Archdiocese of Bobo-Dioulasso

The Archdiocese of Bobo-Dioulasso (Latin: Archidioecesis Bobodiulassensis) is the Metropolitan archdiocese of the Catholic Church in southwestern Burkina Faso, centered in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, the country's second-largest urban area with a population of 1.129 million.[1]

History

  • 15 December 1927: Established as the Apostolic Prefecture of Bobo-Dioulasso from the Apostolic Vicariate of Bamako, Mali, and the Apostolic Vicariate of Ouagadougou
  • 9 March 1937: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Bobo-Dioulasso
  • 14 September 1955: Promoted as the Diocese of Bobo-Dioulasso
  • 5 December 2000: Promoted as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bobo-Dioulasso

Historically, the archdiocese was established due to the early 20th-century missionary activities in the region, gaining and losing territorial ground, such as losses in 1942 to create the Apostolic Prefecture of Gao, in 1947 for Sikasso, and in 1951 for Nouna, as well as more recent establishments of Suffragan sees like Banfora in 1998 and Gaoua in 2011.[1][2] By 2023, the number had risen to 22 parishes, supported by 90 priests (66 diocesan and 24 religious), 57 male religious, and 226 female religious, ministering to a Catholic population of 225,790 - representing the total 2,116,740 inhabitants.[1]

The current metropolitan bishop is Laurent Birfuoré Dabiré, appointed by Pope Francis on 18 December 2024 following the resignation of his predecessor, Paul Yemboaro Ouédraogo, who stepped down at age 75 after serving since 2010.[3] Under recent leadership, the archdiocese has focused on community initiatives, including the renovation of its historic Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, completed as Burkina Faso's second-oldest cathedral and a symbol of local Catholic Pride.[4]

Special churches

The seat of the archbishop is Cathédrale Notre Dame de Lourdes in Bobo Dioulasso.

Bishops

Ordinaries, in reverse chronological order

  • Metropolitan Archbishops of Bobo-Dioulasso (Roman rite), below
  • Bishops of Bobo-Dioulasso (Roman rite), below
    • Bishop Anselme Titianma Sanou: 12 December 1974 – 5 December 2000: see above
    • Bishop André-Joseph-Prosper Dupont, M. Afr.: 14 September 1955 – 12 December 1974; see below
  • Vicars Apostolic of Bobo-Dioulasso (Roman rite), below
    • Bishop André-Joseph-Prosper Dupont, M. Afr.: 8 July 1941 – 14 September 1955; see above
    • Bishop Louis-Joseph-Ephrem Groshenry, M. Afr.: 17 June 1937 – 15 May 1941
  • Prefects Apostolic of Bobo-Dioulasso (Roman rite), below
    • Father Marcel Paternôt, M. Afr.: 26 October 1934 - 1937
    • Father Césaire-Jean-Hippolyte Esquerre, M. Afr.: 11 January 1928 – 18 June 1934

Other priests of this diocese who became bishops

Suffragan Dioceses

See also

Sources

References

  1. ^ a b c "Bobo-Dioulasso (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  2. ^ "Archdiocese of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso 🇧🇫". GCatholic. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  3. ^ "AFRICA/BURKINA FASO - Resignation and appointment of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bobo-Dioulasso - Agenzia Fides". www.fides.org. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  4. ^ EWTN. "Renovation of Burkina Faso's 2nd Oldest Cathedral "pride of Catholic community": Cardinal". ACI Africa. Retrieved 17 March 2026.

11°10′41″N 4°18′11″W / 11.1781°N 4.3030°W / 11.1781; -4.3030


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