Catholic Church in Jamaica
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.
Catholic Church in Jamaica | |
|---|---|
Our Lady of Fatima church at Ocho Rios | |
| Type | National polity |
| Classification | Catholic |
| Orientation | Latin |
| Scripture | Bible |
| Theology | Catholic theology |
| Governance | AEC |
| Pope | Francis |
| Apostolic Nuncio | Santiago de Wit Guzmán |
| Archbishop | Kenneth Richards |
| Region | Jamaica |
| Language | |
| Headquarters | Kingston |
| Origin | Early 16th century |
| Members | 50,000 (2008) |
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There are about 50,000 (2%) Catholics in Jamaica, which is divided into three dioceses, including one archdiocese:
- Archdiocese of Kingston
- Diocese of Mandeville
- Diocese of Montego Bay
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.