Catholic Church in the Gambia: Difference between revisions
Nmarshall25 (talk | contribs) Adding short description: "Roman Catholic Church in Gambia" |
adding citations - doing my best to find the right number as opposed to fluctuating and fickle statistics |
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==Organization and institutions== |
==Organization and institutions== |
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{{Update|part=section|date=December 2022}} |
{{Update|part=section|date=December 2022}} |
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In 2008 the Catholic Church |
In 2008 the Catholic Church was present in the territory with the sole [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Banjul|Diocese of Banjul]], immediately subject to the [[Holy See]]. |
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By 2019, the Catholic Church of The Gambia counted: |
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* 22 parishes<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019 |title=Banjul Diocese List of Parishes |url=https://banjuldiocese.com/parishes.html |access-date=May 18, 2023}}</ref> |
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* 56 parishes |
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* 38 priests<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Banjul Diocese Priest Directory |url=https://banjuldiocese.com/directory.html |access-date=May 18, 2023}}</ref> |
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* 26 priests |
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* ≈55 religious sisters |
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* 57 schools |
* 57 schools |
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* 9 charities |
* 9 charities |
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The Catholic population amounted to 34,400 Christians, equal to 2.10% of the population. |
The Catholic population amounted to 34,400 Christians, equal to 2.10% of the population. |
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== Interfaith relations == |
== Interfaith relations == |
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Gambia is a predominantly [[Muslim]] country (approximately 94% of the population). Relations between the Muslim and Christian communities in Gambia are generally very good. The Catholic Church operates various missions including schools which children of Muslim parents attend. Of the minority Christian population, there are around 30,000 Catholics, which represents around 2% of the population. |
Gambia is a predominantly [[Muslim]] country (approximately 94% of the population as of 2020)<ref>{{Cite web |last=US Department of State |title=Gambia 2020 International Religious Freedom Report |url=https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/240282-GAMBIA-2020-INTERNATIONAL-RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM-REPORT.pdf |access-date=May 18, 2023}}</ref>. Relations between the Muslim and Christian communities in Gambia are generally very good. The Catholic Church operates various missions including schools which children of Muslim parents attend. Of the minority Christian population, there are around 30,000 Catholics, which represents around 2% of the population. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 20:16, 18 May 2023
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2022) |
The Catholic Church in the Gambia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. The Diocese of Banjul covers the whole of the country.
History
The history of the Catholic Church in the Gambia is closely linked to Senegal. In 1445 Portuguese arrived on the coast of West Africa with the first attempts of Evangelism. Further attempts at evangelism would be carried out by French missionaries in 1849.[1] Between 1849 and 1949, Catholicism was largely limited to Banjul.[1]
From the ecclesiastical point of view, only in 1931 was born the mission of the Gambia, entrusted to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, detached from the Apostolic vicariate of Senegambia. In 1951 was erected the Apostolic Prefecture of Bathurst (now Banjul), which became a diocese in 1957 immediately subject to Holy See.
In 1992 Pope John Paul II visited Gambia and gave further impetus to the interest in Christian-Muslim relations within the Catholic community. The Pope stressed the importance of the good relations existing between the two. He stated “we are all pilgrims on the path of seeking to do God’s will in everything. Although we differ in many ways, there are important elements of our respective faiths which can serve as a basis for fruitful dialogue and a strengthening of the spirit of tolerance and mutual help”. He met with leaders of the Muslim community, and Muslims were present at the Mass he celebrated at the Independence Stadium while in the Gambia.
Organization and institutions
 | This section needs to be updated. (December 2022) |
In 2008 the Catholic Church was present in the territory with the sole Diocese of Banjul, immediately subject to the Holy See.
By 2019, the Catholic Church of The Gambia counted:
The Catholic population amounted to 34,400 Christians, equal to 2.10% of the population.
The episcopate of the Gambia is part of the Catholic Church in Inter-territorial Catholic Bishops' Conference of The Gambia and Sierra Leone.
Interfaith relations
Gambia is a predominantly Muslim country (approximately 94% of the population as of 2020)[4]. Relations between the Muslim and Christian communities in Gambia are generally very good. The Catholic Church operates various missions including schools which children of Muslim parents attend. Of the minority Christian population, there are around 30,000 Catholics, which represents around 2% of the population.
See also
Bibliography
- Guide of the Catholic missions in 2005, by the Congregation for the evangelizatione gentium, Rome, Urban University Press, 2005.
References
- ^ a b Dampha, Ebrima (2014-08-14). "The Feast Of Sainte Mary – The Gambia | Standard News From The Gambia". Retrieved 2022-12-30.
- ^ "Banjul Diocese List of Parishes". 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ "Banjul Diocese Priest Directory". 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ US Department of State. "Gambia 2020 International Religious Freedom Report" (PDF). Retrieved May 18, 2023.