first successful Catholic mission opened near Gaborone in 1928.  Botswana has 110,000 Catholics or 5 percent of the total population.
• The Diocese of Francistown, Botswana, was created as an apostolic vicariate in 1998 and became a diocese in 2017.

Province of Bloemfontein

The province consists of central South Africa including Free State Province and portions of Northern Cape Province.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bloemfontein was created in 1951 with the creation of the new Province.  The Metropolitan Cathedral is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  There is a Facebook page.

I could not find an non-copyright picture.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Keimoes-Upington began as an apostolic prefecture in 1885 and became an apostolic vicariate in 1898.  The diocese was created in 1951.
• The Diocese of Kimberly started as an apostolic vicariate in 1886 and became a diocese in 1951.
• The Diocese of Kroonstad began as an apostolic prefecture in 1923, became an apostolic vicariate in 1935, and a diocese in 1951.
• The Diocese of Bethlehem was created as an apostolic vicariate in 1948 and became a diocese in 1951.

Province of Johannesburg

The province consists of northeastern South Africa (including Mpumalanga Province and portions of Gauteng and North West Provinces) and Swaziland.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Transvaal was established in 1886 and became the Apostolic Vicariate of Transvaal in 1904.  The name was changed to Johannesburg in 1948 and it became a Diocese in 1951.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Johannesburg was established in 2007 with the creation of the new Province.

The Cathedral of Christ the King opened in 1960 and is made of reinforced concrete with a red granite finish and with brick.  The modern-style Cathedral has large stained glass windows.  Pope John Paul II visited the Cathedral in 1995.  See the following websites for more information:  catholic-johannesburg.org.za and catholicjhb.org.za/about/the-cathedral.

Both are from Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Klerksdorp, South Africa, was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1965 and became a diocese in 1978.
• The Diocese of Witbank, South Africa, was created in 1923 as an apostolic prefecture and became an apostolic vicariate in 1948.  It became a diocese in 1951.
• The Diocese of Manzini, Swaziland, was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1923, became an apostolic vicariate in 1939, and became a diocese in 1951.  The British ruled Swaziland from 1903 until independence in 1968.  Successful Catholic evangelization began when Servite missionaries arrived in 1913.  Swaziland, also known as Eswatini, has 59,000 Catholics or 5 percent of the total population.

Lesotho

After several years of war, the British took control of Lesotho in 1869.  Lesotho gained independence in 1966.  The Oblates of Mary Immaculate established the first Catholic mission in Lesotho in 1862.  The Church built an extensive network of schools—75 percent of all schools in Lesotho in 2000 were run by the Catholic Church.  Lesotho has 1.4 million Catholics or 55 percent of the total population.  There is one province:  Maseru.

Province of Maseru

The province consists of Lesotho.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Basutoland was created in 1894 and became the Apostolic Vicariate of Basutoland in 1909.  It became the Diocese of Maseru in 1951 and the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Maseru in 1961 with the creation of the new Province.  The Cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady of Victories.  The Cathedral has a Facebook page.

From tripadvisor.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Leribe was created in 1952.
• The Diocese of Qacha’s Nek was created in 1961.
• The Diocese of Mohale’s Hoek was created in 1977. 

Namibia

Germany gained control of Namibia in 1884, but lost it to South Africa in 1920.  It became independent in 1990.  Almost 90 percent of the people are Christian, with about half being Lutheran.  Namibia has 439,000 Catholics (18 percent of the total population).  There is one province:  Windhoek.

Province of Windhoek

The province consists of Namibia.  The Apostolic Prefecture of Lower Cimbebasia was established in 1892 and this became the Apostolic Vicariate of Windhoek in 1926.  The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Windhoek was established in 1994 with the creation of the new Province.

The Metropolitan Cathedral is dedicated to St. Mary.  The Cathedral was built between 1906 and 1908 in a Romanesque Revival architectural style.  The façade is flanked by two towers rising 40 feet above street level.  The towers are topped with white crosses.  See rcchurch.na.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan territories.

• The Diocese of Keetmanshoop started as an apostolic prefecture in 1909, became a vicariate apostolic in 1930, before becoming a diocese in 1994.
• The Apostolic Vicariate of Rundu was created 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 archdioceses that are not part of a province that are directly under the jurisdiction of 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.  The difference is that a vicar apostolic holds the rank of a bishop and the prefect apostolic is a priest, but not a bishop.  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.  A territorial abbacy is a defined territory surrounding an abbey or monastery that is not part of a diocese.  The abbot serves as the bishop for all Catholics and parishes within the territory. 

Argentina—2

This blog will discuss six ecclesiastical provinces in the north and west of Argentina.

Province of Cordoba

The province consists of the civil Province of Cordoba.  The Diocese of Cordoba was established in 1570 and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1934.  Construction of Cordoba’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption began in 1582, but the building collapsed in 1677.  Work on a new Spanish Baroque cathedral took place over much of the 18^th Century.  The interior features a sterling silver altar and gold and silver votive offerings, as well as murals and frescoes.

First picture is from pinterest and the others are from Wikipedia.

The Province has five suffragan jurisdictions.

• The Diocese of Rio Cuarto was established in 1934 and was renamed Villa de la Conception del Rio Cuarto in 1995.
• The Diocese of Villa Maria was established in 1957.
• The Diocese of San Francisco was established in 1961.
• The Diocese of Cruz del Eje was established in 1963.
• The Territorial Prelature of Dean Funes was established in 1980. 

Province of Salta

The province consists of the civil Provinces of Salta, Catamarca, and Jujuy.  The Diocese of Salta was created in 1806 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Salta in 1934.  The Baroque Cathedral Basilica of Our Lord and the Virgin of Milagro in Salta replaced an earlier cathedral destroyed by an earthquake.  The church was built between 1858 and 1882.  Pope Pius XI named the cathedral a minor basilica in 1938. 

The first picture is from pinterest and the others are from Wikipedia.

The Province has five suffragan jurisdictions.

• The Diocese of Catamarca was created in 1910.
• The Diocese of Jujuy was created in 1934.
• The Diocese of Oran was created in 1961.
• The Territorial Prelature of Cafayete was created in 1969.
• The Territorial Prelature of Humahuaca was created in 1969.

Province of San Juan de Cuyo

The province consists of the civil Provinces of San Juan, La Rioja, and San Luis.  The Apostolic Vicariate of San Juan de Cuyo was established in 1826 and became a diocese in 1834.  It was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1934.

St. John the Baptist Cathedral in San Juan de Cuyo replaced an 18th Century building destroyed by a 1944 earthquake.  The current Cathedral opened in 1979.  The front doors of the Cathedral are bronze and feature bas-reliefs of saints.  The interior is supported by twelve columns.  The 150-foot red brick bell tower has a clock and a German carillon.

Both pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of La Rioja was created in 1934.
• The Diocese of San Luis was created in 1934.

Province of Tucuman

The province consists of the civil Provinces of Tucuman and Santiago del Estero.  The Diocese of Tucuman was created in 1897 and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1957.  Our Lady of the Incarnation Cathedral in San Miguel de Tucuman has its origins in the 17^th Century, but most of the current building dates to the middle 1800s.

All are from Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

• The Archdiocese of Santiago del Estero was created in 1570, suppressed in 1697, and was restored in 1907.  It became an archdiocese in 2024.
• The Diocese of Anatuya was created in 1961.
• The Diocese of Conception was created in 1963. 

Province of Corrientes

The province consists of the civil Provinces of Corrientes and Misiones.  The Diocese of Corrientes was created in 1910 and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1961.  Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in Corrientes was built in the mid-1800s.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Posadas was established in 1957.
• The Diocese of Goya was established in 1961.
• The Diocese of Santo Tome was created in 1979.
• The Diocese of Puerto Iguazu was created in 1986.
• The Diocese of Obera was created in 2009.

Province of Mendoza

The province consists of the civil Provinces of Mendoza and Neuquen.  The Diocese of Mendoza was created in 1934 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mendoza in 1961.  Our Lady of Loreto Cathedral in Mendoza was built in 1934 and is known for the beauty of its stained glass windows.  As it only seats 500, plans are underway for a larger cathedral. 

From Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Neuquen was established in 1961.
• The Diocese of San Rafael was established in 1961. 

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 archdioceses that are not part of a province that are directly under the jurisdiction of the Pope.  There are also jurisdictions below the level of a diocese.  These include apostolic vicariates and territorial prelatures.  Both are missionary territories below the level of a diocese.  The difference is that a vicar apostolic holds the rank of a bishop while a territorial prelature is led by a priest below the level of a bishop. 

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 (although some basilicas do not display them).  Both of these are symbolic of the Pope’s special relationship to the basilica.

Argentina—1

Magellan claimed Argentina for Spain in 1519 and colonization started in the 1530s.  Missionaries also began evangelizing the native peoples during the 16^th Century.  Argentina broke away from Spain in 1810 and declared independence in 1816.  Today, there are about 40 million Catholics in Argentina, or over 90 percent of the total population.

Argentina has 13 ecclesiastical provinces.  In addition, the Archdiocese of Mercedes-Lujan is immediately subject to the Pope.  It was established as a diocese in 1934 and became an archdiocese in 1997.  

Argentina also has five eastern-rite jurisdictions.  The Maronite Diocese of San Charbel en Buenos Aires and the Ukrainian Diocese of Santa Maria del Patrocinio en Buenos Aires are under the jurisdiction of the Roman-rite Archbishop of Buenos Aires.  The Armenian Diocese of San Gregorio de Narak en Buenos Aires, established in 1989, is under the jurisdiction of the Armenian patriarch. The Greek Melkite Apostolic Exarchate of Argentina, established in 2002, is immediately subject to the Pope.  The Ordinariate to the Faithful of Oriental Rites was established in 1959 and is led by the Archbishop of Buenos Aires.  There is also a military services diocese.

This blog will cover seven Roman-rite ecclesiastical provinces in the east and south of Argentina.

Province of Buenos Aires

The province consists of the City of Buenos Aires and its suburbs.  The Diocese of Buenos Aires was established in 1620 and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1866.

The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Buenos Aires combines a neoclassical exterior with a Renaissance and Baroque interior.  Construction of the current church started in the late 17^th Century, but the nave collapsed in 1752 and rebuilding took place over the next 40 years.  The current façade dates to the 1860s.  The Cathedral’s floor is covered with mosaics designed in Italy and the main altar has an 18^th Century gilt wood Rococo altarpiece from Spain.  The Cathedral also has 17^th Century crucifix, an 1871 Walcker pipe organ with over 3,500 pipes, and Stations of the Cross that are original oil paintings that are about 5 feet high and 3 feet wide.  The image of the Virgin of Buen Ayre recalls the origin of the name of the metropolitan city.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has 12 suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Lomas de Zamora was created in 1957.
• The Diocese of Moron was created in 1957.
• The Diocese of San Isidro was created in 1957.
• The Diocese of Avellaneda-Lanus was created in 1961 as the Diocese of Avellaneda and acquired its current name in 2001.
• The Diocese of San Martin was created in 1961.
• The Diocese of San Justo was created in 1969.
• The Diocese of Quilmes was created in 1976.
• The Ukrainian Diocese of Santa Maria del Patrocinio en Buenos Aires was created as an apostolic exarchate in 1968 and became a Diocese in 1978.
• The Diocese of San Miguel was created in 1978.
• The Maronite Diocese of San Charbel en Buenos Aires was created in 1990.
• The Diocese of Merlo-Moreno was created in 1997.
• The Diocese of Gregorio de Laferrere was created in 2000.

Province of Parana

The province consists of the civil Province of Entre Rios.  The Diocese of Parana was created in 1859 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Parana in 1934.

Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in Parana was built in the late 19^th Century, although the parish dates to 1730.  The Cathedral is a mix of Renaissance and Byzantine styles and has two towers and a dome.

From Wikipedia

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Gualeguaychu was established in1957.
• The Diocese of Concordia was established in 1961.

Province of La Plata

The province consists of the civil Province of Buenos Aires, except for the City of Buenos Aires and its immediate suburbs.  The Diocese of La Plata was created in 1897 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of La Plata in 1934.

The cornerstone of the brick Our Lady of Sorrows Cathedral in La Plata was laid in 1884.  The unfinished church was consecrated in 1902 but construction was halted in the 1930s due to concerns about the foundation.  Renovations took place in the late 1990s which strengthened the foundation and added the two 367-foot towers.  The neo-Gothic building is modeled after the cathedrals in Amiens, France, and Cologne, Germany.  The Spanish website is catedraldelaplata.com.

All are from Wikipedia.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Azul was created in 1934.
• The Diocese of Mar del Plata was established in 1957.
• The Diocese of Nueve de Julio was created in 1957.
• The Diocese of Zarate-Campana was established in 1976.
• The Diocese of Chascomus established in 1980. 

Province of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz

The province consists of the northern part of the civil Province of Santa Fe.  The Diocese of Santa Fe was created in 1897 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Santa Fe in 1934.  It acquired its current name in 1992.

The adobe All Saints Cathedral in Santa Fe was originally constructed in 1649 in an Italian Classical style, although additions were made over the centuries.  The Cathedral has two bell towers and a marble altar that dates to the early 19^th Century.  The Cathedral also features oil paintings, a carving of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and a marble sculpture of the crucified Christ.

Both are from Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Reconquista was created in 1957.
• The Diocese of Rafaela was established in 1961. 

Province of Bahia Blanca

The province consists of southern Buenos Aires (civil) Province and the civil Provinces of La Pampa, Rio Negro, Chubut, and Santa Cruz.  The Diocese of Bahia Blanca was created in 1934 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bahia Blanca in 1957.  Our Lady of Mercy Cathedral in Bahia Blanca was completed in 1929.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has eight suffragan jurisdictions.

• The Diocese of Viedma was created in 1934.
• The Diocese of Comodoro Rivadavia was created in 1957.
• The Diocese of Santa Rosa was created in 1957.
• The Diocese of Rio Gallegos was created in 1961.
• The Diocese of Alto Valle del Rio Negro was created in 1993.
• The Diocese of San Carlos de Bariloche was created in 1993.
• The Territorial Prelature of Esquel was created in 2009.
• The Diocese of Rawson was created in 2023.

Province of Rosario

The province consists of the southern part of the civil Santa Fe Province.  The Diocese of Rosario was established in 1934 and was promoted to a Metropolitan archdiocese in 1963.

The Cathedral Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Rosario began as a parish church in 1731.  The current building was built in the late 19^th Century and contains a statue of the Virgin of the Rosary that was brought from Spain in 1773.  The main altar is made of Italian Carrara marble.  Pope Paul VI designated the Cathedral as a minor basilica in 1964.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of San Nicolas de los Arroyos was created in 1947.
• The Diocese of Venado Tuerto was created in 1963. 

Province of Resistencia

The province consists of the civil Provinces of Chaco and Formosa.  The Diocese of Resistencia was established in 1939 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Resistencia in 1984.  St. Ferdinand the King Cathedral in Resistencia was built in the 1930s.

From Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

• The Diocese of Formosa was established in 1957.
• The Diocese of San Roque de Presidencia Roque Saenz Pena was established in 1963 as the Diocese of Presidencia Roque Saenz Pena and acquired its current name in 1992.

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 archdioceses that are not part of a province that are directly under the jurisdiction of the Pope.  There are also jurisdictions below the level of a diocese.  These include apostolic vicariates, apostolic prefectures, and territorial prelatures.  All are missionary territories below the level of a diocese.  The difference is that a vicar apostolic holds the rank of a bishop and the other two are led by a priest, but not a bishop. 

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.  Eastern rite churches sometimes use different terminologies.  For example, a diocese might be called an eparchy and is led by an eparch.  A vicariate apostolic is called an exarchy and is led by an exarch. 

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 are symbolic of the Pope’s special relationship to the basilica.