Apostolic Vicariate of the Comoros Archipelago
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The Apostolic Vicariate of the Comoros Archipelago is a tiny Latin apostolic vicariate (missionary pre-diocesan jurisdiction) of the Roman Catholic Church in the Indian Ocean between insular Madagascar and continental Africa, comprising the Comoros and Mayotte, with a church in each.
The see is at Moroni, Comoros on Grande Comore island. It is exempt, i.e. directly subject to the Holy See, not part of any ecclesiastical province.
History[]
On 5 June 1975, the Holy See established an Apostolic Administration of Comoros on the present territory, which was split from the Diocese of Ambanja (on Madagascar), whose former last apostolic vicar and then first bishop was appointed to the new missionary post.
On 1 May 2010, it was promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of the Comoros.
Incumbent Ordinaries[]
To date, all incumbents have been missionary members of three Latin congregations:
- Apostolic Administrators of Comoros
- Léon-Adolphe Messmer, Capuchins (O.F.M. Cap.) (1975.06.05 – 1980.05.02), formerly bishop of Ambanja
- Friar Jean Berchmans Eugène Jung, O.F.M. Cap. (1980.05.02 – 1983)
- Pro-administrator Friar Jean Péault, Paris Foreign Missions Society (M.E.P.) (1988–1991; see below)[clarification needed]
- Pro-administrator Friar Gabriel Franco Nicolai, O.F.M. Cap. (1991–1997)
- Pro-administrator Friar Jean Péault, M.E.P. (see above; 1988–1991)
- Father Jan Szpilka, Salvatorians (S.D.S.) (1998.04.01 – 2006.06.06)
- Father Jan Geerits, S.D.S. (2006.06.06 – 2010.05.01)
- Apostolic Vicars of Comoros
- Charles Mahuza Yava, S.D.S. Titular Bishop of Apisa Maius (2010.05.01 – ...)
References[]
External links[]
- Christian organizations established in 1975
- Apostolic vicariates
- Roman Catholic dioceses in Africa
- Catholic Church in the Comoros
- Catholic Church in Mayotte
- Mamoudzou