Diocese of

Santiago de Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde Cabo Verde

Continent: Western and Northern Africa

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Diocese Diocese

Name: Santiago de Cabo Verde (Português) / Sancti Iacobi Capitis Viridis (Latin)

Immediately subject to the Holy See

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Website:

Celebrations

Patron Saint: Saint James Minor (May 3)

Liturgical Calendar 📅

History

Papal Visits

Present Prelates

Bishop (2026.02.16 – ...):Bishop Teodoro Mendes Tavares, C.S.Sp. (62)Bishop Teodoro Mendes Tavares, C.S.Sp. (62)

Ordinaries

Bishops of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Roman Rite)

Bishop Teodoro Mendes Tavares, C.S.Sp. (62)Bishop Teodoro Mendes Tavares, C.S.Sp. (62)
(2026.02.16 – ...)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde)

Eis-me aqui

Born:1964.01.07 (São Miguel Arcanjo, Cabo Verde)
Ordained Priest:1993.07.11
Consecrated Bishop:2011.05.08

Titular Bishop of Verbe (2011.02.16 – 2015.06.10)

Auxiliary Bishop of Belém do Pará (Brazil) (2011.02.16 – 2015.06.10)

Coadjutor Bishop of Ponta de Pedras (Brazil) (2015.06.10 – 2015.09.23)

Bishop of Ponta de Pedras (Brazil) (2015.09.23 – 2026.02.16)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (2026.02.16 – ...)

Cardinal Arlindo Gomes Furtado (76)Cardinal Arlindo Gomes Furtado (76)
(2009.07.22 – 2026.02.16)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Timoteo
Bishop emeritus of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde)

Jesus, O Bom Pastor

Born:1949.11.15 (Figueira das Naus, Cabo Verde)
Ordained Priest:1976.07.18
Consecrated Bishop:2004.02.22
Created Cardinal:2015.02.14

Priest of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1976.07.18 – 2003.11.14)

Bishop of Mindelo (Cabo Verde) (2003.11.14 – 2009.07.22)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (2009.07.22 – 2026.02.16)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Timoteo (2015.02.14 [2015.05.10] – ...)

President of Conference of Bishops of Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau (2020.11.15 – 2024.11)

Bishop Paulino do Livramento Évora, C.S.Sp.
(1975.04.21 – 2009.07.22)

Serva do Senhor

Born:1931.06.22 (Praia, Cabo Verde)
Ordained Priest:1962.12.16
Consecrated Bishop:1975.06.01
Died:2019.06.16 (Praia, Cabo Verde † 87)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1975.04.21 – 2009.07.22)

Bishop José Filípe do Carmo Colaço
(1956.03.28 – 1975.04.21)

Born:1910.07.14 (Margão, Cabo Verde)
Ordained Priest:1934.09.22
Consecrated Bishop:1956.05.27
Died:1991.01.01 (Margao, India † 80)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1956.03.28 – 1975.04.21)

Bishop Faustino Moreira dos Santos, C.S.Sp.
(1941.01.28 – 1955.07.27)

Born:1885.05.29 (Gandra, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1909.10.29
Consecrated Bishop:1941.07.13
Died:1955.07.27 († 70)

Prefect Apostolic of Lower Congo in Cubango (Angola) (1919.06.01 – 1941.01.28)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1941.01.28 – 1955.07.27)

Bishop Joaquim Rafael Maria d’Assunçâo Pitinho, O.F.M.
(1935.11.15 – 1940.05.05)

Born:1874.08.08 (Varatojo, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1897.04.04
Consecrated Bishop:1921.05.31
Died:1959.11.22 (Lisboa, Portugal † 85)

Titular Bishop of Augusta (1920.12.16 – 1935.11.15)

Bishop-Prelate of Mozambique (Mozambique) (1920.12.16 – 1935.11.15)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1935.11.15 – 1940.05.05)

Titular Bishop of Limyra (1940.05.05 – 1959.11.22)

Bishop José Alves Martins
(1910.03.10 – 1935.11.15)

Born:1874.03.22 (Vergão, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1897.07.18
Consecrated Bishop:1910.07.03
Died:1950.04.14 († 76)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1910.03.10 – 1935.11.15)

Titular Bishop of Bela (1935.11.15 – 1950.04.14)

Bishop António Moutinho
(1904.11.14 – 1909.03.04)

Born:1862.12.27 (Águas Santas, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1885.09.19
Consecrated Bishop:1902.01.06
Died:1915.05.18 (Portalegre, Portugal † 52)

Titular Bishop of Argos (1901.08.18 – 1904.11.14)

Bishop-Prelate of Mozambique (Mozambique) (1901.08.18 – 1904.11.14)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1904.11.14 – 1909.03.04)

Bishop of Portalegre (Portugal) (1909.03.04 – 1915.05.18)

Bishop Joaquim Augusto de Barros
(1884.03.27 – 1904.03.01)

Born:1837.07.23 (Regoa, Portugal)
Consecrated Bishop:1884.05.18
Died:1904.03.01 (Alvações do Corgo, Portugal † 66)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1884.03.27 – 1904.03.01)

Bishop José Dias Correia de Carvalho
(1871.06.26 – 1883.08.09)

Born:1830.12.19 (Peso da Regua, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1854.06.10
Consecrated Bishop:1871.09.03
Died:1911.07.02 (Viseu, Portugal † 80)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1871.06.26 – 1883.08.09)

Bishop of Viseu (Portugal) (1883.08.09 – 1911.07.02)

Bishop José Luís Alves Feijó
(1865.09.25 – 1871.06.26)

Born:1816.01.08 (Freixo de Espada Ciutra, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1838.12.22
Consecrated Bishop:1865.11.12
Died:1874.11.07 (Bragança, Portugal † 58)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1865.09.25 – 1871.06.26)

Bishop of Bragança e Miranda (Portugal) (1871.06.26 – 1874.11.07)

Venerable Bishop João Crisóstomo de Amorim Pessoa (later Archbishop)
(1859.06.08 – 1861.03.22)

Born:1810.10.14 (Cantanhede, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1835.09.19
Consecrated Bishop:1860.08.26
Died:1888.12.22 (Patna, India † 78)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1859.06.08 – 1861.03.22)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Goa (India) (1861.03.22 – 1874.11.17)

Coadjutor Archbishop of Braga (Portugal) (1874.11.17 – 1876.11.27)

Apostolic Administrator of Aveiro (Portugal) (1876.11.27 – 1881.09.30)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Braga (Portugal) (1876.11.27 – 1883.04)

Archbishop.

Bishop Patrício Xavier de Moura
(1848.12.11 – 1859.04.15)

Born:1800.08.03 (Setúbal, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1823.02.09
Consecrated Bishop:1849.06.10
Died:1872.09.19 (Lisboa, Portugal † 72)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1848.12.11 – 1859.04.15)

Bishop of Funchal (Portugal) (1859.04.15 – 1872.09.19)

Bishop João Henriques Monis
(1845.11.24 – 1847.07.01)

Born:1790.07.16 (Funchal, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1816.03.09
Consecrated Bishop:1846.07.12
Died:1847.07.01 (Praia, Cabo Verde † 56)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1845.11.24 – 1847.07.01)

Bishop Jerónimo do Barco, O.F.M. Ref.
(1820.02.21 – 1831.12.27)

Born:1775 (Barco, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1798.12.22
Died:1852.06.30 († 76)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1820.02.21 – 1831.12.27)

Bishop Silvestre Santa Maria, O.F.M.
(1802.05.24 – 1813.11.22)

Born:1745.04.24 (Minde, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1769.05.20
Died:1813.11.22 (São Nicolau, Cabo Verde † 68)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1802.05.24 – 1813.11.22)

Bishop Cristoforo a São Boaventura, O.F.M.
(1785.02.14 – 1798.04.29)

Born:1728.11.16 (Guimaraes, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1752.12.26
Consecrated Bishop:1785.05.01
Died:1798.04.29 (São Nicolau, Cabo Verde † 69)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1785.02.14 – 1798.04.29)

Bishop Francisco de São Simão, O.F.M.
(1779.03.01 – 1783.08.10)

Born:1726.10.21? (Aguda, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1751.06.22
Consecrated Bishop:1779.04.18
Died:1783.08.10 (Ribeira da Prata, Cabo Verde † 56)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1779.03.01 – 1783.08.10)

Bishop Pedro Jacinto Valente
(1753.01.29 – 1774.01.19)

Born:1707.07.03? (Évora, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1731.09.22
Consecrated Bishop:1753.07.25
Died:1774.01.19 (Santo Antão, Cabo Verde † 66)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1753.01.29 – 1774.01.19)

Bishop João de Moreira, O.F.M.
(1742.11.26 – 1747.08.13)

Born:1688.03.25? (Pinheiro, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1712.05.21
Consecrated Bishop:1743.02.17
Died:1747.08.13 (Cidade Velha, Cabo Verde † 59)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1742.11.26 – 1747.08.13)

Bishop João de Faro, O.F.M.
(1738.09.03 – 1741.07.21)

Born:1676.01.20 (Faro, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1701.07.16
Consecrated Bishop:1738.10.05
Died:1741.07.21 (CA, Guinea-Bissau † 65)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1738.09.03 – 1741.07.21)

Bishop José a Santa Maria de Jesus Azevedo Leal, O.F.M.
(1721.02.12 – 1736.06.07)

Born:1670.11.08 (Évora, Portugal)
Consecrated Bishop:1721.06.08
Died:1736.06.07 (Xabregas, Portugal † 65)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1721.02.12 – 1736.06.07)

Bishop Francisco a São Agostinho, T.O.R.
(1708.09.24 – 1719.05.08)

Born:1647.11.03? (Loures, Portugal)
Ordained Priest:1670.11.30
Consecrated Bishop:1709.01.20
Died:1719.05.08 (Praia, Cabo Verde † 71)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1708.09.24 – 1719.05.08)

Bishop Victorino do Porto, O.F.M.
(1687.05.12 – 1705.01.21)

Born:1650? (Porto, Portugal)
Consecrated Bishop:1687.09.14
Died:1705.01.21 (Ribeira Grande, Cabo Verde † 54)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1687.05.12 – 1705.01.21)

Bishop Antonio de São Dionysio, O.F.M.
(1675.12.02 – 1684.09.13)

Born:1616? (Freguesia de Marecos, Portugal)
Consecrated Bishop:1676
Died:1684.09.13 (Ribeira Grande, Cabo Verde † 67)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1675.12.02 – 1684.09.13)

Bishop Fabio dos Reis Fernandes, O. Carm.
(1672.05.16 – 1674.02.08)

Born:1601? (Campo Grande, Portugal)
Consecrated Bishop:1672.09.11
Died:1674.02.08 (Ribeira Grande, Cabo Verde † 72)

Bishop of Cochin (India) (1672 – 1672.05.16▼)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1672.05.16 – 1674.02.08)

Bishop Lorenzo Garro
(1625.08.18 – 1646.11.01)

Born:1565? (Tomar, Portugal)
Died:1646.11.01 (Ribeira Grande, Portugal † 80)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1625.08.18 – 1646.11.01)

Bishop Manuel Afonso de Guerra
(1616.02.24 – 1624.03.08)

Born:1572? (Guimarães, Portugal)
Died:1624.03.08 (Ribeira Grande, Portugal † 51)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1616.02.24 – 1624.03.08)

Bishop Sebastião de Ascensão, O.P.
(1611.04.18 – 1614.03.18)

Born:1561? (Freguesia de Pinheiro da Bemposta, Portugal)
Consecrated Bishop:1611.06.26
Died:1614.03.18 (Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Cabo Verde † 52)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1611.04.18 – 1614.03.18)

Bishop Luis Pereira de Miranda
(1608.11.10 – 1610.05)

Born:1558 (Moita, Portugal)
Consecrated Bishop:1609
Died:1610.05 (Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Cabo Verde † 51)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1608.11.10 – 1610.05)

Bishop Pedro Brandão, O. Carm.
(1588.08.08 – 1608.07.14)

Ordained Priest:1556.01.26
Consecrated Bishop:1588.12?
Died:1608.07.14 (Telleiras, Spain)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1588.08.08 – 1608.07.14)

Bishop Bartolomeu Leitão
(1572.02.06 – 1587.02.09)

Born: (Freguesia de Entradas, Portugal)
Died:1587.02.09 (Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Cabo Verde)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1572.02.06 – 1587.02.09)

Bishop Francisco de la Cruz, O.E.S.A.
(1553.08.18 – 1571.03)

Born:1513? (Vila Viçosa, Portugal)
Died:1574.03.19 (Ribeira Grande, Cabo Verde † 60)

Titular Bishop of Hippo Regius (1545.07.03 – 1553.08.18)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1553.08.18 – 1571.03)

Bishop João Parvi
(1538.09.23 – 1546.11.29)

Born:1480 (Bayonne, France)
Died:1546.11.29 (Ribeira Grande, Portugal † 65)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1538.09.23 – 1546.11.29)

Bishop Braz Neto, O.F.M.
(1533.01.31 – 1538.02.09)

Born:1480? (Braga, Portugal)
Died:1538.02.09 († 57)

Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde (Cabo Verde) (1533.01.31 – 1538.02.09)

Special Churches

Mindelo (↖), Dakar (→)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 1,832 km²

Population: 447,300 Catholics (95.4% of 468,890 total)

Pastoral Centres: 26 parishes, 150 missions

Personnel: 49 priests (31 diocesan, 18 religious), 14 deacons, 145 religious (35 brothers, 110 sisters), 12 seminarians

Population

Pastoral Centres

Priests

Deacons

Religious

Seminarians

Last updated on 2026.02.19

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