Archdiocese of Parakou

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Bishop(s) Fidèle Agbatchi, Archbishop Suffragan Dioceses Djougou Kandi Natitingou N'Dali

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Archdiocese Elevated: 16 October 1997 Metropolitan See Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Benin Square Kilometers: 9,259 (3,576 Square Miles) Mailing Address: B.P. 75, Parakou, Benin Telephone: 61.02.54 Fax: 61.01.09

Historical Details

• Prefecture Apostolic of Parakou
  • Latin Name: Parakuensis
  • Erected: 13 May 1948
  • Country: Benin

• Diocese of Parakou
  • Latin Name: Parakuensis
  • Elevated: 10 February 1964
  • Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Cotonou
  • Country: Benin

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• François Faroud, S.M.A. † (21 May 1948 Appointed - 1956 Resigned)
• Robert Chopard-Lallier, S.M.A. † (4 Jan 1957 Appointed - 1962 Died)
• André van den Bronk, S.M.A. † (13 Feb 1962 Appointed - 29 Sep 1975 Resigned)
• Nestor Assogba (10 Apr 1976 Appointed - 29 Oct 1999 Appointed, Archbishop of Cotonou)
• Fidèle Agbatchi (14 Apr 2000 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Parakou
13 May 1948	Erected	Prefecture Apostolic of Niamey	Prefecture Apostolic of Parakou (erected)
10 February 1964	Territory Lost	Prefecture Apostolic of Parakou	Diocese of Natitingou (erected)
Diocese of Parakou
10 February 1964	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Parakou	Diocese of Parakou
19 December 1994	Territory Lost	Diocese of Parakou	Diocese of Kandi (erected)
Archdiocese of Parakou
16 October 1997	Elevated	Diocese of Parakou	Archdiocese of Parakou
22 December 1999	Territory Lost	Archdiocese of Parakou	Diocese of N'Dali (erected)

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Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Prefecture Apostolic of Parakou
1950	3,859	451,060	.9%	17		17	227			14	10	ap1951
Diocese of Parakou
1970	10,454	317,000	3.3%	1	19	20	522		21	30		ap1971
1980	18,840	483,000	3.9%	6	14	20	942		18	24	16	ap1981
1990	42,686	621,630	6.9%	17	28	45	948		35	85	17	ap1991
Archdiocese of Parakou
1999	62,577	637,225	9.8%	21	26	47	1,331		50	116	15	ap2000
2000	59,233	227,490	26.0%	17	14	31	1,910		30	85	8	ap2001
2001	62,207	308,526	20.2%	19	17	36	1,727		42	63	8	ap2004
2004	68,477	334,288	20.5%	20	20	40	1,711		42	117	7	ap2005

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

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Affiliated Bishops

• Fidèle Agbatchi (Archbishop: 14 Apr 2000 - )
• Nestor Assogba (Bishop: 10 Apr 1976; Archbishop: 16 Oct 1997 to 29 Oct 1999)
• Robert Chopard-Lallier, S.M.A. † (Prefect: 4 Jan 1957 to 1962)
• François Faroud, S.M.A. † (Prefect: 21 May 1948 to 1956)
• André van den Bronk, S.M.A. † (Prefect: 13 Feb 1962; Bishop: 10 Feb 1964 to 29 Sep 1975)