Apostolic prefecture Sahara Occidental, Western Sahara
Apostolic Prefecture of Sahara Occidental
de Sahara Occidentali
Latin Church
Latin-rite apostolic prefecture covering the entire territory of Western Sahara, one of the most religiously homogeneous regions in the world, where the Catholic community is a few hundred mostly expatriate faithful in two parishes. Its principal church is the St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in El-Aaiun (Laayoune). Fr. Mario Leon Dorado, O.M.I., has been apostolic prefect since June 2013.
On the map
Every see on one map: browse the dioceses. Churches with recorded hours: find Mass times.
- Established
- 1976
Parishes and churches
2 listed churches in our records. Open a parish for Mass times, confession, directions and sources where recorded.
- St. Francis of Assisi CathedralEl Aaiún (Laayoune) · CathedralView parish
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel ChurchDakhlaView parish
This is our recorded coverage, not an official diocesan parish count. Confirm service times with the parish before travelling.
The bishop
- Prefect Apostolic
- Mario Leon Dorado, O.M.I.
Explore the ministry of the bishop.
The cathedral
St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, El-Aaiun stands in Sahara Occidental, the church that holds the cathedra from which this see takes its name.
On what a cathedral is, see the cathedral; every see church on earth is gathered at the cathedrals.
History
In Western Sahara, the Catholic Church, particularly through the Latin Church, forms part of the worldwide communion under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome.