Diocese of

Sarh

Chad

Continent: Eastern and Central Africa

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Diocese Diocese

Name: Sarh / Sarhen(sis) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: N’Djaména

Neighbouring Dioceses: Koumra (←), Laï (↖), Mongo (↑), Kaga-Bandoro (↘), Bossangoa (↓)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (Universal) 📅

History

1961.12.22: Established as Diocese of Fort-Archambault / Arcis Archambault (Latin) (from Diocese of Fort-Lamy and became suffragan of Fort-Lamy)
1972.08.22: Renamed as Diocese of Sarh / Sarhen(sis) (Latin)
2001.12.01: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Mongo
2023.08.12: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Koumra

Papal Visits

Pope John Paul II (1990.01)

Present Prelates

Bishop (2026.07.16 – ...):

Bishop-elect Jean Miguina, O.F.M. Cap. (47)

Ordinaries

Bishops of Sarh (Roman Rite)

Bishop-elect Jean Miguina, O.F.M. Cap. (47)
(2026.07.16 – ...)

Bishop of Sarh (Chad)

Born:	1978.09.12 (Laï, Chad)
Ordained Priest:	2009.11.21

Bishop of Sarh (Chad) (2026.07.16 – ...)

Bishop Miguel Ángel Sebastián Martínez, M.C.C.J. (75)
(2018.10.10 – 2026.07.16)

Bishop emeritus of Sarh (Chad)

Born:	1950.09.28 (Zaragoza, Spain)
Ordained Priest:	1975.06.07
Consecrated Bishop:	1999.02.14

Bishop of Laï (Chad) (1998.11.28 – 2018.10.10)

Apostolic Administrator of Doba (Chad) (2014.01.30 – 2016.12.10)

Bishop of Sarh (Chad) (2018.10.10 – 2026.07.16)

Bishop Goetbé Edmond Djitangar (73) (later Archbishop)
(1991.10.11 – 2016.08.20)

Metropolitan Archbishop of N’Djaména (Chad)
President of Episcopal Conference of Chad
President of Association of Episcopal Conferences of the Central Africa Region

Born:	1952.11.02 (Bekoro, Chad)
Ordained Priest:	1978.12.30
Consecrated Bishop:	1992.02.02

Priest of Sarh (Chad) (1978.12.30 – 1991.10.11)

Bishop of Sarh (Chad) (1991.10.11 – 2016.08.20)

President of Episcopal Conference of Chad (2016.05 – ...)

Metropolitan Archbishop of N’Djaména (Chad) (2016.08.20 – ...)

President of Association of Episcopal Conferences of the Central Africa Region (2022.07.24 – ...)

Bishop Matthias N’Gartéri Mayadi (later Archbishop)
(1987.03.07 – 1990.06.11)

Born:	1942 (Bedaya, Chad)
Ordained Priest:	1978.12.30
Consecrated Bishop:	1986.04.12
Died:	2013.11.19 (Colombier-Saugnieu, France † 70)

Priest of Sarh (Chad) (1978.12.30 – 1985.10.28)

Titular Bishop of Thuburnica (1985.10.28 – 1987.03.07)

Auxiliary Bishop of Sarh (Chad) (1985.10.28 – 1987.03.07)

Bishop of Sarh (Chad) (1987.03.07 – 1990.06.11)

Bishop of Moundou (Chad) (1990.06.11 – 2003.07.31)

Metropolitan Archbishop of N’Djaména (Chad) (2003.07.31 – 2013.11.19)

Bishop Henri Véniat, S.J.
(1972.08.22 – 1987.03.07)

Born:	1917.09.23 (Paris, France)
Ordained Priest:	1949.07.31
Consecrated Bishop:	1962.04.01
Died:	1998.03.03 († 80)

Bishop of Fort-Archambault (Chad) (1961.12.22 – 1972.08.22)

Bishop of Sarh (Chad) (1972.08.22 – 1987.03.07)

President of Episcopal Conference of Chad (1981 – 1983)

Bishops of Fort-Archambault (Roman Rite)

Bishop Henri Véniat, S.J.
(1961.12.22 – 1972.08.22)

(see above)

Former Prelates

Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Matthias N’Gartéri Mayadi (later Archbishop) (1985.10.28 – 1987.03.07)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de l’Immaculée Conception, Sarh, Moyen-Chari

Koumra (←), Laï (↖), Mongo (↑), Kaga-Bandoro (↘), Bossangoa (↓)

Statistics (2023)

Area: 41,755 km²

Population: 85,917 Catholics (10.7% of 800,000 total)

Pastoral Centres: 12 parishes

Personnel: 13 priests (diocesan), 66 religious (33 brothers, 33 sisters), 14 seminarians

Pastoral Centres

Last updated on 2026.07.16

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