Roman Catholicism in São Tomé and Príncipe

The Roman Catholic Church in São Tomé and Príncipe is part of the Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and Roman Curia in Rome and forms the largest religion in the country. A majority of the residents São Tomé and Príncipe adhere to Roman Catholicism.

In 2005, about 118,000 (88 %) residents of São Tome and Principe were members of the Catholic Church.^[1] The country consists of a single diocese, Roman Catholic Diocese of São Tomé and Príncipe, which has Manuel António Mendes dos Santos as bishop since 2006. The bishop is a member of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé whose president of the Episcopal Conference is Gabriel Mbilingi, bishop of Lubango (Angola). Furthermore, one member of the Inter Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa and Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar.

The Nuncio of São Tome and Principe is Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, which also Nuncio for Angola. The main Catholic church in the country is the Sé Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Graça de São Tomé.

Apostolic Delegation

• Apostolic Pro- Nuncio
  • Archbishop Fortunato Baldelli (4 May 1985 - 20 April 1991, later Cardinal)
  • Archbishop Felix del Blanco Prieto (31 May 1991 - 4 May 1996)
• Apostolic Nuncio
  • Archbishop Aldo Cavalli (2 July 1996 - 28 June 2001)
  • Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu (15 November 2001 - 23 July 2009)
  • Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa (since February 6, 2010)

See also

• Roman Catholic Diocese of São Tomé and Príncipe

References

External Links

• Conferência Episcopal de Angola e São Tomé
• Catholic Church in São Tomé and Príncipe
• Catholic Church in São Tomé and Príncipe - Catholic-Hierarchy