The History of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Freetown

The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Freetown is a Particular Church withinthe ecclesiastical circumscription of the Catholic Church located in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, covering an area of 4,677 square kilometers (or 1,806 square miles).

The history of the Vicariate Apostolic of Sierra Leone began on April 13, 1858, when it was originally erected. On October 18, 1897, it experienced a loss of territory as it became part of the Vicariate Apostolic of Senegambia, alongside the creation of the Prefecture Apostolic of Guinea Francese.

On April 18, 1903, further territorial changes ensued, resulting in the establishment of the Prefecture Apostolic of Liberia, which also drew from the Vicariate Apostolic of Sierra Leone.

Significant developments occurred on April 18, 1950, when the Vicariate was elevated to the status of the Diocese of Freetown and Bo. However, on April 3, 1952, the Diocese experienced a loss of territory, specifically in the Northern civil province, leading to the establishment of the Prefecture Apostolic of Makeni.

The changes continued on November 11, 1970, when the Eastern Province territory was also lost, resulting in the creation of the Diocese of Kenema. That same day, the Diocese of Freetown and Bo was elevated to the Archdiocese of Freetown and Bowhich now serves as the Metropolitan See for the region.

The following past and present Ordinaries played leadership roles in this ecclesiastical circumscription: Melchior-Marie-Joseph de Marion-Brésillac, M.E.P., was appointed on April 13, 1858, but, unfortunately, he passed away just over a year later June 25, 1859. After him, John Joseph O’Gorman, C.S.Sp., took over and served from September 14, 1903, until his resignation on September 23, 1932. Bartholomew Stanislaus Wilson, C.S.Sp., succeeded him on May 23, 1933, but stepped down on April 16, 1936. Next, Ambrose Kelly, C.S.Sp., was appointed on May 18, 1937, remaining in his position until his death on February 12, 1952. Archbishop Thomas Joseph Brosnahan, C.S.Sp., then began his term on December 11, 1952, and served until he retired on September 4, 1980. Following him, Archbishop Joseph Henry Ganda took on the role, having been appointed on September 4, 1980, and he continued until his retirement on March 22, 2007. Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles, who was appointed on 15^th March 2008, succeeded him until now.

On January 15, 2011, a significant transformation took place as the Archdiocese of Freetown and Bo changed, resulting in a loss of territory encompassing Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba, and Pujehun, leading to the establishment of the new Catholic Diocese of Bo. This milestone also marked the renaming of the Archdiocese of Freetown and Bo to simply the Archdiocese of Freetown, reflecting its new identity.

Its mailing address is Santanno House, P.O. Box 98, located at 10 Howe Street in Freetown, where communications can also be directed. For any inquiries, the Archdiocese can be reached by telephone at (076)771.165, (022) 224.590, or by fax at 224.075.

List of all the deaneries

• Waterloo deanery
• Kissy deanery
• Central deanery
• Wilberforce deanery
• Juba deanery

Lists of Parishes

1. Sacred Heart Cathedral-Central business district
2. St Anthony’s parish-Brookfields
3. St Luke parish – Wilberforce
4. St Edwards parish- Kingtom
5. St Augustine’s parish-Dwarzak Farm
6. St Peter the Rock Parish-Calaba Town
7. St Martin’s Parish-Kissy
8. St George’s Parish-Murray Town
9. Holy Cross Parish-Kissy
10. Mary Immaculate Conception Parish-Waterloo
11. Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish-Juba

List of quasi-parishes

1. St Paul’s Quasi Parish-Regent
2. St John Paul II Quasi Parish-Grafton
3. St Mulumba Quasi Parish-Hastings
4. St Elizabeth/Daniel Quasi Parish- Aberdeen
5. Blessed Michael Tansi Quasi Parish-Goderich
6. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Quasi Parish-Lakka

List of chaplaincies

1. St Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone
2. Holy Spirit Chaplaincy, Newman Center, Milton Margai University of Sierra Leone

List of Catholic Communities

1. St John Paul XXIII-Sussex
2. Divine Mercy Catholic Community-Mambo
3. St John XXIII Catholic Community-Rokel
4. St Columba Catholic Community-Kaningo
5. St Theresa Catholic Community-Campbell Town
6. St Isidore BakanjaCatholic Community- Macdonald
7. St Josephine BahkitaCatholic Community- Benguema Barrack
8. St Peter the Fisherman- Tombo

Mission Territories

1. Christ the King Catholic Community-Kissy Town, waterloo
2. Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Community- Newton
3. Good SheperdCatholic Community- Kwama

Vision and mission statement

VISION

MISSION