The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception () is a Roman Catholic basilica, built in the province of Mongomo in the African country of

Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, is a country on the west coast of Central Africa. It has an area of . Formerly the colony of Spanish Guinea, its post-independence name refers to its location both near the Equ ...

. 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 Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire and officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital city of Yamoussoukro is located in the centre of the country, while its largest List of ci ...

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 ( ; , ) is the capital and largest city of the Spain, Spanish autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville. It is situated on the lower reaches of the Guadalquivir, River Guadalquivir, ...

Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...

. 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 BenedictXVI (born Joseph Alois Ratzinger; 16 April 1927 – 31 December 2022) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013. Benedict's election as p ...

. 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.

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 in Spain

History

See also

References