Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde celebrates 488 years.

Cardinal Arlindo Gomes Furtado, the Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde, has presided over a thanksgiving Mass marking 488 years of the Diocese’s existence.

Radio Nova – Cabo Verde & Vatican News English Africa Service

The celebration took place, last Sunday, at the Pro-Cathedral of Our Lady of Grace (Pró-catedral Nossa Senhora da Graça) in the city centre of Praia, Santiago Island.

The Catholic faith is alive and well

During the homily, Cardinal Arlindo spoke of the circumstances under which the diocese was erected, highlighting the fact that almost 500 years later the Church on the island republic is alive and well.

The Cardinal, interceding through Saint James the Minor, patron saint of the Church, prayed for all the Catholic faithful on the Island.

Diocese was created in 1533

The Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde was created on 31 January 1533, by Pope Clement VII, through the Bull "Pro Excelenti." The first parish was known as the Church of Ribeira Grande.

In 2033, the diocese will celebrate its 500 years of evangelization.

A total of 34 bishops have passed through the diocese. The first Bishop was Bishop Braz Neto, O.F.M (1533-1538). Bishop Paulino Livramento Évora, C.S.Sp. (1975-2009) was the first indigenous Bishop.

Cardinal Arlindo has been Bishop of the diocese since 2009.

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