Diocese of Bafia

---

Bishop(s) Jean-Marie Benoît Balla, Bishop Athanase Bala, C.S.Sp., Bishop Emeritus

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Elevated: 11 January 1968 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Yaoundé Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Cameroon Square Kilometers: 34,615 (13,370 Square Miles) Mailing Address: Eveche, B.P. 70, Bafia, Cameroun Telephone: 228.52.91 Fax: 228.52.68

Historical Details

• Prefecture Apostolic of Bafia
  • Latin Name: Bafiensis
  • Erected: 6 July 1965
  • Prefecture
  • Country: Cameroon

---

Past and Present Ordinaries

• André Charles Lucien Loucheur, C.S.Sp. † (14 Jul 1965 Appointed - 21 Dec 1977 Resigned)
• Athanase Bala, C.S.Sp. (21 Dec 1977 Succeeded - 3 May 2003 Retired)
• Jean-Marie Benoît Balla (3 May 2003 Appointed - )

---

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Bafia
6 July 1965	Erected	Archdiocese of Yaoundé	Prefecture Apostolic of Bafia (erected)
Diocese of Bafia
11 January 1968	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Bafia	Diocese of Bafia

---

Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Diocese of Bafia
1970	53,308	153,417	34.7%		19	19	2,805		24	49	54	ap1971
1980	76,555	215,055	35.6%	4	22	26	2,944		30	66	15	ap1981
1990	89,414	273,000	32.8%	7	11	18	4,967		14	45	18	ap1991
1999	130,400	301,750	43.2%	10	8	18	7,244		14	44	15	ap2000
2000	131,430	307,700	42.7%	11	9	20	6,571		16	47	15	ap2001
2001	143,258	321,480	44.6%	14	7	21	6,821		16	47	15	ap2002
2002	197,054	325,000	60.6%	14	7	21	9,383		11	46	15	ap2003
2003	197,100	330,000	59.7%	13	7	20	9,855		12	45	15	ap2004
2004	202,953	400,000	50.7%	14	8	22	9,225		11	33	21	ap2005
2006	209,360	411,540	50.9%	15	12	27	7,754		25	48	23	ap2007

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

---

Affiliated Bishops, Living

• Athanase Bala, C.S.Sp. (Coadjutor Bishop: 31 May 1976; Bishop: 21 Dec 1977 to 3 May 2003)
• Jean-Marie Benoît Balla (Bishop: 3 May 2003 - )

  ---

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• André Charles Lucien Loucheur, C.S.Sp. † (Prefect: 14 Jul 1965; Bishop: 11 Jan 1968 to 21 Dec 1977)