AFRICA/NIGER - The Pope creates Ecclesiastical Province of Niamey and appoints first Metropolitan Archbishop

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 25 June 2007 elevated the diocese of Niamey (Niger) to the rank of Metropolitan See, with the diocese of Maradi as its only suffragan. The Holy Father appointed the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Niamey, Michel Cartatéguy, S.M.A., until now bishop of the same diocese.
Statistics - Niger, considered the world's poorest country, has an area of 1,287,000sq km., and a population of 12,300,000, of whom 21,000 are Catholics (0,17%). Evangelisation was begun by the Society for African Missions (S.M.A.) in 1931. Niamey was made an Apostolic Prefecture in 1942 and elevated as a diocese in 1961. The pastoral ministry is provided by Redemptorist Fathers and Fathers of the Society for African Missions (S.M.A.). There are also communities of the Little Brothers of Jesus of Charles de Foucauld, the Brothers of Christian Schools and 7 Institutes of woman religious. Niger has two dioceses: Niamey (since 1961) and Maradi (since 2001). There are 21 parishes, 11 diocesan priests, 10 Fidei Donum 10, (all from Burkina Faso), 18 Brothers, 85 women Religious and there are 144 Catechists and 8 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 25/6/2007; Righe 13; Parole 196)