Monday, November 1, 2021

Italy-5

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

This blog covers seven ecclesiastic provinces in the administrative regions of Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, and parts of Liguria, Lombardy, and Piedmont, in northern Italy, as well as the nation of San Marino. The ecclesiastic provinces are: Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Modena-Nonantola, Pisa, Ravenna-Cervia, and Siena-Colle de Val d’Elsa-Montalcino.

In addition to the ecclesiastic provinces, there are two other territories in Tuscany that are immediately subject to the Pope.

The Diocese of Lucca was established in the 1st Century and became an archdiocese in 1726.
The Territorial Abbacy of Monte Oliveto Maggiore was established in 1899.

Province of Ravenna-Cervia

The province consists of the eastern portion of the Administrative Region of Emilia-Romagna and the nation of San Marino. The Diocese of Ravenna was established in the 1st Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in the 5th Century. It acquired its current name in 1986.

The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in Ravenna was built in the mid-18th Century in a Baroque style to replace a 5th Century cathedral. The entrance is flanked by two pink granite columns that came from the old cathedral. The blue-green elliptical dome is 155 feet high and is decorated with frescoes on the inside. The 10th Century brick bell tower is 115 feet tall.

The 6th Century ambo has 36 carved panels each depicting an animal and representing creation. A chapel is dedicated to the Madonna del Sudore, which is translated Virgin of Sweat. The main altar is made of green, black, and white marbles and behind the altar are paintings from the late 1700s to early 1800s depicting the Resurrection and significant events in the history of the Church in Ravenna. Pope John XXIII declared the Cathedral to be a minor basilica in 1960.

The first five pictures are from the archdiocesan website and the other two are from Wikipedia.

The Co-Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Cervia was built in a Baroque style between 1699 and 1702. The cathedral has five altars and six side chapels, as well as several paintings and sculptures.

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

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Cesena-Sarsina was established as the Diocese of Cesena in the 1st Century and acquired its current name in 1986.
The Diocese of Forli-Bertinoro was established as the Diocese of Forli in the 2nd Century and acquired its current name in 1986.
The Diocese of Rimini was established in the 4th Century.
The Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro was established as the Diocese of Montefeltro in the 9th Century and acquired its current name in 1977. The Diocese includes the nation of San Marino, which has 33,000 people, of whom over 90 percent are Catholic. San Marino has been an independent nation since 301.

Province of Pisa

The province consists of the northwestern portion of the Administrative Region of Tuscany. The Diocese of Pisa was established in the 4th Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1092.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Pisa was built in the 11th Century and enlarged in the 12th Century. It is, of course, best known for its bell tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Although primarily Romanesque, the Cathedral also incorporates elements of Classical, Byzantine, and Islamic styles. A 1595 fire resulted in a major renovation.

The exterior consists of multicolored marble, mosaics, and several bronze objects, many of which were spoils of war. The bronze doors of the main façade were made in the 17th Century, but the St. Rainerius door in the south transept was made in 1180 and features 24 bronze relief sculptures of New Testament events. The elliptical dome was designed in a Moorish style.

The interior, in the form of a Latin cross, has walls of white and black marble. The 17th Century coffered ceiling is decorated in gold leaf. The ceiling is supported by granite Corinthian columns that were once in a mosque in Palermo. There are several frescoes and mosaics, some of which date before the 1595 fire. Giovanni Pisano’s 14th Century pulpit is considered an Italian Gothic masterpiece—it depicts scenes from the life of Christ. The Cathedral has many works of art including more than two dozen 16th and 17th Century paintings. In addition there is a lamp that may have inspired Galileo, a container that may have been used by Jesus at the Wedding Feast at Cana, and the tomb of Pope Gregory VIII.

The baptistery and bell tower are separate buildings. The Romanesque bell tower was built between 1173 and 1350 and started to lean in 1178.

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

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Volterra was established in the 5th Century.
The Diocese of Pescia was established as a territorial prelature in 1519 before becoming a diocese in 1727.
The Diocese of Livorno was established in 1806.
The Diocese of Massa Carrara-Pontremoli was established as the Territorial Abbacy of Massa Carrara in 1100 and this became a diocese in 1822. It acquired its current name in 1988.

Province of Genoa

The province consists of most of the Administrative Region of Liguria and parts of Piedmont and Lombardy. The Diocese of Genoa was established in the 3rd Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1133.

The black and white striped Cathedral of St. Lawrence in Genoa was primarily built in the Romanesque and Gothic styles between the 12th and 14th Centuries. Some Baroque features were added later. The façade was built in the 13th Century and the 200 foot bell tower and dome were added in the 16th Century. The Cathedral has several frescoes—some dating to the 14th Century. The Cathedral treasury contains a chalice which some believe to be the Holy Grail.

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

The Province has six suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Tortona was established in the 2nd Century.
The Diocese of La Spezia-Sarzana-Brugnato was established as the Diocese of Luni in 465 and acquired its current name in 1986.
The Diocese of Albenga-Imperia was established as the Diocese of Albenga in the 5th Century and acquired its current name in 1973.
The Diocese of Ventimiglia-San Remo was established as the Diocese of Ventimiglia in 670 and acquired its current name in 1975.
The Diocese of Savona-Noli was established in 680 as the Diocese of Vado Ligure, became the Diocese of Savona in 992, and acquired its current name in 1986.
The Diocese of Chiavari was established in 1892.

Province of Florence

The province consists of the northeastern portion of the Administrative Region of Tuscany. The Diocese of Florence was established in the 1st Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1419.

Construction of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Mary of the Flower in Florence began in 1296 and was largely completed by 1436. Covering 89,000 square feet, the Gothic Cathedral is one the world’s largest churches. The exterior is covered with white, green, and pink marble panels and has a Gothic Revival façade that was added in the 19th Century. The octagonal dome is the largest brick dome ever constructed. At 376 feet, it is the third tallest dome in the world and is not supported by buttresses. Above the main door is a 15th Century clock that is still in working order. The Cathedral’s 44 stained glass windows date to the 14th and 15th Centuries and were designed by Florentine artists, including Donatello. The Cathedral complex also includes a baptistery and a bell tower. The Cathedral contains several tombs including those of Giotto di Bondone, who contributed much to the design of the Cathedral; and two popes—Nicholas II and Stephen IX.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Fiesole was established in 1st Century.
The Diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro was established as the Diocese of Arezzo in the 3rd Century and acquired its current name in 1986 with the consolidation with two other dioceses.
The Diocese of Pistoia was established in the 3rd Century.
The Diocese of San Miniato was established in 1622.
The Diocese of Prato was established in 1954.

Province of Siena-Colle di Val d’Elsa-Montalcino

The province consists of the southern portion of the Administrative Region of Tuscany. The Diocese of Siena was established in the 4th Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1459. It acquired its current name in 1986.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Siena was built between 1215 and 1264 with a dome and a bell tower. The bell tower has six bells including one that was cast in 1149. The dome’s lantern was added later by Bernini. Both the interior and exterior are constructed with alternating stripes of white and greenish-black marble, with the addition of red marble on the façade. The main or west façade combines French Gothic, Tuscan Romanesque, and classical architectural styles and features numerous statues of biblical figures and other subjects. The façade is topped by three mosaics completed in 1878—the central one depicts the Coronation of the Virgin.

The floor of the interior consists of 56 marble panels depicting Biblical and religious themes. These panels were created during the 14th to 16th Centuries by about 40 different artists. The interior features 172 plaster busts of popes and 36 busts of various emperors. The stained glass window in the choir dates to 1288 and the one in the façade dates to 1549. The later depicts the Last Supper by Pastorini. The dome has 15th Century images and statues of patriarchs and prophets. The 13th Century pulpit has carved panels depicting the life of Christ. The Chapel of St. John the Baptist features a bronze statue of the Saint by Donatello and eight frescoes by Pinturicchio. Bernini designed the Chigi Chapel and he sculpted two of the four statues. In addition to the works of Donatello and Bernini, there are also four statues in the Cathedral by Michelangelo. The following website offers more information and pictures:

https://operaduomo.siena.it/en/sites/cathedral/.

The last two pictures are from Pinterest and the rest are from Wikipedia.

The Co-Cathedral of the Holy Savior in Montalcino was built in a Neo-Classical style between 1818 and 1832. The church has several paintings by Italian artists—including two 16th Century works by Francesco Vanni.

The first four pictures are from Wikipedia and the last is from a local website.

The Co-Cathedral of Saints Martial and Albert in Colle di Val D’Elsa was mostly built during the 17th Century. It has eight side chapels and has one of the nails from the Crucifixion. The brick and sandstone Neo-Classical façade dates to the early 19th Century.

The middle picture is from Wikipedia and the other two are from local sources.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Massa Marittima-Piombino was established in the 5th Century.
The Diocese of Pitigliano-Sovana-Orbetello was established as the Diocese of Sovana in 670 and acquired its current name in 1986.
The Diocese of Grosseto was established in 1138.
The Diocese of Montepulciano-Chiusi-Pienza was established as the Diocese of Montepulciano in 1561 and acquired its current name in 1986.

Province of Bologna

The province consists of the central portion of the Administrative Region of Emilia-Romagna. The Diocese of Bologna was established in the 3rd Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1582.

The Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Bologna was built primarily in the 17th and 18th Centuries to replace previous cathedrals on the same site. The Baroque interior features several works of art including a cedar crucifix. There is a 230-foot tall bell tower with four bells.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

The Archdiocese of Ferrara-Comacchio was established as the Diocese of Voghenza in 431 and became the Diocese of Ferrara in 624. It became an archdiocese in 1735 and a metropolitan archdiocese in 1803 before being demoted to an archdiocese in 1976. It acquired its current name in 1986.
The Diocese of Faenza-Modigliana was established as the Diocese of Faenza in the 3rd Century and acquired its current name in 1986.
The Diocese of Imola was established in the 4th Century.

Province of Modena-Nonantola

The province consists of the western portion of the Administrative Region of Emilia-Romagna. The Diocese of Modena was created in the 3rd Century and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1855. It acquired its current name in 1986.

The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St. Geminianus in Modena was built between 1099 and 1389 using stone and marble from Roman ruins. The Romanesque church has a bell tower. The façade has several reliefs featuring biblical stories as well as stories related to the legend of King Arthur. The 13th Century rood screen depicts scenes from the life of Christ. The cathedral has three pipe organs, the oldest of which dates to 1719. The cathedral was declared a minor basilica by Pope Pius IX in 1934. It was also the location of the funeral for Luciano Pavarotti, a Modena native.

The first picture is from UNESCO and the others from Wikipedia.

The Co-Cathedral Basilica of St. Sylvester, also known as Nonantola Abbey, has its origins as a Benedictine abbey founded in 752 by St. Anselm. The monastery eventually became one of the most powerful in Europe—St. Charles Borromeo was abbot for a few years during the 16th Century and the future Pope Julius II was abbot a few decades before. The current Romanesque structure was built in the 12th Century and has been restored over the centuries. The abbey declined over time and ceased being an abbey in 1986 when it became the Co-Cathedral of the Archdiocese. The church contains the remains of St. Sylvester and other saints. It has been considered a basilica for centuries.

The first two pictures are from Flickr, the third is from Pinterest, and the fourth from Wikipedia.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Reggio Emilia-Guastalla was established as the Diocese of Reggio Emilia in the 1st Century and acquired its current name in 1986.
The Diocese of Piacenza-Bobbio was established as the Diocese of Piacenza in the 4th Century and acquired its current name in 1989.
The Diocese of Parma was established in 680.
The Diocese of Fidenza was established as the Diocese of Borgo San Donnino in 1601 and acquired its current name in 1927.
The Diocese of Carpi was established in 1779.

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.

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Central Africa

This blog will discuss the Catholic Church in the Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville). All of these nations except for Equatorial Guinea were eventually organized by the French into French Equatorial Africa starting in 1908. The colonial capital was established in Brazzaville.

Central African Republic

In a continent that has a sad history of colonial exploitation, the Central African Republic has a worse history than most. The slave trade was very active in the 16th and 17th Centuries. In the late 1800s, the French, Germans, and Belgians, competed for colonies in this part of Africa, with the French gaining control of what is now the Central African Republic. The colony became part of French Equatorial Africa in 1920. The French exploited natural resources and forced the local people to work essentially as slaves. By 1940, the population had declined by half. France granted independence in 1960. Catholic missionary activity started in 1909 and the French invited Protestant missionaries in the 1920s and 1930s.

Over 80 percent of the Central African Republic’s 5.4 million people are Christian—about 50 percent Protestant and 30 percent Catholic. Another 10 percent are Muslim. Many people mix local folk religions with either Christianity or Islam. There are two Catholic ecclesiastic provinces—Bangui and Berberati. Maronite-rite Catholics are under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of the Annunciation in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Province of Bangui

The province consists of the central and eastern parts of the nation. The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bangui began as an apostolic prefecture in 1909, became an apostolic vicariate in 1937, and a metropolitan archdiocese in 1955.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is in Bangui. The red-brick cathedral was built in the 1930s and has twin towers on either side of the façade. The Cathedral was attacked in 2013 and 2014 by rebel forces, but was visited by Pope Francis in 2015.

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

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Bangassou was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1954 and became a diocese in 1964.
The Diocese of Bambari was established in 1965.
The Diocese of Kaga-Bandoro was established in 1997.
The Diocese of Alindao was established in 2004.

Province of Berberati

The province consists of the western part of the nation. The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Berberati was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1940, became an apostolic vicariate in 1952, and a diocese in 1955. It was promoted to an archdiocese in 2026.

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is in Berberati.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Bossangoa was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1959 and became a diocese in 1964.
The Diocese of Bouar was established in 1978.
The Diocese of Mbaiki was established in 1995.

Chad

Chad was part of several African empires starting in the 8th Century, but became part of French Equatorial Africa in 1920. Chad gained its independence in 1960. Catholic evangelization started in 1929 with the arrival of the Holy Ghost Fathers, but Protestants had already begun evangelization by that time.

Slightly more than half of Chad’s 17.4 million people are Muslim. Protestants account for 24 percent and Catholics for 20 percent. There is one Catholic ecclesiastic province—N’Djamena. In addition, the Apostolic Vicariate of Mongo serves about 6,000 Catholics and is immediately subject to the Pope. It was established as an apostolic prefecture in 2001 and became an apostolic vicariate in 2009. The Vicariate covers most of eastern Chad—an area of over 200,000 square miles. Maronite-rite Catholics are under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of the Annunciation in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Province of N’Djamena

The province consists of most of the nation. The Apostolic Prefecture of Fort-Lamy was established in 1947. This became a diocese in 1955 and a metropolitan archdiocese in 1961. It became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of N’Djamena in 1973.

Our Lady of Peace Cathedral in N’Djamena was built in 1965, but destroyed in 1980 during a civil war. An arch is all that is left from the old cathedral. The Cathedral was rebuilt in a French Colonial style between 1983 and 1986.

The top picture is from Wikipedia and the bottom drawing is from the Cathedral website.

The Province has six suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Moundou was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1951 and became a diocese in 1959.
The Diocese of Pala was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1956 and became a diocese in 1964.
The Diocese of Sarh was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1961 and was promoted to a diocese in 1972.
The Diocese of Doba was established in 1989.
The Diocese of Gore was established in 1998.
The Diocese of Lai was established in 1998.
The Diocese of Koumra was established in 2023.

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea became a Spanish colony in the late 1700s and Catholic evangelization began in 1841. The nation gained its independence from Spain in 1968.

Between 80 and 90 percent of Equatorial Guinea’s 900,000 people are Catholic. There is one Catholic ecclesiastic province—Malabo. Maronite-rite Catholics are under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of the Annunciation in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Province of Malabo

The province consists of the entire nation. The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Malabo began as an apostolic prefecture in 1855, became an apostolic vicariate in 1904, a diocese in 1966, and a metropolitan archdiocese in 1982.

St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral is located in Malabo and is dedicated to St. Elizabeth of Hungary. The Neo-Gothic structure was built between 1897 and 1916 and has two 130-foot towers. It was severely damaged by fire in 2020 during a restoration.

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

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Bata was established as an apostolic vicariate in 1965 and became a diocese in 1966.
The Diocese of Ebebiyin was established in 1982.
The Diocese of Evinayong was established in 2017.
The Diocese of Mongomo was established in 2017.

Gabon

European explorers came to Gabon in the early 19th Century and France gained full control of Gabon in 1885. Gabon became part of French Equatorial Africa in 1910 and it gained its independence from France in 1960. French missionaries from the Congregation of the Holy Spirit brought the Faith to Gabon in the first half of the 19th Century although the Faith did not spread beyond the coastal cities until the 1880s.

About 42 percent of Gabon’s population of 2.3 million are Catholic. About 12 percent are traditional Protestants, 27 percent belong to quasi-Christian African denominations, and 10 percent are Muslim. There is one Catholic ecclesiastic province—Libreville. There is also the Apostolic Vicariate of Makokou which serves 28,000 Catholics in northeastern Gabon in an area that is about half Catholic. It began as an apostolic prefecture in 2003, became an apostolic vicariate in 2014, and is immediately subject to the Pope. Maronite-rite Catholics are under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of the Annunciation in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Province of Libreville

The province consists of most of the nation. The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Libreville began as the Apostolic Prefecture of the two Guineas and Senegambia in 1842. This became an apostolic vicariate in 1846 and the Diocese of Libreville in 1955. It became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1958.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Libreville was built between 1958 and 1964.

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

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Mouila was established in 1958.
The Diocese of Oyem was established in 1969.
The Diocese of Franceville was established in 1974.
The Diocese of Port-Gentil was established in 2003.

Republic of the Congo—Brazzaville

The territory that is now the Republic of the Congo came under the control of France in 1880 and became part of French Equatorial Africa in 1908. It gained its independence from France in 1960. Serious evangelization began in the 1880s.

One third (and possibly as many as a half) of the Republic of the Congo’s 5.4 million people are Catholic. Almost 20 percent are traditional Protestants and 22 percent belong to African Christian or quasi-Christian churches. There are three Catholic ecclesiastic provinces—Brazzaville, Owando, and Pointe-Noire. Maronite-rite Catholics are under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of the Annunciation in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Province of Brazzaville

The province consists of the civil provinces of Brazzaville, Pool, and Plateaux in the southeastern portion of the Republic. The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Brazzaville began as an apostolic vicariate in 1886 and was promoted to a metropolitan archdiocese in 1955.

Sacred Heart Cathedral in Brazzaville was built in 1892 and has been renovated twice. The main entrance has statues of Saints Peter and Paul that are over 100 years old.

The first picture is from a local blog, the second is from Panaramio, and the last from TripAdvisor.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Kinkala was established in 1987.
The Diocese of Gamboma was established in 2013.

Province of Owando

The province consists of the civil provinces of Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Likouala, and Sangha, in the northern part of the Republic. The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Owando was established as an apostolic vicariate in 1950, became a diocese in 1955, and a metropolitan archdiocese in 2020.

The Cathedral of Christ the King in Owando was completed in 1959. It was enlarged and a bell tower was added in 1975.

From Facebook

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Ouesso was established in 1983.
The Diocese of Impfondo was established as an apostolic prefecture in 2000 and became a diocese in 2011.

Province of Pointe-Noire

The province consists of the civil provinces of Bouenza, Kouilou, Kekoumou, Niari, and Pointe-Noire, in the southwestern portion of the Republic. The Apostolic Vicariate of Lower French Congo was established in 1890, became the Diocese of Pointe-Noire in 1955, and the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Pointe-Noire in 2020.

The Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle is in Pointe-Noire and was built prior to 1975.

Both pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has two suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Nkayi was established in 1983.
The Diocese of Dolisie was established in 2013.

Definitions

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.

Friday, October 1, 2021

Cameroon

Cameroon became a German colony in 1884 and was divided between the British and the French following the First World War. French Cameroon became independent in 1960 and the British colony was incorporated into the Federal Republic of Cameroon the following year.

Missionaries brought the Catholic Faith to Cameroon beginning in 1890. The Church saw its most rapid growth between 1920 and 1960. Cameroon’s 29 million people are mostly Christian. About 38 percent are Catholic, 26 percent are Protestant, and 6 percent are other Christians, including Orthodox and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Muslims account for about 23 percent. Although religious beliefs are dispersed throughout the country, most Catholics live in the south and west, Protestants in the west, and Muslims in the north. There are five Catholic ecclesiastic provinces—Bamenda, Bertoua, Douala, Garoua, and Yaounde. Maronite-rite Catholics are under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of the Annunciation in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Province of Yaounde

The province consists of the civil provinces of South and most of Centre in southern Cameroon. The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Yaounde began as an apostolic prefecture in 1890, became an apostolic vicariate in 1905, and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1955.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories in Yaounde was built between 1952 and 1955 and is large enough to accommodate 5,000 worshippers.

All pictures are from Wikipedia.

The Province has six suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Mbalmayo was established in 1961.
The Diocese of Sangmelima was established in 1963.
The Diocese of Bafia was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1965 and became a diocese in 1968.
The Diocese of Obala was established in 1987.
The Diocese of Ebolowa was established in 1991.
The Diocese of Kribi was established in 2008.

Province of Bamenda

The province consists of the civil provinces of Northwest and Southwest in western Cameroon. The Diocese of Bamenda was established in 1970 and became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bamenda in 1982.

St. Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda was established as a parish in 1935. The current cathedral was built shortly after Bamenda became a diocese in 1970.

From a local website.

The Province has four suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Buea was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1923, became an apostolic vicariate in 1939, and a diocese in 1950.
The Diocese of Kumbo was established in 1982.
The Diocese of Mamfe was established in 1999.
The Diocese of Kumba was established in 2016.

Province of Douala

The province consists of the civil regions of Littoral, West, and part of Centre in western Cameroon. The Apostolic Prefecture of Douala was created in 1931, became an apostolic vicariate in 1932, a diocese in 1955, and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1982.

The Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Douala was built by French Spiritan priests in 1936. The building has a dome and twin towers and employs Byzantine and neo-Roman styles.

All the pictures are from Wikipedia, except the middle one, which is from a local website.

The Province has five suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Nkongsamba was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1914, became an apostolic vicariate in 1934, and a diocese in 1955.
The Diocese of Bafoussam was established in 1970.
The Diocese of Edea was established in 1993.
The Diocese of Eseka was established in 1993.
The Diocese of Bafang was established in 2012.

Province of Garoua

The province consists of the civil provinces of North, Far North, and Adamawa in northern Cameroon. The Apostolic Prefecture of Garoua was created in 1947, became an apostolic vicariate in 1953, a diocese in 1955, and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1982.

The Cathedral of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus is in Garoua.

From a local website.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Maroua-Mokolo was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1968 and became a diocese in 1973.
The Diocese of Yagoua was established as an apostolic prefecture in 1968 and became a diocese in 1973.
The Diocese of Ngaoundere was established in 1982.

Province of Bertoua

The province consists of the civil province of East in southeastern Cameroon. The Diocese of Bertoua was established in 1983 and became a metropolitan archdiocese in 1994.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Family is in Bertoua.

Pictures are from Facebook and Wikipedia.

The Province has three suffragan dioceses.

The Diocese of Doume-Abong Mbang was established as an apostolic vicariate in 1949, became a diocese in 1955, and acquired its current name ibn 1983.
The Diocese of Yokadouma was established in 1991.
The Diocese of Batouri was established in 1994.