The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception ( es, Basílica de la Inmaculada Concepción de Mongomo or Basilica de Mongomo) is a
Roman Catholic basilica, built in the province of Mongomo in the African country of
Equatorial Guinea. The temple is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a "cathedral" for its large size, however it is not based on any bishopric, so it does not enjoy that status. The Basilica of Mongomo is currently the largest religious building in Central Africa and the second largest Catholic church throughout Africa, after the
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in
Ivory Coast.
History
The basilica was begun in 2006, funded by the Equatorial Guinean state, and built by the Italian company Makinen Venture. Another Italian company, Ruffini Decorazioni, has been responsible for the interiors and finishes. The basilica has a capacity to accommodate one thousand faithful, and as the name suggests is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, patroness of Equatorial Guinea. Inside the basilica a replica of the ''Esperanza Macarena'' venerates, which was brought from
Seville
Seville (; es, Sevilla, ) is the capital and largest city of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville. It is situated on the lower reaches of the River Guadalquivir, in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula ...
,
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
.
The basilica was officially consecrated on December 7, 2011 by Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, on behalf of
Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI ( la, Benedictus XVI; it, Benedetto XVI; german: link=no, Benedikt XVI.; born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, , on 16 April 1927) is a retired prelate of the Catholic church who served as the head of the Church and the soverei ...
. Cardinal Arinze accompanied the Apostolic Nuncio to Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and Gabon, Piero Pioppo, several bishops and more than two hundred priests. During the ceremony, reading the decree that the Vatican gave this church the dignity of minor basilica was given.
See also
*
Roman Catholicism in Equatorial Guinea
The Catholic Church in Equatorial Guinea is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome.
Equatorial Guinea has one of the highest proportions of Catholics in Africa, a legacy of its status as a fo ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Mongomo
Roman Catholic churches in Equatorial Guinea
Mongomo
Roman Catholic churches completed in 2011
Basilica churches in Africa
New Classical architecture