Sudan

Stored: Sudan

Country: Sudan
Historic:
Existence:	–
Continent:	Africa
Region:	Northeast Africa
Historical Region:
Area:	1861484 km²
Population:	49000000
Catholic Population:	490000
Catholic Percentage:	1%
Catholicism Status:	Small minority religion, Islamic state
Official Languages:	Arabic, English
Capital:	Khartoum
Catholicism Introduced:	19th century
Ecclesiastical Provinces:	1
Dioceses:	2
Patron Saints:	Saint Josephine Bakhita
Predecessor States:
Successor States:

Sudan is a Northeast African nation, covering approximately 1,861,484 km² with a population of about 49 million as of 2025. Its official languages are Arabic and English, and its economy relies on oil, agriculture, and gold. The Catholic Church, with approximately 490,000 adherents (1% of the population), is a small minority religion, ranking third after Islam (90%) and traditional beliefs (5%), introduced in the 19th century by European missionaries. Catholicism shapes Sudan’s minority Christian culture through education, charity, and the patronage of Saint Josephine Bakhita.

The Church, with one ecclesiastical province and two dioceses, has a limited presence, mainly in urban areas like Khartoum, and faces significant challenges from Sudan’s Islamic state policies, ongoing conflict, and persecution of Christians. Sites like the Cathedral of Saint Matthew in Khartoum serve as spiritual hubs for the small Catholic community.

Saints

Birthplace

Parameter received: Sudan

Sudan
SaintName SaintBirthPlace Saint Josephine Bakhita Olgossa, Darfur, Sudan

Death place

Parameter received: Sudan

Sudan
No saints found with death place matching Sudan.

Notable locations

Parameter received: Sudan

Sudan
No saints found with Notable Address 1 matching Sudan.

Parameter received: Sudan

Sudan
No saints found with Notable Address 2 matching Sudan.

Parameter received: Sudan

Sudan
No saints found with Notable Address 3 matching Sudan.

Parameter received: Sudan

Sudan
No saints found with Notable Address 4 matching Sudan.

Parameter received: Sudan

Sudan
No saints found with Notable Address 5 matching Sudan.

Geography

Sudan is located in Northeast Africa, bordered by Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the Red Sea. Its 1,861,484 km² includes the Sahara Desert, Nile River valley, and savannas, with a semi-arid to tropical climate. Major cities like Khartoum (the capital), Omdurman, and Port Sudan host small Catholic communities, with mission stations in southern and western regions. The vast terrain and ongoing conflict severely limit Church outreach.

History

Sudan’s history includes ancient Nubian kingdoms, Islamic sultanates, Anglo-Egyptian rule (1899–1956), and independence in 1956, followed by civil wars and the 2011 secession of South Sudan. Catholicism was introduced in the 19th century by Italian Comboni Missionaries, who established missions in Khartoum and southern regions in the 1840s. The Church grew modestly under colonial rule, focusing on education and healthcare, but has faced restrictions and persecution since Sudan’s adoption of Islamic law in 1983, particularly during the ongoing civil war (2023–present).

Predecessor states

Sudan’s territory was historically part of the Nubian kingdoms (e.g., Nobatia, Makuria) and the Funj Sultanate before colonial rule. The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, a condominium from 1899 to 1956, directly preceded independence. Catholic missions, led by Comboni Missionaries, evangelized southern ethnic groups like the Dinka and Nuer, establishing schools despite Islamic dominance.

Successor states

Sudan’s independence in 1956 was followed by the secession of South Sudan in 2011, which became its primary successor state, inheriting most of Sudan’s Christian population. Sudan itself remains a unified nation despite ongoing conflicts, with the Catholic Church advocating for peace and minority rights in an Islamic state.

Demographics

Sudan’s 49 million people include 1% Catholics (490,000), 90% Muslims, 5% traditional beliefs, and 4% other Christians. Ethnic groups are primarily Arab (70%), Fur (7%), and Beja (6%). Catholicism is concentrated in urban Khartoum and among southern and Nuba Mountains communities, with rural areas showing syncretism with traditional practices.

Catholic church

The Catholic Church in Sudan comprises one ecclesiastical province, two dioceses, and about 50 parishes, led by the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Leaders like Archbishop Michael Didi Adgum Mangoria of Khartoum oversee limited education and humanitarian efforts. The Church operates a few schools and clinics, struggling against government restrictions and conflict.

Structure

The Church’s single province aligns with Sudan’s regions.

• Archdiocese of Khartoum (Khartoum, North): Suffragan diocese is Diocese of El Obeid (El Obeid, West).

Introduction of Catholicism

Catholicism was introduced in the 19th century by Italian Comboni Missionaries, who established missions in Khartoum in 1842. The Vicariate Apostolic of Central Africa, created in 1846, formalized the Church’s presence, targeting southern ethnic groups.

Key historical events

The 1846 establishment of the Vicariate Apostolic of Central Africa marked the Church’s formal presence. The Church’s humanitarian efforts during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005) strengthened its role among southern communities. The 1993 visit of Pope John Paul II to Khartoum highlighted Catholic resilience.

Catholicism status

Catholicism, with 1% adherence, is a small minority religion in an Islamic state under the 2019 transitional Constitution, which retains Sharia influences. The Church faces restrictions, including church demolitions and visa denials for clergy, exacerbated by the 2023–present civil war.

Cultural influence

Festivals and traditions

Catholics celebrate feasts like Saint Josephine Bakhita (February 8) with small processions in Khartoum. Local traditions blend Catholic and Nuba rituals in southern missions.

Education and charity

The Church operates a few schools and clinics, primarily in Khartoum and El Obeid, serving displaced communities. Caritas Sudan addresses famine and displacement, aligning with Catholic Social Teaching.

Art and architecture

Catholic heritage is evident in churches like Cathedral of Saint Matthew in Khartoum, built in 1930. Mission churches in El Obeid feature modest designs suited to local conditions.

Notable Catholic sites

Pilgrimage sites

Cathedral of Saint Matthew in Khartoum is a key pilgrimage site for Catholics. All Saints Church in El Obeid serves western devotees.

Historical churches

Cathedral of Saint Matthew in Khartoum, built in 1930, is a colonial-era landmark. Saint Mary’s Church in Omdurman, established in 1920, serves urban Catholics.

Saints and blesseds

Patron saints

Saint Josephine Bakhita, canonized in 2000 and celebrated on February 8, is Sudan’s patroness.

Associated saints and blesseds

Saint Josephine Bakhita (canonized 2000, former slave from Darfur) is Sudan’s only canonized saint. Early Comboni Missionaries like Blessed Daniel Comboni (beatified 1996) are noted for mission work.

Challenges to Catholicism

The Church faces severe challenges from Sudan’s Islamic state policies, including church closures, clergy expulsions, and Christian persecution, intensified by the 2023–present civil war. Limited resources and insecurity hinder evangelization, countered by humanitarian aid and interfaith dialogue.

Social and political influence

The Church influences education, healthcare, and peacebuilding, guided by Catholic Social Teaching. It advocates for religious freedom and supports displaced communities but has limited political influence due to Sudan’s Islamic framework.

External links

• "Sudan". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sudan/. 
• "Catholic Dioceses in Sudan". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/SD.htm. 
• "Catholicism in Sudan". Catholics & Cultures. 2020-06-15. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/sudan.