Diocese of Makeni

Dioecesis Makenensis

Bishop(s)

Bob John Hassan Koroma, Bishop
Natale Paganelli, S.X., Apostolic Administrator Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Elevated: 24 February 1962
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Freetown
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Sierra Leone
Square Kilometers: 35,936 (13,880 Square Miles)
Description: Northern Province
Mailing Address: Bishop's House, P.O. Box 1, Teko Rd., Makeni, Sierra Leone
Telephone: (076)864-253

Historical Details

Prefecture Apostolic of Makeni
- Latin Name: Makenensis
- Erected: 3 April 1952
- Country: Sierra Leone

Past and Present Ordinaries

Augusto Fermo Azzolini, S.X. † (19 Jul 1952 Appointed - 17 Nov 1986 Retired)
George (Giorgio) Biguzzi, S.X. † (17 Nov 1986 Appointed - 7 Jan 2012 Retired)
Henry Aruna (7 Jan 2012 Appointed - 18 Jul 2015 Appointed, Auxiliary Bishop of Kenema)
Bob John Hassan Koroma (11 Feb 2023 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Makeni
3 April 1952	Erected	Diocese of Freetown and Bo (Northern civil province)	Prefecture Apostolic of Makeni (erected)
Diocese of Makeni
24 February 1962	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Makeni	Diocese of Makeni
11 November 1970	Metropolitan Changed		Diocese of Makeni (from Immediately Subject)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

Diocese of Makeni

1970 5,724 997,566 .6% 1 30 31 184 43 19 ap1971

1980 9,880 1,075,000 .9% 3 35 38 260 42 22 12 ap1981

1990 18,302 1,750,000 1.0% 6 40 46 397 57 46 15 ap1991

1997 32,500 1,905,000 1.7% 12 40 52 625 59 6 16 ap2000

2000 33,760 1,500,000 2.3% 5 5 10 3,376 9 18 ap2001

2001 32,000 1,900,000 1.7% 6 8 14 2,285 14 16 ap2003

2003 35,500 1,850,000 1.9% 16 25 41 865 30 8 19 ap2004

2004 38,000 1,800,000 2.1% 14 30 44 863 36 13 19 ap2005

2013 48,850 1,932,000 2.5% 28 33 61 800 64 40 25 ap2014

2016 52,060 1,881,000 2.8% 30 31 61 853 73 38 25 ap2017

2019 100,000 2,508,201 4.0% 37 29 66 1,515 72 53 26 ap2020

2021 105,165 2,638,150 4.0% 42 30 72 1,460 85 59 26 ap2022

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Diocese of Makeni
1970	5,724	997,566	.6%	1	30	31	184	43	19		ap1971
1980	9,880	1,075,000	.9%	3	35	38	260	42	22	12	ap1981
1990	18,302	1,750,000	1.0%	6	40	46	397	57	46	15	ap1991
1997	32,500	1,905,000	1.7%	12	40	52	625	59	6	16	ap2000
2000	33,760	1,500,000	2.3%	5	5	10	3,376	9		18	ap2001
2001	32,000	1,900,000	1.7%	6	8	14	2,285	14		16	ap2003
2003	35,500	1,850,000	1.9%	16	25	41	865	30	8	19	ap2004
2004	38,000	1,800,000	2.1%	14	30	44	863	36	13	19	ap2005
2013	48,850	1,932,000	2.5%	28	33	61	800	64	40	25	ap2014
2016	52,060	1,881,000	2.8%	30	31	61	853	73	38	25	ap2017
2019	100,000	2,508,201	4.0%	37	29	66	1,515	72	53	26	ap2020
2021	105,165	2,638,150	4.0%	42	30	72	1,460	85	59	26	ap2022

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Henry Aruna (Bishop: 7 Jan 2012 to 18 Jul 2015)
Bob John Hassan Koroma (Priest: 25 Apr 1999; Bishop: 11 Feb 2023 - )
Natale Paganelli, S.X. (Apostolic Administrator: 11 Apr 2012 to 14 May 2023)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Augusto Fermo Azzolini, S.X. † (Prefect: 19 Jul 1952; Bishop: 24 Feb 1962 to 17 Nov 1986)
George (Giorgio) Biguzzi, S.X. † (Bishop: 17 Nov 1986 to 7 Jan 2012)

Source(s)

Prefecture Apostolic of Makeni
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 44, Page 610, and Page 611
Diocese of Makeni
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 55, Page 24, and Page 25
- Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Volume 63, Page 260, and Page 261

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