Cabo Verde: Towards 500 years of Evangelization!

Dulce Araújo - Vatican City

It is a milestone that the country is already looking forward to celebrating. A Commission has already been created to prepare for the commemoration of this important anniversary. The objective is to highlight the great contributions made by the Church to Cape Verdean society throughout its history. This is according to the Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde, Cardinal Arlindo Furtado.

Ten years of preparations

Cabo Verde’s Radio Nova reports that a diocesan commission led by Father João Augusto Martins, Vicar General and President of the Pastoral Council was created last month. The commission will work on a pre-program for the next ten years. The Cardinal has called upon Cabo Verdeans to participate and assume their historic responsibility in the present moment and in the future.

Cape Verde's historical origins lie in l460, when two navigators, Diogo Gomes and António de Noli, under the orders of Infante D. Henrique of Portugal, Duke of Vise also known as Prince Henry the Navigator arrived on the Islands.

Fourteenth Century Evangelisation

Little is known about the fourteenth-century evangelization of the islands. In l480 there was already talk of the erection of the second parish dedicated to Saint Filipe, on the island of Fogo. Around l495, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário is built, one of the oldest on the island of Santiago.

In l5l4 and l5l6, the first norms relating to the Baptism of slaves on board slave ships passing through Santiago were recorded.

Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde

On 3 January 1533, by the Bull “Pro Excelenti,” Pope Clement VII created the Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde with the parish Church of Ribeira Grande on the Island of Santiago.

From 1941 onwards, the Islands went through a missionary revival. The religious orders of the Holy Ghost Fathers, Capuchins, followed by Salesians in succession all flocked to the Island.