Catholic Church in Jamaica


Catholic Church in Jamaica
Our Lady of Fatima church at Ocho Rios
TypeNational polity
ClassificationCatholic
OrientationLatin
ScriptureBible
TheologyCatholic theology
GovernanceAEC
PopeFrancis
Apostolic NuncioSantiago de Wit Guzmán
ArchbishopKenneth Richards
RegionJamaica
Language
HeadquartersKingston
OriginEarly 16th century
Members50,000 (2008)[1]

The Catholic Church in Jamaica is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome, and further organized under the Antilles Episcopal Conference.

There are about 50,000 (2%) Catholics in Jamaica,[1] which is divided into three dioceses, including one archdiocese:

Additionally, the Ecclesiastical province of Kingston in Jamaica also includes the Diocese of Belize City–Belmopan and a Mission sui iuris in the Cayman Islands.

Christianity and Roman Catholicism were first brought to Jamaica by Spanish missionaries and settlers in the early 16th century. Since then, the Catholic Church has had a continuous presence in the island from the 19th century onwards. While small in number, Catholics have occupied noteworthy positions in Jamaican society, and have founded many educational institutions in the country.

The Missionaries of the Poor monastic order originated in Kingston, Jamaica.

  1. ^ a b International Religious Freedom Report 2008: Jamaica. U.S. Department of State (2008) Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.