Africa
Africa is the second-largest and second-most populous continent, spanning approximately 30.37 million km² and home to over 1.4 billion people as of 2023, representing about 18% of the global population.[1] Stretching from the Mediterranean to the Cape of Good Hope, it encompasses diverse cultures, economies, and religions, including Islam, Christianity, and traditional African faiths.
The Catholic Church, with approximately 230 million adherents (about 16% of Africa’s population), is a significant faith, particularly in countries like:
Introduced in the 2nd century AD, Catholicism has shaped regional cultures through saints, shrines, and missionary work, despite challenges from secularism and interreligious tensions.
Countries
| country name | population | catholic population | catholic percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31,300,000 | 7,200,000 | 23.0 | |
| Algeria | 46,000,000 | 5,000 | 0.01 |
| Angola | 37,000,000 | 21,000,000 | 56.4 |
| Benin | 13,000,000 | 3,900,000 | 30.0 |
| Botswana | 2,700,000 | 81,000 | 3.0 |
| Burkina Faso | 23,300,000 | 4,400,000 | 19.0 |
| Burundi | 12,800,000 | 7,700,000 | 60.0 |
| Byzantine Empire | 17,000,000 | 500,000 | 3.0 |
| Cameroon | 31,000,000 | 7,000,000 | 26.0 |
| Cape Verde | 596,000 | 462,000 | 77.0 |
| Central African Republic | 5,800,000 | 1,740,000 | 30.0 |
| Chad | 19,000,000 | 1,900,000 | 10.0 |
| Comoros | 900,000 | 2,000 | 0.2 |
| Dahomey Kingdom | 350,000 | 10,000 | 3.0 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 108,000,000 | 54,000,000 | 50.0 |
| Djibouti | 1,000,000 | 5,000 | 0.5 |
| Egypt | 109,000,000 | 250,000 | 0.23 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 1,700,000 | 1,400,000 | 82.0 |
| Eritrea | 3,700,000 | 148,000 | 4.0 |
| Eswatini | 1,200,000 | 60,000 | 5.0 |
| Ethiopia | 126,500,000 | 800,000 | 0.6 |
| Gabon | 2,400,000 | 1,400,000 | 59.0 |
| Ghana | 34,100,000 | 4,400,000 | 13.0 |
| Guinea | 14,200,000 | 426,000 | 3.0 |
| Guinea-Bissau | 2,200,000 | 220,000 | 10.0 |
| Kenya | 55,100,000 | 13,200,000 | 24.0 |
| Liberia | 5,500,000 | 440,000 | 8.0 |
| Liberia | 5,500,000 | 440,000 | 8.0 |
| Libya | 7,015,842 | 2,000 | 0.03 |
| Madagascar | 30,300,000 | 10,600,000 | 35.0 |
| Malawi | 21,200,000 | 5,500,000 | 26.0 |
| Mali | 23,300,000 | 279,000 | 1.2 |
| Mauritania | 4,900,000 | 4,500 | 0.09 |
| Mauritius | 1,300,000 | 338,000 | 26.0 |
| Morocco | 37,500,000 | 23,000 | 0.06 |
| Mozambique | 34,400,000 | 9,600,000 | 28.0 |
| Namibia | 2,600,000 | 440,000 | 16.9 |
| Niger | 27,200,000 | 20,000 | 0.07 |
| Ottoman Empire | 35,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 3.0 |
| Republic of the Congo | 6,100,000 | 2,000,000 | 33.0 |
| Roman Empire | 70,000,000 | 10,000,000 | 14.0 |
| Rwanda | 14,100,000 | 6,300,000 | 45.0 |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | 228,000 | 160,000 | 70.0 |
| Senegal | 18,400,000 | 920,000 | 5.0 |
| Seychelles | 100,000 | 76,000 | 76.0 |
| Sierra Leone | 8,900,000 | 1,200,000 | 13.0 |
| Somalia | 18,100,000 | 100 | 0.0006 |
| South Africa | 62,100,000 | 3,700,000 | 6.0 |
| South Sudan | 11,500,000 | 5,100,000 | 44.0 |
| Sudan | 49,000,000 | 490,000 | 1.0 |
| Tanzania | 67,400,000 | 21,600,000 | 32.0 |
| The Gambia | 2,800,000 | 84,000 | 3.0 |
| Togo | 9,100,000 | 2,500,000 | 28.0 |
| Tunisia | 11,850,630 | 25,000 | 0.2 |
| Uganda | 49,300,000 | 19,700,000 | 40.0 |
| Zambia | 21,000,000 | 4,200,000 | 20.0 |
| Zimbabwe | 16,700,000 | 2,200,000 | 13.0 |
Geography
Africa covers 30.37 million km², bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Indian Ocean to the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south.[3] Its diverse climates range from Saharan deserts to equatorial rainforests, supporting economies like agriculture in Nigeria and mining in South Africa.
Major cities host significant Catholic communities such as:
Geography facilitates Catholic pilgrimages, with routes connecting sites like the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Côte d'Ivoire and the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo.[4] Coastal and riverine regions often house historic churches, integrating Catholicism into Africa’s varied landscapes.
Catholic history
Catholicism in Africa began in the 2nd century AD, traditionally through early Christian communities in North Africa, and expanded via missionaries like the Augustinians and Jesuits in the 15th century.[5]
- The Church grew in sub-Saharan Africa under colonial rule, becoming prominent in countries like Angola and Uganda, while remaining a minority in Muslim-dominated North Africa.
- Key events include the:
- Establishment of dioceses in Cape Verde (1533) and Luanda (1596)
- Martyrdoms in Uganda during the 19th century
- The 20th century saw rapid growth in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite challenges in post-colonial conflicts.
The Church operates 557 dioceses across Africa, led by national episcopal conferences.[6]
Demographics
Africa’s population exceeds 1.4 billion, with Catholics numbering approximately 230 million (16%), concentrated in:
- Nigeria (30 million, 15% of its population)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (45 million, 50%)
- Uganda (15 million, 45%)[7]
Ethnic diversity includes Yoruba, Bantu, and Luo, with Catholicism often stronger among rural and younger populations. In countries like Algeria and Morocco, Catholics are a small minority (less than 1%) amid Muslim majorities. Secularization and religious conflicts pose challenges, but Catholic communities remain vibrant in education and charity.[8]
Introduction of Catholicism
Catholicism was introduced to Africa in the 2nd century AD, through early Christian communities in North Africa, particularly in Carthage, led by figures like Saint Augustine of Hippo.[9]
- Missionaries, including the Portuguese in the 15th century, spread the faith to sub-Saharan Africa, establishing missions in Angola and Mozambique.
- The Jesuits and Augustinians adapted to local cultures, particularly in Ethiopia.
- By the 19th century, Catholicism had rooted in Uganda and Nigeria, despite persecution in regions like Sudan.[10]
Key historical events
Key Catholic events in Africa include the establishment of the:
- Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde in 1533, a hub for missionary activity
- Archdiocese of Luanda in 1596, solidifying Portuguese influence.[11]
The martyrdom of the Uganda Martyrs in 1886 marked persecution in Uganda, while the 19th-century missionary work in Nigeria, led by the Holy Ghost Fathers, spurred growth.
The 1994 papal visit by Pope John Paul II to Uganda boosted Catholic visibility.
Recent events include the 2019 papal visit to Mozambique and ongoing Church growth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo despite conflicts.[12]
Catholicism Status
Catholicism is a significant religion in Africa (16%), dominant in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, while a minority in North African countries like Egypt and Algeria.[13] In conflict zones like South Sudan, the Church faces violence, while in Muslim-majority regions, it navigates interreligious tensions. Despite this, Catholicism holds cultural influence through education and charity, with organizations like Caritas active across the continent. Legal status varies, from state recognition in Angola to restrictions in Eritrea.[14]
Notable Catholic sites
Pilgrimage sites
Major pilgrimage sites include the:
- Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire, a major Marian shrine
- Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo, Uganda, honoring the 1886 martyrs[15]
- Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers, Algeria, a focal point for North African Catholics
- In Nigeria, the Aokpe Shrine attracts pilgrims for its Marian apparitions
Historical Churches
Historical churches include the:
- Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family in Nairobi, Kenya, established in 1904, a symbol of Kenyan Catholicism[16]
- Sé Cathedral in Angola, built in 1491, one of the oldest in sub-Saharan Africa
- Notre-Dame du Congo Cathedral in Kinshasa, built in 1947, a landmark in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Saints and blesseds
Patron saints
Africa’s patron saints include:
- Saint Augustine of Hippo, patron of North Africa, particularly Algeria
- Saint Charles Lwanga, patron of Uganda, canonized in 1964[17]
- Saint Josephine Bakhita, patron of Sudan, canonized in 2000
Associated saints and blesseds
Associated figures include:
- Saint Monica, mother of Augustine, who lived in North Africa
- Blessed Isidore Bakanja, a Congolese martyr, beatified in 1994[18]
- Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, a Nigerian priest, beatified in 1998
- The 22 Uganda Martyrs, canonized in 1964
They highlight Africa’s diverse Catholic heritage. Their contributions range from missionary work to martyrdom.
See Also
- Catholic Church
- List of saints from Africa
- Asia
- North America
- South America
- Antarctica
- Europe
- Australia and Oceania
References
- ↑ "Africa". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/continents/africa/.
- ↑ "Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population". Pew Research Center. 2011-12-19. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/.
- ↑ "Africa". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/continents/africa/.
- ↑ "Catholic Pilgrimage Sites in Africa". Catholic News Agency. 2022-08-15. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252345/african-pilgrimage-sites.
- ↑ Herbermann, Charles G. (1913). The Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/.
- ↑ "Catholic Dioceses in Africa". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/continent/af.htm.
- ↑ "Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population". Pew Research Center. 2011-12-19. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/.
- ↑ "Catholic Church in Africa". Catholics & Cultures. 2023-06-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/africa.
- ↑ Herbermann, Charles G. (1913). The Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/.
- ↑ "History of the Catholic Church in Africa". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-01-10. http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/scaf.html.
- ↑ "Catholic Dioceses in Africa". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/continent/af.htm.
- ↑ "Vatican News: Africa". Vatican News. 2024-11-15. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/africa.html.
- ↑ "Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population". Pew Research Center. 2011-12-19. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/.
- ↑ "Catholic Church in Africa". Catholics & Cultures. 2023-06-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/africa.
- ↑ "Catholic Pilgrimage Sites in Africa". Catholic News Agency. 2022-08-15. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252345/african-pilgrimage-sites.
- ↑ "Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family". Wikipedia. 2024-10-20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_Basilica_of_the_Holy_Family,_Nairobi.
- ↑ "List of Saints from Africa". Wikipedia. 2024-09-10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_saints_from_Africa.
- ↑ "List of Saints from Africa". Wikipedia. 2024-09-10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_saints_from_Africa.
External links
- "Africa". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/continents/africa/.
- "Catholic Dioceses in Africa". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/continent/af.htm.
- "Catholic Church in Africa". Catholics & Cultures. 2023-06-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/africa.