Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Durban

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The Archdiocese of Durban presently under the leadership of Wilfrid Fox Cardinal Napier, O.F.M began as the Vicariate Apostolic of Natal which was erected on 15 November 1850 and placed under the leadership of Marie Jean Francois Allard, O.M.I. in 1851. Allard was created a bishop in the same year.

On the 11 January 1951, the Vicariate Apostolic was elevated to an Archdiocese with the title the Archdiocese of Durban. Bishop Denis Hurley who had been the Vicar Apostolic since 1946 was elevated to Archbishop on the same day. As of 2002, the Church census shows that there were 217,468 Catholics in 74 parishes in the Archdiocese.

At present, the Archdiocese contains the following dioceses:

• Dundee
  • Bishop Michael Rowland, O.F.M. appointed 17 September 1983 and has retired in the year 2005.
• Eshowe
  • Vacant since the death of Bishop Mansuet Dela Biyase on 1 July 2005.
• Kokstad
  • Bishop William Slattery, O.F.M. appointed 19 February 1994.
• Marianhill
  • Vacant since the resignation of Bishop Paul Mngoma on 7 February 2005.
• Umtata
  • Bishop Oswald Hirmer appointed 28 June 1997.
• Umzimkulu
  • Vacant since the resignation of Bishop Gerard Ndlovu on 22 August 1994.