Vicariate Apostolic of Archipelago of the Comores

Vicariatus Apostolicus Insularum Comorensium

Bishop(s)

Charles Mahuza Yava, S.D.S., Vicar Apostolic
Jan Geerits, S.D.S., Apostolic Administrator Emeritus
Jan Szpilka, S.D.S., Apostolic Administrator Emeritus

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Vicariate Apostolic
Elevated: 1 May 2010
Vicariate
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Comoros
Square Kilometers: 2,564 (990 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: B.P. 46, Moroni, Comores
Telephone: 773.05.03
Fax: (same)

Historical Details

Apostolic Administration of Comores
- Latin Name: Insularum Comorensium
- Erected: 5 June 1975
- Administration
- Country: Comoros

Past and Present Ordinaries

Léon-Adolphe Messmer, O.F.M. Cap. † (5 Jun 1975 Appointed - 2 May 1980 Retired)
Jean Berchmans Eugène Jung, O.F.M. Cap. † (2 May 1980 Appointed - 1983 Died)
Jan Szpilka, S.D.S. (1 Apr 1998 Appointed - 6 Jun 2006 Resigned)
Jan Geerits, S.D.S. (6 Jun 2006 Appointed - 1 May 2010 Resigned)
Charles Mahuza Yava, S.D.S. (1 May 2010 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Apostolic Administration of Comores
5 June 1975	Erected	Diocese of Ambanja	Apostolic Administration of Comores (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Archipelago of the Comores
1 May 2010	Elevated	Apostolic Administration of Comores	Vicariate Apostolic of Archipelago of the Comores

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

Apostolic Administration of Comores

1980 1,300 330,000 .4% 1 3 4 325 3 3 ap1981

1990 2,800 480,000 .6% 2 2 1,400 2 7 2 ap1991

1999 2,000 669,500 .3% 3 3 666 4 4 2 ap2000

2000 2,000 669,500 .3% 3 3 666 3 4 2 ap2001

2001 2,000 687,758 .3% 1 3 4 500 3 4 2 ap2002

2002 2,073 722,145 .3% 1 3 4 518 4 4 2 ap2003

2003 2,075 725,395 .3% 1 2 3 691 3 4 2 ap2004

2004 4,300 907,000 .5% 1 3 4 1,075 4 4 2 ap2005

Vicariate Apostolic of Archipelago of the Comores

2010 6,000 800,000 .8% 1 5 6 1,000 7 12 3 ap2011

2014 7,761 1,081,993 .7% 7 7 1,108 7 11 3 ap2015

2017 7,970 1,153,960 .7% 7 7 1,138 7 11 5 ap2018

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Apostolic Administration of Comores
1980	1,300	330,000	.4%	1	3	4	325	3	3		ap1981
1990	2,800	480,000	.6%		2	2	1,400	2	7	2	ap1991
1999	2,000	669,500	.3%		3	3	666	4	4	2	ap2000
2000	2,000	669,500	.3%		3	3	666	3	4	2	ap2001
2001	2,000	687,758	.3%	1	3	4	500	3	4	2	ap2002
2002	2,073	722,145	.3%	1	3	4	518	4	4	2	ap2003
2003	2,075	725,395	.3%	1	2	3	691	3	4	2	ap2004
2004	4,300	907,000	.5%	1	3	4	1,075	4	4	2	ap2005
Vicariate Apostolic of Archipelago of the Comores
2010	6,000	800,000	.8%	1	5	6	1,000	7	12	3	ap2011
2014	7,761	1,081,993	.7%		7	7	1,108	7	11	3	ap2015
2017	7,970	1,153,960	.7%		7	7	1,138	7	11	5	ap2018

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

Jan Geerits, S.D.S. (Apostolic Administrator: 6 Jun 2006 to 1 May 2010)
Charles Mahuza Yava, S.D.S. (Vicar Apostolic: 1 May 2010)
Jan Szpilka, S.D.S. (Apostolic Administrator: 1 Apr 1998 to 6 Jun 2006)

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Jean Berchmans Eugène Jung, O.F.M. Cap. † (Apostolic Administrator: 2 May 1980 to 1983)
Léon-Adolphe Messmer, O.F.M. Cap. † (Apostolic Administrator: 5 Jun 1975 to 2 May 1980)

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