Roman Catholic Diocese of Bambari
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bambari (Latin: Banguen(sis)) is a suffragan Latin rite diocese in Bambari in the Ecclesiastical province of the Metropolitan Bangui, which covers the Central African Republic, yet depends on the missionary Roman Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Its [[cathedral] episcopal see is Cathédrale Saint Joseph, dedicated to Saint Joseph, in Bambari, Ouaka.
History
Established on 1965.12.18 as Diocese of Bambari / Bambaritan(us) (Latin adjective), on territory split off from its Metropolitan, the Archdiocese of Bangui.
Statistics
As per 2014, it pastorally served 104,129 Catholics (24.2% of 429,755 total) on 173,000 km² in 14 parishes and 4 missions with 25 priests (23 diocesan, 2 religious), 22 lay religious (2 brothers, 20 sisters) and 7 seminarians.
Episcopal Ordinaries
(all Roman Rite)
- Suffragan Bishops of Bambari
- Apostolic administrator Joachim N’Dayen (1970–1978) while Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangui (Central African Republic) (1970.09.16 – 2003.07.26), President of Central African Episcopal Conference (1970 – 1997), later President of Association of Episcopal Conferences of the Central Africa Region (1989 – 1994) ; previously Titular Archbishop of Culusi (1968.09.05 – 1970.09.16) as Coadjutor Archbishop of Bangui (1968.09.05 – succession 1970.09.16)
- Apostolic Administrator Father Michel Marie Joseph Maître, Spiritans (C.S.Sp.) (born France) (1978 – 19 June 1981 see below)
- Michel Marie Joseph Maître, C.S.Sp. (see above 19 June 1981 – death 20 February 1996)
- Jean-Claude Rembanga (29 February 1996 – retired 6 November 2004)
- Édouard Mathos (6 November 2004 – died 28 April 2017), also President of Central African Episcopal Conference (2010.02 – 2013.07); previously Titular Bishop of Giufi (1987.08.28 – 2004.11.06), first as Auxiliary Bishop of Diocese of Bossangoa (Central African Republic) (1987.08.28 – 1991.01.26), then as Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Bangui (Central African Republic (1991.01.26 – 2004.11.06)
- Bertrand Guy Richard Appora-Ngalanibé, Dominican Order (O.P.) (28 April 2017 - ...), succeeding as previous coadjutor-bishop (December 10, 2016 – April 28, 2017)
See also
- List of Catholic dioceses in the Central African Republic
- Roman Catholicism in the Central African Republic
Sources and external links
Coordinates: 5°45′17″N 20°40′43″E / 5.7546°N 20.6785°E